The Prime Minister has ordered the cancellation of the problematic local civil service exam results, even after appointments have been made, criticizing senior officials as more corrupt than others, and demanding that suspected or accused officers at the Department of Local Administration be removed from duty as soon as possible.
At 09:13 on 23 June 2026 GMT+7 Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, arrived at Government House and summoned Worasit Liangprasith, Deputy Minister of Interior; Police Lieutenant General Nathsak Chaonasai, Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau; Atthit Sampantharat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior; Phumvisan Kasemsuk, Secretary-General of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC); and relevant agencies to meet at the Thai Koo Fah Building following the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Anti-Corruption and Misconduct Suppression Division's (ACMSD) crackdown on the corrupt local civil service recruitment examination network, which caused damages exceeding 4.5 billion baht and led to the transfer of Theerut Supawiboonpol, Director-General of the Department of Local Administration, out of his position.
At the start of the meeting, the Prime Minister thanked all agencies for their swift coordination despite short notice. He acknowledged that everyone understands the gravity of the issue, which has attracted public concern and worry. He invited related agencies—including the police, PACC, administrative authorities, and NACC—to discuss the origins and next steps, including punishing offenders and confiscating assets gained through corruption. He stressed the importance of prosecuting all involved, especially those within the Ministry of Interior, noting that the problem may extend beyond the Department of Local Administration to other units, requiring comprehensive action and planning.
Regarding the exam, the Prime Minister said it is clear that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior must cancel the results even though they have been announced, because if the process is tainted from the start, it must be annulled. Those adversely affected must pursue their own remedies. He added that the fact that appointments were made or results announced does not prevent cancellation if the exam process was illegal. There is no need to fear lawsuits because if investigations and prosecutions are properly conducted with evidence and court rulings, the cancellation is justified.
The Prime Minister further emphasized, “Therefore, anyone who passed through this mechanism lacks qualifications and must be removed. I will not accept anyone claiming their results stand simply because they were announced. This is unacceptable because it stems from corrupt acts. Nonetheless, I commend all agencies for their swift and decisive actions without leaks, fully in line with the Memorandum of Understanding we signed to prevent and suppress all forms of corruption, while maintaining confidentiality.”
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also praised all officers involved, noting that he has followed their operations through media and official reports, observing their determination and fearlessness against any influence. He urged the rapid investigation of anyone linked, whether at central or local levels. He acknowledged reports that some Department of Local Administration officers were involved, and instructed the Ministry of Interior to direct provincial governors, such as in Phetchabun Province, to immediately remove those suspected or accused from their duties. The Ministry of Interior is expected to understand the urgency implied by “immediately.”
He called for collective effort, stressing that this brazen corruption threatens the country's progress. Civil servants entrusted to govern the country began their service with corruption from day one, undermining honest candidates. He identified senior officials who allowed this process as more culpable, and vowed to suppress and prosecute to prevent recurrence. Such acts damage the nation and betray it. He affirmed the government's stability and commitment to thorough action, with no protection for wrongdoers at any level, insisting that good governance will prevail because Thai civil servants are of utmost importance.