Bangkok: A scandal involving the "buying of local government positions" has been exposed, implicating thousands of individuals. All those involved will be summoned for questioning. According to Thai News Agency, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) announced the results of an operation to investigate corruption in the local government recruitment exam. Yesterday, officers from the Anti-Corruption Division, along with the NACC and other related agencies, raided a residence in Nonthaburi province that was being used to alter exam results. During the raid, officers found 10 local government officials entering altered answer sheets into a computer system for submission to the exam-administering agency. They seized documents and related equipment as evidence.
The case stems from complaints filed with authorities, including evidence and audio recordings, alleging that a group of individuals and tutors were falsely claiming to have connections that could help applicants pass local government recruitment exams. They were demanding payments ranging from 350,000 baht for general positions to as high as 700,000-800,000 baht in highly competitive areas.
The examination in question is the 2025 competitive examination for recruitment into local government positions, in which the Department of Local Administration opened applications for a total of 87 positions with 6,669 vacancies, and the examination was held in December of last year.
The investigation revealed that the location was linked to Mr. P., the Director of the Strategy and Budget Division of the Wichian Buri Municipality in Phetchabun Province, who is accused of storing and hiding exam answer sheets within the building. Authorities seized a large number of items, including 18 computer and CPU sets, digital data storage devices, lists of test takers whose scores had been altered, and copies of approximately 3,000 answer sheets.
Initial investigations have revealed that approximately 2,000 test scores have been altered, resulting in damages exceeding 4.5 billion baht. Authorities are therefore urgently expanding the investigation to include all accomplices, including government officials and test takers who may be involved.
Netipol Chumyong, Director of the Investigation and Special Affairs Division of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, revealed that after receiving a tip about the process of altering answer sheets, officers planned and continuously observed the location for three days. They observed unusual movement of people entering and exiting the premises, consistent with the information received. They then gathered evidence before obtaining a search warrant from the court. During the search, they found computers, documents, and answer sheets that were in the process of being altered.
Meanwhile, Pol. Lt. Col. Surachet Dechaphan, Deputy Superintendent of Division 2, Anti-Corruption Bureau, revealed that the modus operandi is believed not to be directly erasing and redoing answers on the answer sheet, but rather modifying data in the electronic system beforehand. The names of those who paid were separated from the general applicants before the data was entered into a computer system for processing and determining which questions needed correction. The data was then sent back to the original data storage point to modify the scores to align with the desired exam results.
The criminal network was found to have an upstream, midstream, and downstream structure. Mr. Pichit acted as the intermediary between these three parts, coordinating with the downstream parties, who were agents, brokers, or tutors. These agents distributed information and sought out individuals who needed to take the civil service entrance exams throughout Thailand. Regarding the upstream aspect, it's necessary to investigate who was involved, such as the agencies conducting the exams, to trace the true source of the leaked answer sheets. However, it's believed that Mr. Pichit did not act alone and that some government officials or civil servants may be involved in this scheme. This will be considered for prosecution under Section 157.
For those who passed the exam and have already been appointed, officials will consider each case individually, thoroughly examining all evidence. If found to be involved in corruption, they may face criminal and disciplinary action, which could affect their status in their positions according to legal procedures. However, initially, officials have not filed charges against anyone because the investigation system requires the collection of evidence, and this arrest is considered the clearest yet. Therefore, the NACC believes the investigation process will not take long, and further legal action will be taken against all individuals involved, including the thousands of people who paid bribes to cover the exam fraud.
Meanwhile, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) will consider whether to forward the matter to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, in his capacity as Minister of Interior overseeing local administrative organizations.