At 1:15 p.m. on July 15th at the Department of Local Administration, Deputy Interior Minister Artsit Samphantharat disclosed findings from the 8th 2025 meeting of the Central Local Government Employee Examination Committee. He reported that the Prime Minister is concerned about the fraud allegations and has directed a complete and transparent inquiry. Examination Committee Chairman Wanchai Chanthaprom attended the meeting in person alongside multiple committee members.

Artsit stated that the committee received a comparison report of raw scores and announced scores from the Department of Local Administration, conducted jointly with the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). The review identified 5,814 candidates with irregular scores, divided into three groups:

– Group One: Approximately 3,000 candidates with clearly inflated scores – Group Two: Approximately 1,000 candidates who already had good scores but showed further suspicious increases – Group Three: Approximately 400 candidates with only a one-point difference but unclear answer sheets

Artsit stated the committee agreed to submit all 5,814 names to the central authority, which has legal power to decide whether to revoke their appointments. He emphasized that the central committee holds final decision-making power, while the separate July 23rd meeting of the three local government organizations—provincial administration, municipality, and subdistrict councils—will decide independently based on all available information. Final revocation orders must come from each candidate's employing local government organization leader.

When asked about promoting alternate candidates to replace those possibly revoked, Artsit said all answer sheets must be recounted first since they are held by the PACC, and any additional irregularities found would be prosecuted. Those not yet appointed face no impact, but will be hired according to qualification ranking when positions open from revocations.

Regarding salary recovery from revoked appointees, Artsit said that decision lies with the Department of Local Administration. On whether the 50,000 candidates hired in 2568 should be retroactively reviewed, he noted the PACC's investigation is ongoing with arrests already made, and any connections to past exams would depend on investigation findings. If any agency or individuals are implicated, the PACC will notify them.

Artsit also noted that the secretary of the Serious Discipline Examination Committee, who was initially appointed to the investigation committee before the PACC's involvement, has already withdrawn to maintain impartiality and will have no further role.

On July 15, 2026, Wanchai Chanphorn, chair of the Central Examination Committee for Local Government Personnel (CGCEP), stated that the 17-member central committee has attempted to conduct the process with utmost integrity and fairness. With 438,277 applicants, the committee held 20 meetings to ensure the exam remained free from corruption and prevented wrongdoers from entering public service. However, irregularities were discovered involving answer sheets and data alterations. Wanchai clarified that such information does not remain with the central committee but with the contracted parties, who must explain how these deficiencies occurred.

When asked if the CGCEP members themselves are under investigation by the NACC, Wanchai emphasized that the 17 committee members are not suspects but have been summoned to provide information about oversight procedures and how breaches occurred. The NACC sought details on how the committee monitored the examination process and where defects originated.

Before results were announced, the CGCEP held two meetings reviewing score accuracy and investigating fraud allegations, with one six-hour session needed to approve results. The contracted university representatives, authorized by their rectors, presented processes for all 105 nationwide positions. Wanchai noted that contracted parties must follow all contractual steps and the terms of reference, submitting documents for verification.

Flash drives sent to the committee under contract terms were classified as backup data and kept highly confidential to address problems. Initially, the committee could not access these files per contract specifications. When irregularities were discovered, an inspection committee was established, revealing approximately 5,000 problematic cases. Wanchai expressed surprise at the scale of anomalies and categorized them into three groups: approximately 3,600 cases where scores dropped but results were still announced, and cases where actual exam scores differed significantly from announced results.

AIS and Bangkok Land have announced a strategic partnership to upgrade the Muang Thong area—spanning over 4,000 rai—into Thailand's prototype smart city using 5G, broadband, and enterprise solutions. Under the concept "Muang Thong NEXT: The Smart & Connected City," the collaboration aims to transform Muang Thong from a national event and conference hub into a connectivity hub that integrates all urban ecosystems including residential living, workplaces, education, entertainment, business, events, transportation, security, and future economic opportunities.

AIS will provide network capabilities, technology, and digital platforms across multiple dimensions. These include nationwide 5G-Advanced coverage using frequency aggregation to boost speed and strength while reducing latency, supporting dense usage in large venues and concerts; upgrading households to Smart Living with AIS 3BB Fibre3 and WiFi 7 standards for smart homes, remote work, and telemedicine; delivering business transformation through Hyper Connectivity, Sovereign Cloud, Data Center, and AI Solutions; and enhancing IMPACT's concert and event experiences with WiFi and connectivity systems supporting thousands of attendees, plus 5G VIP Ultra and Boost Mode services.

