Thailand moves against 5,925 after local exam fraud probe

Thailand has removed all 5,925 people found to have benefited from manipulated scores in the 2025 local government recruitment examination, with authorities preparing further disciplinary and criminal proceedings, including discussions on recovering salaries and benefits paid to those affected.

Worasit Liangprasit, deputy interior minister, gave details on Wednesday (September 3) regarding the cancellation of appointments involving candidates whose competitive examination scores had been altered to help them pass the recruitment process for local government officials and employees.

He said the Ministry of Interior had taken action from the beginning of the recruitment process to ensure transparency after public complaints raised concerns over possible irregularities and alleged demands for benefits.

Investigation led to tighter exam safeguards

The recruitment process began in early 2024, when authorities sought a contractor to organise the examination.

Burapha University was initially selected as the successful bidder. However, before the contract was signed, members of the public from Si Sa Ket province submitted complaints alleging irregularities and possible misconduct.

The Interior Ministry then coordinated with relevant agencies, including the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) and the Anti-Corruption Division of the Central Investigation Bureau, to establish preventive measures.

A fact-finding committee was also formed, alongside a memorandum of understanding to allow partner agencies to monitor the examination process at every stage.

The committee proposed three key measures: using the Civil Service Commission’s Section A examination results, strengthening anti-corruption safeguards and involving partner agencies in oversight.

The Department of Local Administration approved the enhanced measures and expanded monitoring framework.

Contract changed through official process

Worasit said the additional safeguards changed the examination process and budget framework, meaning the original contract could no longer be used.

The Department of Local Administration consulted the Comptroller-General’s Department, which confirmed that cancelling the original contract was legally permissible.

He stressed that the cancellation was not ordered by the interior minister or political figures, but was carried out under the authority of the relevant department and committees.

He said ignoring the public complaints at the time could have amounted to a failure to perform official duties.

The recruitment process was later reopened through electronic bidding, allowing wider participation.

The authorities first opened applications to determine the number of candidates and establish an appropriate reference price. After reviewing bids, Srinakharinwirot University won the contract.

Although Surindra Rajabhat University submitted an appeal, the Comptroller-General’s Department’s review committee rejected the appeal and confirmed Srinakharinwirot University as the contractor.

Criminal investigations continue

After the examination was completed, cheating was discovered on June 22, 2024.

The NACC, which had been involved under the cooperation framework since 2024, immediately began examining the case.

Worasit said the investigation was divided into three areas:

• The NACC is handling the main corruption case.
• Police are investigating and arresting networks of intermediaries accused of deceiving members of the public by demanding money.
• The Interior Ministry is handling administrative procedures, including fact-finding and serious disciplinary investigations.

The investigation found that 5,925 candidates had their scores altered to meet the passing criteria.

The Department of Local Administration then announced revised examination results and instructed provincial committees and local administrative organisations nationwide to remove those already appointed.

The removal process has now been completed.

Authorities prepare further legal action

The next steps include submitting information on offenders to five law-enforcement agencies:

• National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)
• Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC)
• Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO)
• Department of Special Investigation (DSI)
• Anti-Corruption Division of the Central Investigation Bureau

Authorities will also notify other government examination bodies about the names of candidates involved in score manipulation, while discussions will be held with the Council of State on possible recovery of salaries and benefits paid to those removed.

The government will suspend the final payment instalment to Srinakharinwirot University and consult the Office of the Attorney-General regarding responsibility for the first three instalments already paid.

Provincial legal support teams will also be established to assist local administrative organisations facing legal claims.

Governors and district chiefs have been instructed to prevent local authorities from rehiring removed candidates through service contracts, with guidance to temporarily suspend such recruitment.

Genuine candidates to receive fair opportunities

Worasit said the government would also work to restore fairness for genuine successful candidates affected by the scandal.

This includes those who had already been appointed but lost their preferred location choices, as well as candidates waiting for appointment from reserve lists.

The Interior Ministry will propose adjustments to transfer rules to speed up the process, with revisions expected by October.

Once vacant positions are confirmed, genuine successful candidates from reserve lists are expected to be called for appointment by November 2026.

Worasit said the government remained committed to tackling corruption and stressed that the removal process did not mean the criminal investigation had ended.

“The term ‘closed the case’ only refers to completing the administrative process of managing examination lists and removing those involved in cheating,” he said.

“The NACC and police will continue investigating and expanding the case to hold masterminds and all involved parties accountable, regardless of their position or rank.”