Parliament Panel Probes Local Exam Fraud, Eyes Political Links
A parliamentary committee is investigating widespread fraud in local government exams from 2567-2569, with evidence suggesting political figures orchestrated the scheme beyond individual corruption, including a controversial contract transf
At a parliamentary meeting on August 19, Rangsimant Rom, deputy leader of the People's Party and chair of the Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee, discussed a major agenda item concerning fraud allegations in local government exams from 2567-2569. The committee has summoned officials and agencies for questioning, including the Prime Minister, the Secretary-General of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Commander of the Central Investigation Police, deputy governors, university rectors, and officials connected to the exam irregularities.
Rangsimant said evidence suggests the fraud goes beyond civil servants and involves political figures, particularly regarding a decision to transfer the exam administration from Burapha University to Srinakharinwirot University. The change involved drafting a Terms of Reference with political involvement, and officials including Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and officials from the Department of Local Administration have been mentioned in connection with cancelling the contract with Burapha University.
The committee is seeking to determine whether the fraud was isolated to individual officials or part of a coordinated scheme, and whether it involves multiple political parties. Officials Somsak Thongsri, Deputy Prime Minister and former Interior Minister, and Tongchaem Chaatikitcharoen, an advisor to the Prime Minister, have been invited to clarify their knowledge of the scheme. Rangsimant noted that while the front-facing aspects of the corruption may be clear, the "behind-the-scenes" involvement remains under investigation and could reveal deeper political manipulation in the exam fraud case.
