OBEC clarified the case where someone impersonated a government official under its jurisdiction to scam students into buying university courses in China, ultimately leaving them stranded at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The agency emphasized it is urgently verifying the facts.
About 50 students were stranded at Suvarnabhumi Airport after their parents paid to enroll them in a short-term study program under an MOU with Xi'an University in China. The program was organized by a person with a doctoral title who falsely claimed to be an OBEC official. The students were scheduled to study from 15–26 Oct 2026, each paying 39,900 baht, which parents transferred to the teacher-organizer's account.
On the travel day, the airline informed them that no flights to China were available. Subsequently, the parents filed police reports to reclaim their money, as previously reported. , Read more: Phantom Field Trip—Fifty Students' Dreams Shattered, Stranded at Suvarnabhumi )
On 16 Oct 2026, Dr. Thanu Kwandetch, Secretary-General of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), stated that social media reports about students and parents being scammed into buying short-term courses in China by someone claiming to be an OBEC official have caused public concern.
Initial investigations show this was a private matter and is not connected to any OBEC project or operation.
However, to ensure clarity and fairness for all parties, OBEC will thoroughly verify information from all sides and take appropriate steps to provide accurate understanding and maintain trust among students, parents, and the public.
"OBEC confirms this program is not affiliated with the agency. If the individual is indeed an OBEC staff member, a committee will be appointed to investigate promptly. Should disciplinary grounds be found, the agency will pursue all disciplinary and legal actions to the fullest extent," said the OBEC Secretary-General.