Bangkok: The Committee on Decentralization is raising concerns that local government exam takers, uninvolved in corruption, might unjustly lose their rights. They are advocating for the central government to swiftly compensate these individuals within a 15-day timeframe.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Kongkrit Chatmalirat, Chairman of the Committee on Decentralization, Local Administration, and Special Administrative Arrangements, addressed the potential loss of rights for civil servants and local government employees not implicated in corruption related to the 2025 civil service and local government recruitment examinations. He emphasized the importance of compensating those unaffected by the alleged corruption, ensuring fairness within a specified period.
During a recent meeting, Mr. Worasit Riangprasit, Deputy Minister of Interior, was expected to brief the committee but delegated the task to the Department of Local Administration due to other commitments. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wirasak Hadda, President of the Association of Sub-district Administrative Organizations of Thailand, also contributed insights. The discussions centered on the Local Government Employee Competitive Examination Committee's criteria for appointing successful candidates, focusing on the right to select their local administrative organization for appointment based on their ranking.
The committee highlighted concerns about the potential cancellation and re-ranking of candidate lists, which could infringe on the rights of those already appointed. This situation could lead to disputes over the right to choose their work location, especially for those uninvolved in fraudulent activities. The committee aims to ensure that individuals' rights are not unfairly revoked due to administrative changes.
Mr. Kongkrit Chatmalirat assured that the committee is actively monitoring the situation and has referred corruption allegations to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The committee is committed to overseeing issues related to local administrative organizations and their personnel, ensuring fairness for those affected by the examination process.
The committee plans to closely monitor developments, inviting relevant agencies to clarify the situation if no progress is made within 15 days. The focus is on preventing disputes or lawsuits from individuals who believe their rights were unjustly revoked despite their non-involvement in corruption.
Kittichai Engchuan, the fourth vice chairman of the Decentralization Committee, noted that complaints have been received regarding the re-ranking of candidates, potentially affecting those previously appointed. The committee proposes a special resolution from the Central Committee for Local Government Officials and Employees to rectify the situation and ensure fair compensation. They have requested a report on the findings within the 15-day period.