Contract teachers filed complaints with the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission after falling victim to a former Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) chief who fraudulently demanded payments ranging from 100,000 to 600,000 baht, claiming he could help them pass the civil service teacher exams. Sadly, they are now burdened with debt from loans taken to pay these fees. It is estimated that there are at least 10 victims.
On 2 Apr 2026 GMT+7, at the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission Region 5, Ms. Kai (pseudonym), 37, a contract teacher in Mae Sariang District, Mae Hong Son Province, filed a complaint with Mr. Nattanun Buasak, a specialist investigator at the Local Administration Office Region 5 in Chiang Mai Province.
The victim recounted that around April 2025, she met a Subdistrict Administrative Organization chief who was still in office at that time, although he recently failed an election. He persuaded her that if she passed the civil service exams parts A and B, she would be appointed as a government teacher. He said a "respected professor" from Bangkok would provide guidance, which gave confidence to her and one other friend.
The victim explained that around April 2025, she met a Subdistrict Administrative Organization chief (then still in office but recently defeated in an election) who invited her to take the civil service exams parts A and B, assuring that passing would lead to appointment. A "respected professor" from Bangkok was said to offer guidance, which convinced her and another friend.
The former SAO chief demanded an initial payment of 300,000 baht for processing and said that upon passing the exams, an additional 300,000 baht would be required, totaling 600,000 baht. However, when the official exam results were announced, neither she nor her friend appeared on the list, causing great disappointment.
When she contacted the former SAO chief, he avoided the issue and eventually stopped answering her calls. She now has to support her two children and elderly parents, with insufficient funds to repay the debts from loans taken. She hopes the authorities will assist in recovering the money. She estimates that at least 10 people have been similarly defrauded.
Ms. Kai added that she and her friend are certain they were deceived, so she decided to expose the scam to raise public awareness that such fraudulent schemes are occurring in Mae Sariang District, Mae Hong Son Province. During negotiations at a hotel, she initially refused to pay, but after hearing from a woman on the former SAO chief's team who claimed to be from the university responsible for the exam questions and results, she believed them and withdrew money twice, paying a total of 300,000 baht. Her friend paid 300,000 baht in a single payment.
She firmly believes this is a fraudulent scam and warns anyone preparing for civil service exams not to trust such claims, or they will suffer the same disappointment as she and others.