Local Official Arrested in 155-Million-Baht Exam Cheating Scheme
Anti-Corruption Commission officers arrested the mayor of Tambon Administrative Organization Baan Yai in Nakhon Nayok for her role in a 155‑million‑baht scheme that sold fake placements in local government exams. The network collected payments from hopeful candidates, submitted 1,738 names, but only 108 passed the test. Investigators traced the money through several intermediaries, leading to the mayor’s arrest on October 8, 2026.
In January 2024, complainant Anan was approached by the scheme and urged to apply for a competitive exam to become a government or local administration employee, with the promise that his name could be placed through Nattaphat, alias “Noi”, in exchange for a payment of 350,000 baht. He later sat for the exam for the position of revenue collection officer, ranked first, and was appointed to work at Phatthalung Municipality. However, his name was later removed from the eligible list and he lost the position according to an announcement by the Central Local Government Personnel Examination Committee dated August 7, 2026. Afterward, Anan learned that the 350,000 baht he had paid had been forwarded to Nang Phanee, also known as Nayakor, but the promised outcome did not materialize. He filed a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Commission’s investigation unit to pursue legal action against those involved. Investigators from Division 5 of the Anti-Corruption Commission gathered evidence and interviewed witnesses, including Praviwat, alias “Sei Heng”, who had already been arrested and charged in the case. He stated that he had introduced Nattaphat to individuals interested in taking the local government exam and connected them with the group led by Atthaphon, alias “Victor”, and Anurak, alias “Tor”, former Department of Special Investigation officers, both of whom have also been arrested and charged. Investigation revealed that a list of 1,738 individuals wishing to sit for the exam had been submitted, with a deposit of 100 million baht agreed upon. Nattaphat had paid 20 million baht to the Atthaphon‑Anurak group on December 5 and 6, 2025. Later, doubting that the group could actually secure placements, Nattaphat switched to dealing with Nang Phanee, whom he had known for over 20 years, paying her 80 million baht, bringing the total to the agreed 100 million baht. After the exam results were announced, only 108 of the 1,738 candidates passed. Nang Phanee then contacted Nattaphat to deduct the amounts relating to the failed candidates and to redirect the remaining funds to administer the exam in the southern region instead. Nattaphat consequently compiled a list of 602 individuals who wished to receive assistance with the exam in the southern region and