The digital infrastructure will extend to comprehensive smart city management, including AI CCTV, Smart Access, Digital Signage, Smart Meters, IoT, digital payments, data analytics, virtual classrooms, and cyber security. Data from conference centers, business zones, residences, retail, schools, security agencies, and public spaces will feed into a Smart City Data Platform and Digital Twin, enabling real-time city oversight, traffic and energy planning, and enhanced safety management for citizens, businesses, and communities.

A curry vendor in Trang Province has criticized the government's proposed 40-baht rice-and-curry scheme, arguing it is a superficial fix that ignores regional cost differences and ingredient price hikes. Orauma Sritep, owner of Ran Yae Sip curry shop, sells curry for 20 baht per bag and single-dish rice curries for 20 baht, with two dishes for just 25 baht per plate. Under the current "Thai Helping Thai Plus" initiative, customers pay only 8 baht per bag of curry.

She expressed skepticism about the 40-baht rice-curry program, saying that even with state subsidies for ingredients, the government cannot pull it off. She cited past failed interventions—from tuk-tuk regulations to coconut price controls—as proof that the government struggles to solve deep-rooted problems. Ingredient costs have spiked sharply: her daily food preparation, which once cost 4,000 baht, now costs 5,000 baht, with separate expenses for spices and seasonings. Coconut milk and eggs in particular have become expensive.

She argued the 40-baht scheme treats only the symptom, not the cause. Since she already sells curry cheaper than the government's proposed price, she doubts the plan will work. The real solution, she said, would be for the state to lower the price of raw ingredients, gas, water, electricity, and fuel. If ingredient costs fall, vendors naturally pass savings to customers. But mandating a 40-baht price with state compensation won't work because ingredient costs vary by region and supplier.

Nitya Rodsatung, another curry vendor, said she would not join the program even if it existed. With ingredient prices rising across the board—particularly fish like grouper at 200 baht per kilogram—she cannot sell curry for 40 baht per serving. Moreover, curry prices naturally fluctuate daily based on cost; vendors charge anywhere from 30 to 60 baht per bag depending on ingredients.

On July 15 at 1:30 p.m., DSI officers brought Theeraphong, known as Coach James, to the Ratchadaphisek Criminal Court for detention after completing his interrogation. He faces charges under arrest warrant 4028/2569 issued July 13 for defrauding investors in foreign exchange trading.

When questioned about his investment advice, Coach James maintained that most of the financial flows involved were his own money deposited for trading. Regarding viral video clips showing him promoting "ALL IN" strategies, he denied guaranteeing returns, stating that investors must study and trade themselves. He insisted he never told people to sell cars or homes to go all-in, but rather suggested reinvesting profits within a trading portfolio. He characterized his work as education rather than solicitation and requested fair treatment while rejecting all charges.

The DSI reported that Coach James is a well-known short-term trading coach with hundreds of thousands of social media followers. He acted as an introducing broker (IB), taught trading strategies for companies within trading networks, and encouraged participation in foreign exchange investments promising returns exceeding legal interest rate caps. He faces charges including conspiracy to defraud the public and operating as an unlicensed securities broker.

The 'Angel of Stray Dogs' decided to sell her golden Buddha frame as a final option to support over 1,700 stray dogs and cats, with monthly costs approaching one million baht. She disclosed that she was previously a multimillionaire but lost her entire fortune to employee fraud, which became widely publicized.

Kramjao Winidtaopatham and her son traveled from Mueang District in Saraburi, bringing the golden Buddha frame to sell to Namo Banchangtong after redeeming it from a pawn shop, where it had been mortgaged for 100,000 baht due to inability to pay interest. She explained that she currently supports only 1,700 dogs in shelters, down from the previous number, and still pays staff to prepare food for the stray animals, resulting in substantial expenses.

She attributed the need to sell the Buddha frame to lack of funds for caring for the animals. Previously, she possessed hundreds of millions of baht in the form of two concrete mixer truck companies with 280 vehicles total, but lost everything to employee fraud over five years with nothing remaining.

She has cared for stray dogs and cats since 2002, spanning 24 years. Previously, she spent 600,000-700,000 baht monthly with over 2,000 animals. When funds were available, she didn't worry as the companies generated approximately 20 million baht monthly, allocating 1.2 million baht for animal care including medical treatment and spaying. Currently, the royal household assists with 100,000 baht monthly against expenses of 600,000-700,000 baht.

The golden Buddha frame, previously housed at Wat Rakhang, was sold for 3 million baht to a renowned Buddha amulet collector. Additionally, she holds numerous pawn tickets which she abandoned as she couldn't pay interest. Namo Banchangtong promised to help settle the pawn tickets and assist with remaining funds. The Buddha frame ultimately sold for 122,938 baht after being melted down.