Prime Minister Vows Swift Action on Local Official Exam Fraud

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has strongly condemned the corruption scandal in local government official examinations, describing it as deeply troubling and damaging to public confidence. Speaking at the Ministry of Interior on September 17, he stated that the case undermines trust in the system and that external parties have been implicated in the fraud network. Anutin emphasized that the public has already passed judgment on the matter and vowed that his administration will pursue all wrongdoers without fear or favor.

Anutin declared that officials found to have violated the law must be expeditiously removed from civil service, not merely transferred to other positions. He stressed that disciplinary action must be completed before any routine reassignments, and that misconduct must be dealt with harshly because it represents theft of public resources. The Prime Minister rejected any notion that the investigation should be delayed or that any individual should be shielded, warning that counter-lawsuits would only serve to expose the full truth under legal protection.

Stating that responsibility means accepting both criticism and consequences, Anutin characterized the scandal as shocking and unacceptable under his watch as Minister of Interior. He has directed the Ministry to pursue all leads and expand investigations to recover stolen assets, noting that over 380 million baht has already been seized from external actors involved. Anutin firmly rejected requests to extend the deadline, insisting that the case must be resolved by September 30 and that no consideration will be given to connections or influence within the ranks.