Lawmaker Urges Government to Speed Up Local Exam Fraud Cases
A Thai lawmaker has criticized the government for failing to make progress on a local exam fraud scandal involving 4.5 billion baht in losses, with no charges filed or witness summons issued a month after the scheme was exposed despite clai
At 2 p.m. on July 16, 2025, at parliament, Phakamon Hunnanon, a list-system MP from Pheu Thai and chair of the House committee on political development, public media, and citizen participation, expressed disappointment at a committee meeting reviewing allegations of fraud in local government examinations. The committee had invited representatives from the Central Investigation Police, the Ministry of Interior, Srinakharinwirot University (SWRU), and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to brief lawmakers.
Hunnanon said the meeting was deeply disappointing because the agencies presented had made no progress whatsoever. Although the Ministry of Interior has established a task force and the Prime Minister said there was no favoritism, the investigation must be pursued to the root. However, the committee found that no charges have been filed against anyone beyond three names already public, and not even witness summons have been issued.
"This is the most shocking thing—nearly a month has passed since the local exam fraud scandal broke. What is happening? Why hasn't a single charge been filed? The most disappointing part today is that AMLO confirmed no request for financial tracking has been sent to them," Hunnanon said.
She noted that the alleged fraud caused 4.5 billion baht in losses. While all agencies claimed public action, AMLO confirmed no one has requested financial trace records. This creates a false impression of progress when legal action may be impossible due to delays. Police stated no charges have been filed; the Ministry of Interior cited charges without naming individuals and provided no information to police. Therefore, it will likely be difficult to see this case reach a conclusion.
Hunnanon questioned whether the Prime Minister's claim of "no rigging" was credible. Evidence showed uniformed officers altering exam papers, a clear offense that police and the National Anti-Corruption Commission could prosecute immediately. Yet no charges have been filed—not even witness summons issued. She demanded the government explain what the public actions were about and why no legal proceedings have begun.
Hunnanon also questioned whether authorities were hesitant due to fear that pursuing the case would uncover a larger scandal. AMLO remains waiting for relevant agencies to request financial trace records. Critically, as AMLO falls under the Prime Minister's supervision, she questioned why a major corruption case has seen no financial investigation one month in—and where the suspects have been transferred in the interim.
