Local Government Exam Fraud: Five Officials Disciplined

On July 2, 2026, at Government House, Santhithorn Yimlamnai, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and chair of the fact-finding committee investigating the local government exam fraud, announced the committee's findings. Following orders from the Prime Minister, the committee conducted a comprehensive investigation including witness testimonies and interviews with nearly 15 involved parties, as well as consultation with IT specialists.

During examination of answer sheets from 10 test centers, the committee discovered that the contractor failed to promptly submit digital images of answer sheet files upon completion of answer evaluation. Random inspections of flash drives stored at the Department of Local Administration containing all photographed answer sheets and score announcements revealed significant discrepancies: of 79 sampled cases, 48 showed mismatches between scores on answer sheet copies and the scoring evaluation files. Score alterations were found in both Section A and Section B, with Section A scores exceeding 60 percent and Section B reaching as high as 90 percent.

Additionally, the contractor failed to provide processed exam data on flash drives for Sections A and B to the Central Examination Committee for Local Government Employees (CGCLE), the legally designated overseer of this exam. Evidence from digital forensics experts indicated that even after the CGCLE reviewed Section C results, unauthorized data modifications occurred before the results were officially published in the information system.

"Those involved include Department of Local Administration personnel, the contractor, and external private entities, as well as individuals yet to be identified. We will pursue disciplinary action against five Department of Local Administration officials with sufficient grounds to be charged with misconduct," the Deputy Permanent Secretary stated.