Nearly 4,000 Local Officials Implicated in Exam Cheating Scandal

Nearly 4,000 officials currently employed by local administrative units nationwide are suspected of having engaged in cheating during last year's personnel recruitment examinations. Latest investigation results from a central committee under the Department of Local Administration indicate that out of nearly 280,000 exam takers, 5,925 were found to have cheated. Of these, 3,958 have already been employed by various municipalities and sub-district administrations, known as Or Bor Tor, across the provinces. According to Deputy Interior Undersecretary Nirat Pongsitthithaworn, who also serves as the acting chief of the Department of Local Administration, all suspected cheaters will have their employment terminated. They will also be required to return their monthly salaries and entitlement payments in full. It is believed that each suspected cheater may have paid up to 700,000 baht in exchange for falsified exam papers or qualifications. Individuals covertly involved in the fraud conspiracy and those who may have received payoff cash, collectively amounting to billions of baht, remain at large. Concerns are prevalent that only the "small fish" among the beneficiaries of kickbacks will likely be sacrificed, while high-ranking government officials and politicians at provincial and national levels may remain untouched. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who concurrently holds the position of Interior Minister, has stated that progress has been made by the department's central committee to bring corrupt elements to justice. Amidst the scandal last month, the Prime Minister, acting as Interior Minister, ordered the transfer of the Department of Local Administration director-general to an inactive position within the Ministry of Interior.