Bangkok: The Ministry of Interior has abruptly dismissed the Director-General of the Department of Local Administration (DLA) following a scandal involving a 4.5 billion baht local government recruitment exam. The Prime Minister stated, "This is a matter for the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior."
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Arsit Sampanrat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, signed Ministry of Interior Order No. 1563/2569 concerning the temporary assignment of civil servants to government agencies. The order states that officials from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Anti-Corruption and Misconduct Suppression Division (ACMSD) conducted searches and arrests of individuals involved in corruption surrounding the competitive examination for the recruitment of civil servants or local government employees under the responsibility of the Department of Local Administration. Numerous pieces of evidence related to individuals and government officials were seized. This case may affect public confidence, the administration of government affairs, and the personnel management of the Ministry of Interior, the Department of Local Administration, and local administrative organizations.
Therefore, in order to ensure the smooth operation of government affairs and for the benefit of the government, by virtue of the power under Section 21 of the Administrative Procedure Act B.E. 2534 (1991), as amended by the Administrative Procedure Act (No. 5) B.E. 2545 (2002), together with the Civil Service Act B.E. 2551 (2008) and its amendments, Sections 57 and 69, and the Civil Service Commission Regulations on Ordering Ordinary Civil Servants to be Temporarily Assigned to Government Agencies B.E. 2554 (2011), Mr. Theerut Supavibulphol, Director-General (Senior Executive) of the Department of Local Administration, is hereby assigned to the Ministry of Interior temporarily and shall perform duties as assigned by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior.
This order is effective from June 24, 2026, until further notice. Issued on June 23, 2026.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul responded to a question on this issue by saying, "It's a matter for the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior."