PM Orders Probe into Local Government Exam Fraud

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has set up a committee to investigate alleged fraud in the 2025 local government recruitment examinations. Government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said the committee is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt, with Justice Minister Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon Naowarat serving as deputy chair. The panel will examine the allegations and their legal implications, and must submit its findings to the prime minister within 30 days from July 6, with progress reports every 10 days. Ms Rachada said the investigation would be conducted transparently and its findings used to strengthen safeguards against future exam fraud and restore public confidence in the civil service. Mr Pakorn said the Civil Service Commission had approved five measures to combat cheating in civil service entrance examinations nationwide. The proposals, which will be submitted to the cabinet for approval, would disqualify candidates found to have cheated, place them on a blacklist, and revoke their examination certificates. Civil servants found to have cheated before entering the service would also face dismissal. The measures also call for a central blacklist shared among government agencies and expanded powers for the Office of the Civil Service Commission to revoke examination certificates in specified cases. The commission also approved a three-phase reform plan in cooperation with the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Anti-Money Laundering Office. The reforms will be introduced in three phases: new disqualification criteria and disciplinary standards within one year; full digitisation of the aptitude test and the launch of the blacklist system within three years; and legislation within five years to criminalise organised examination cheating and recover salaries and benefits paid to fraudulently appointed officials. Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liangprasit said the review of answer sheets and examination results for more than 15,000 candidates was expected to be completed soon. He said candidates who were properly appointed would not be affected, while disciplinary and criminal action would be taken against those involved in the alleged fraud.