Wichian buri: Rumors are spreading that "Director Pichit" has contacted the authorities to resign, but he remains missing. The deputy mayor of Wichian Buri confirmed that Mr. Pichit, the director of the Strategy and Budget Division and a key suspect in the local government exam cheating case, has resigned, despite him remaining missing. Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior (M.4) clearly stated that the resignation of the guilty party will have no effect on the case.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pichit, Director of the Strategy and Budget Division of Wichian Buri Municipality, Phetchabun Province, is a key suspect in the 2025 local government exam corruption case. He is implicated in storing and hiding answer sheets at a location raided by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) at a house in Bang Yai District, Nonthaburi. Since the raid on June 23, Director Pichit has not appeared at work, and his whereabouts remain unknown. Rumors suggest he has already submitted his resignation.
Recently, a reporter from the Thai News Agency contacted Ms. Sunee Mangalaratnasri, Deputy Mayor of Wichian Buri Municipality, who oversees the Municipal Clerk's Office, Finance Division, and Engineering Division, to clarify the rumors. She confirmed that Director Pichit has indeed expressed his intention to resign from government service and has contacted the Wichian Buri Municipal Executive Committee. However, he has not yet submitted his resignation. It is anticipated that Director Pichit will submit his resignation in person within 1-2 days.
The reason Director Pichit has not been seen recently is because the Phetchabun Provincial Municipal Personnel Committee has resolved to suspend him from duty pending the outcome of a serious disciplinary investigation into the allegations against him. This decision was made by Mr. Saranyu Meethongkham, Governor of Phetchabun, in a letter dated June 24th addressed to the Mayor of Wichian Buri.
While a news team from Thai News Agency attempted to contact Director Pichit to inquire about the facts, there was no answer. It is believed that Director Pichit has switched off his phone.
Regarding Mr. Worasit Liengprasit, Deputy Minister of Interior, who has been frequently questioned by reporters about various issues related to the local government exam cheating scandal, particularly the possibility of Director Pichit resigning before the case concludes, Mr. Worasit affirmed that whether he resigns or not will have no effect on the proceedings against those who committed the wrongdoing.
Mr. Manas Suwannarin, Deputy Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima and former inspector of the Department of Local Administration, posted on Facebook regarding the Department of Local Administration's order to halt the appointment of civil servants nationwide, which was scheduled to begin on July 1st. He stated, 'When will the appointment delay letter be revoked? Otherwise, I will have to suspend the resignations of six government employees here because they will become unemployed. The suspension will be conditional. If they are appointed, the appointment will take effect according to their resignations; if not, they will continue to perform their duties. I will also order a conditional appointment for one person, until the central committee makes a different decision. I reiterate, as someone on the operational side, that this delay will create many more problems. This group must be appointed first. Subsequent groups can have their appointments delayed. Once the issues are resolved, then we can address them later. We will target the 3,000 individuals mentioned in the news, or even more if the evidence is sufficient. It's not a blanket punishment. Those in the private sector are in even worse situations; they've already resigned and offered sacrifices. Their lives are in jeopardy.