Bangkok: The ongoing investigation into the 2025 civil service and local government recruitment exam fraud has become a focal point of scrutiny, as Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilapraphan's fact-finding committee uncovers irregularities across multiple stages of the examination process. The committee, which is tasked with probing the depths of the scandal, has revealed anomalies ranging from position allocation to exam administration and results announcement. It is preparing to identify over 100 individuals from both public and private sectors who may have been involved, highlighting that mere inclusion in the list does not equate to culpability.
According to Thai News Agency, the Central Committee for Local Government Employee Examinations (CGE) has taken decisive action by annulling the previous list of successful candidates after discovering inconsistencies in the scores of 5,924 individuals. A new list is being compiled as investigations and legal proceedings continue. Meanwhile, Ms. Pakamon Nunanan, a Member of Parliament from the People's Party, expressed concerns about the government's handling of the issue. She emphasized the need to investigate beyond operational-level participants to include those in positions of power and political factions that may have been involved from the outset.
Ms. Pakamon also raised questions regarding potential cover-ups, suggesting that the fact-finding committee's actions might absolve political figures and the Ministry of Interior despite over 5,000 individuals allegedly paying to have their scores altered. She noted that political connections could have influenced the exam's management, with names of political descendants and appointees surfacing in high-ranking positions.
The origins of the scandal trace back to Burapha University's bid to conduct the exam at a cost of 82.5 million baht. However, allegations of cheating arose on the contract's signing day, prompting the Ministry of Interior to delay the process. Ms. Pakamon questioned the legitimacy of the complaints, citing a lack of formal evidence. This delay lasted over a year, leading to a change in the leadership of the Department of Local Administration Promotion and the eventual cancellation of Burapha University's contract.
Concerns about the procurement timeline were also voiced by Ms. Pakamon, noting the switch from Burapha University to Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) as the contractor and subsequent revisions to the Terms of Reference (TOR). She called for a thorough investigation into these changes.
Throughout the scandal, the Ministry of Interior and related agencies have faced criticism for their perceived inaction against corruption, necessitating intervention from bodies such as the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). Anutin Charnvirakul, the Minister of Interior at the time, vowed to hold all involved accountable without any cover-up. However, Ms. Pakamon suggested that efforts might be underway to find a scapegoat rather than addressing the broader network of political influence in the examination process.
The committee, led by Mr. Pakorn, continues to identify individuals involved in each stage of the process. These findings are set to be forwarded to relevant authorities for further legal action, ensuring a comprehensive investigation into the scandal. Mr. Pakorn reiterated that the committee's findings do not automatically imply guilt but aim to facilitate detailed investigations by appropriate agencies.