Former councillor calls for anti-corruption probe into school ‘tea money’ claim

He provided evidence that included a photo of Bt300,000 in cash placed next to a brown envelope on which was written “For the development of Samsen Wittayalai School From [the male student’s name].” 
Chana claimed that the photo was taken in early April before 60 successful candidates, who were children of people who made continuous contributions to the school, were selected. 
He claimed this photo was taken at the same time that a video clip used in accusing Wiroj was recorded. The clip went viral in Thai social media.
Chana said he had acted as a mediator between a parent and the school director in negotiations to admit children via the special quota. 
He claimed that the parent filled Bt300,000 in a donation form, which got the school director’s approval mark signifying eligibility before the list of successful candidates was announced. He said the photo was taken because there was no receipt for the payment. 
Chana said that in his experience of mediating such negotiations since 1976 he had never seen anyone pay that much without a receipt, until this school director came into the position late last year. 
He said the lack of receipts made him worried that the money would not go to the school but into the pockets of the man or a group. 
He said that most children going in via the special quota system involved talks and said that the viral video clip was only part of a 20-minute recording which included the footage of the school director taking the money envelope. He said the full clip would also be submitted to the PACC. 
He also urged the Education Ministry to transfer Wiroj as this case should be probed with transparency, He claimed more parents and alumnus would also submit evidence.
Earlier on Tuesday, Wiroj admitted being the person in the video clip but insisted that he did not receive the “tea money” and claimed the seemingly well-planned clip might be doctored. Wiroj also filed a libel complaint at Bang Sue Police against his accuser and submitted the video clip as evidence. 
The Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) chief Karun Sakulpradit said the two fact-finding committees – one set up by Bangkok’s Secondary Educational Service Area Office 1 and the other set up by Obec – would be able to provide a result by June 22 when further action would be considered.
Samsen Wittayalai School’s Alumni Association issued a second statement on Wednesday claiming that there had been meetings of some teachers, parents and alumnus to pass on the not-yet-confirmed information which could cause chaos and disunity within the school. 
It also claimed there were reports of attempts to adjust financial documents and related papers, which would affect the fact-finding process. 
The association called on the Prime Minister, Education Ministry and Obec executives to transfer the accused school director and those involved to make way for a transparent completion of the probe.