Theerut Supawiboonpol, former Director General of the Department of Local Administration, has acknowledged charges linked to the local government exam fraud case. The investigation file is expected to be submitted to the National Anti-Corruption Commission by 12 Aug 2026. Authorities are coordinating with the Anti-Money Laundering Office to trace financial transactions for signs of unusual wealth.
At 11:30 a.m. on 6 August 2026, at the Crime Suppression Division headquarters, Pol. Col. Netiwit Thanasittinitikul, Chief of Division 2, announced progress in the case involving corruption in the local government staff recruitment exams. Theerut Supawiboonpol, former Director General of the Department of Local Administration, has met with investigators and is currently being questioned. He faces charges including misconduct or neglect of duty, forgery of official documents using his position, certifying false evidence in official documents, jointly causing loss of another's documents, jointly forging official documents, and jointly opening or removing seals on others’ documents to access information.
There are 13 suspects summoned to acknowledge charges, divided into two groups: 11 local government officials who altered exam answer sheets at a private company in Nonthaburi Province,
and the second group of two individuals: Theerut, former Director General of the Department of Local Administration, and Associate Professor Ruangdet Sirikit, Director of the Educational and Psychological Testing Bureau at Srinakharinwirot University (SWU).
Pol. Col. Netiwit explained that both Theerut and Associate Professor Ruangdet face six charges. Meanwhile, the group of 11 officials involved in altering answer sheets face charges including aiding officials to perform their duties improperly, conspiracy, violations under Penal Code Section 188, and offenses under the Computer Crime Act.
Reports indicate that so far six suspects have met with Crime Suppression Division investigators: Theerut, Associate Professor Ruangdet, and four officials responsible for altering exam answers, totaling six. The remaining seven officials are scheduled to meet investigators by Monday, 10 August. After completing questioning and charges, officials expect to compile the case file and submit it to the National Anti-Corruption Commission for further proceedings by 12 August 2026.
Additionally, the Crime Suppression Division has coordinated with the Anti-Money Laundering Office to investigate the financial trails of all suspects, who are government officials involved in criminal offenses. If the Anti-Money Laundering Office detects signs of unexplained wealth, they can immediately file additional complaints.
Regarding a complaint filed by representatives from the Department of Local Administration against Srinakharinwirot University and Associate Professor Ruangdet on 24 July for forgery and certifying false documents under Sections 161 and 162, investigators stated this is related to the existing case and are compiling evidence to consider it together with the current investigation.