Thai Education Office Defends Laos Tour as Voluntary, Private Funded

The Surin Secondary Education Area Office has defended a planned Laos tour costing 8,500 baht per person, stating that all participants are volunteering and funding the trip themselves with no connection to government budget. An anti-corruption Facebook page had alleged that school principals were being required to join the tour, scheduled for July 24-27, and were being told not to use official travel authorization, with each person paying 8,500 baht.

Surin SEAO director Chavalit Jencharin clarified that the activity is not an official government function but rather an event organized by the Surin Secondary School Administrators Association and uses no state budget. As a result, the education office does not permit official travel documentation; administrators wishing to participate must use personal leave. The office is currently processing leave requests and has not yet approved anyone to travel, as all applications must be carefully reviewed according to civil service regulations.

Bunsak Boonchoong, chairman of the Surin Secondary School Administrators Association, explained that the trip is organized to honor retired school administrators and is a tradition the association has maintained for many years. All participants are volunteers with no coercion involved, and each person contributes 8,500 baht in personal funds with no involvement of government budget.

Patipol Jamlang, one of the participating school principals, stated that the invitation letter is merely a request for cooperation and does not mandate or force any administrator's participation. He called on the public to hear from all sides before forming judgments or criticism.