Bangkok: "Thepthai" points out irregularities in the local government exam corruption case, noting that the investigation ended only with civil servants and questioning why the case wasn't covered up with politicians. Political observer Thepthai Senpong posted on his Facebook page, "Thepthai - Political Talk," stating that the cheating in the Senate and local government exams ended there, not reaching the politicians.
According to Thai News Agency, anyone who listened to the press conference by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, and Deputy Minister of Interior Worasit Liengprasit (responsible for the Department of Local Administration), regarding the controversial recruitment examination for local government officials and employees, which is currently under investigation for corruption and prosecution of those involved, as well as the announcement of the cancellation of the list of 5,925 candidates who were found to have cheated, would have noticed the implications.
It can be seen that progress in prosecuting the perpetrators suggests that only a few civil servants are involved in this scheme. This is evident from the charges and disciplinary investigations filed against the Director-General, Deputy Director-General, and directors of offices within the Department of Local Administration, as well as a few other related officials. Compared to the fraudulent recruitment exams for local government employees, which involved tens of thousands of people and a sum of up to 5 billion baht, it is impossible that only 4-5 high-ranking officials or approximately 10 other officials at the Director-General level were implicated.
This scheme must involve political figures and political masterminds, because the cheating scheme for civil service and local government recruitment exams requires a network of politicians to be involved and supported. To say that no politicians, at either the local or national level, are involved is impossible.
The interviews given by Mr. Anutin and Mr. Worasit appear to be merely a way to close the case of corruption in the civil service and local government recruitment exams, limiting it to permanent civil servants and preventing any connection to politicians or major perpetrators. This is no different from the Senate election fraud or collusion case, which involved a coordinated effort with political involvement, masterminds, and key figures. However, the investigation clearly shows whether the political faction wants the investigation to continue, or to be closed at the level of Senate candidates, or to simply brush the case aside to avoid linking it to the main perpetrators or the political elite.
Therefore, the cases of cheating in civil service and local government recruitment exams and the collusion in the Senate elections likely share the same DNA. They employ similar methods of operation, utilizing political networks, and ultimately, both cases were closed to prevent any political involvement.