Bangkok: Discrepancies have emerged between the National Statistical Office (NSO) and Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) regarding the hiring of examiners for local government exams, prompting a deeper investigation by the House Committee on Public Prosecution. The committee is set to summon the Director-General of the Department of Local Administration (DLA) for clarification after his absence at a recent meeting.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Asaphol Santraiphop, an MP for Sisaket Province and Chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on Prevention and Suppression of Corruption (P.P.C. Committee), announced findings from a meeting investigating alleged corruption in local government examinations. Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) and the Office of Educational and Psychological Testing have submitted evidence to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), including answer sheets from 400,000 test takers and crucial data stored on flash drives.
The Director of the Office of Educational and Psychological Testing confirmed that the evidence remains unaltered. SWU assigned the Director of the Office to manage the contracting of the examination process for civil servant recruitment, a task confirmed by the university's president. The Office contracted a private company for 30 million baht to print and grade the exams. Concerns were raised about interference from the DLA in the exam process.
The committee sought clarification on the nature of the interference, and it was revealed that the DLA had been influencing the examination outcomes. The Director of the Testing Service refrained from providing further details, citing that all relevant information had already been submitted to the NACC. The fact-finding committee at SWU is expected to complete their investigation soon and forward their findings.
Questions also arose regarding data retention not outlined in the employment contract. The Chairman of the House Committee on Decentralization highlighted discrepancies between information provided by the DLA and SWU. There was no verification of the exam pass list, according to the Director of the Testing Bureau, who returned relevant documents and flash drives to the DLA for further announcements.
The committee plans to invite the Director-General of the DLA and the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand for a meeting next week. Documents concerning the collaboration between SWU and the DLA, as well as budget approvals, will be reviewed. Mr. Asaphol confirmed that the individual providing clarification was indeed the accused in the NACC's investigation, offering insights into the delegation of authority at SWU.