Bangkok: "Thawee" has called on the Ministry of Interior to cease delaying the submission of local government exam score files for comparison with those from Srinakharinwirot University, amid a corruption scandal involving nearly 5 billion baht. Pol. Col. Tawee Sodsong, a party-list MP and former Minister of Justice, voiced his concerns on social media, urging the Ministry to confront the truth and expedite the matter.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Col. Tawee stressed the urgency of providing exam score processing files and lists of successful candidates for verification with Srinakharinwirot University's data. The local government exam fraud case has been misrepresented, focusing solely on the 5,924 applicants whose names were revoked. Tawee warned against turning applicants into scapegoats, emphasizing the need to investigate those responsible for compiling and approving the lists, rather than the applicants themselves.
The Central Committee for Local Government Employee Examinations, comprising 19 members, is responsible according to the law, with the Department of Local Administration directly managing the examination process. Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) had previously scheduled examinations and the submission of data between December 2025 and February 2026. However, discrepancies were discovered, leading to investigations by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and police in June 2026, uncovering evidence of potential score alterations affecting 5,960 applicants.
Public outrage ensued following revelations of the extensive exam fraud. Although the Ministry of Interior pledged to address the issue, the Local Government Examination Board revoked the names of 5,924 individuals. Despite this, the Ministry has not yet provided the necessary verification files. In contrast, Srinakharinwirot University and Chanwanich Printing House promptly submitted their data to the NACC.
The investigation aims to compare data from all sources to determine where and how the data was altered, identifying those responsible for manipulating scores and benefiting from the corruption, which allegedly involved sums ranging from 450,000 to 1,000,000 baht per person. Delays in evidence submission have raised suspicions of potential concealment or obstruction, risking the loss or alteration of crucial evidence.
The revocation of names is just the beginning of a broader investigation to uncover all involved, from data modifiers to beneficiaries. The Ministry of Interior must act swiftly to provide all evidence for verification, restoring public trust in the state and justice system.