PM Urged to Reconsider Governor's Promotion Amid Exam Fraud Allegations

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is facing calls to reconsider a planned promotion of Somchai Leelanoi, the current provincial governor of Nakhon Si Thammarat, to the directorship of a major agency under the Ministry of Interior. The appeal comes amid suspicions of his involvement in a government examination fraud conspiracy. Pukkamon Nunarnan, a Member of Parliament for the People’s Party and concurrently chair of the House Committee on Political Development, Mass Media & Public Participation, urged the Prime Minister, who also serves as Interior Minister, to carefully review the speculated appointment. She highlighted that several individuals with the same surname as the governor were among those found to have cheated in last year's government exams, leading to the rescission of their employment contracts. According to Pukkamon, if the governor is appointed to a position with significant authority, such as the Director-General of the Department of Lands, there is a risk of power abuse for personal or partisan gain. She cited the potential for land title deeds to be issued in exchange for kickbacks to corrupt officials. The MP also called on Prime Minister Anutin to uphold his promise to bring all government officials and others suspected of involvement in the exam fraud conspiracy to justice. She specifically mentioned the case of Narucha Kosacivilize, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, who allegedly instructed a subordinate to support the ruling Bhumjaithai Party during the election campaign. Narucha is considered a protégé of the party's de facto leader and is rumored to be slated for promotion to Deputy Interior Minister. Information source: Thai Newsroom