PM Plans To Suspend Pay For 5,000 Over Exam Fraud
Thailand's Prime Minister announced plans to suspend salaries for around 5,000 local government employees whose exam scores were fraudulently altered, with investigations revealing organized cheating among 15,000 newly appointed officials.
At a government house press conference on July 7, 2025, Prime Minister Anuthim Charnweerakul and Interior Minister revealed that the Department of Local Administration discovered around 5,000 cases where announced exam scores did not match the actual answer sheet scans among approximately 15,000 candidates already appointed to local government positions. The PM characterized the findings as reflecting organized cheating and said the government would use the Interior Ministry permanent secretary's authority to suspend salaries of those already hired. He stated that if candidates' appointments were obtained through fraudulent means, the government can revoke their appointments and demand repayment of salaries without waiting for court proceedings. The PM confirmed that all 400,000 candidates from the 2568 local government exam will be audited, with the National Anti-Corruption Commission, state anti-corruption agency, and Special Cases Investigation Department already investigating. He noted that high-ranking officials and Nonthaburi province officials are under investigation for altering scores, with some suspects currently evading authorities.
