Parliament Panel Probes Local Exam Fraud at Interior Ministry Budget Hearing
A parliamentary committee pressed the Interior Ministry to remove over 5,000 civil servants involved in local exam cheating and questioned millions in spending on ineffective drug rehabilitation programs.
On July 23, 2570, a special parliamentary committee met to review the fiscal 2570 budget bill for the Ministry of Interior, chaired by Deputy Committee Chairman Anuruk Chureemasb (Pheu Thai, Roi Et). The committee raised questions about ministry administration, including progress on corruption investigations into local government staff and employee exam fraud, as well as the 11-year administrative center construction project that has faced repeated delays and budget adjustments totaling nearly 9 billion baht.
Committee member Surachesat Prawinwongwut (Pheu Thai list MP) challenged the permanent secretary to act decisively on removing over 5,000 civil servants implicated in the local exam cheating scheme, saying: "Don't fear whether the boss will like you or get angry—stand firm on principle, or you yourself will suffer the consequences." Meanwhile, MP Sirikanya Thansakul raised alarm at the cascade of scandals plaguing the Interior Ministry since the government took office, from staff transfers to the exam fraud and ongoing controversies. She also questioned millions in off-budget training fees and questioned why a drug rehabilitation program allocated 300 million baht would only deliver nine-day treatment courses when effective rehabilitation requires months or years.
