The Department of Local Administration issued an urgent letter to provincial governors nationwide to delay the appointment of successful candidates, fearing public suspicion, and ordered a temporary suspension for the benefit of government service.
On 24 June 2026, the Department of Local Administration (DLA) issued an urgent letter No. MHT 0809.5/W 35 titled “Delay of Appointment for Successful Candidates on 1 July 2026” addressed to all provincial governors, who serve as chairpersons of the provincial local official committees (G.J.J., G.T.J., G.Ob.T. in all provinces, and the Pattaya City Committee). The letter instructed them to temporarily suspend the appointment, transfer, and registration process for the problematic batch of local officials.
The letter stated that the DLA had sent the list of successful candidates to each province and local administrative organizations (LAOs) to proceed with appointments according to established procedures, with orders effective simultaneously from 1 July 2026 onward.
The main reason for this sudden halt stems from a case where the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Anti-Corruption Division jointly held a major press conference on 23 June 2026.
Following a coordinated raid on a residence in Bang Len Subdistrict, Bang Yai District, Nonthaburi Province, authorities discovered that the location was used for "altering answer sheets" to adjust exam scores to match the names of candidates who paid bribes to the corrupt operation.
Investigations identified a key suspect, Mr. P., currently serving as director of the Strategy and Budget Division of a municipality in Phetchabun Province. He was responsible for collecting and hiding all answer sheets at the residence. Officials seized substantial evidence used in the wrongdoing.
Therefore, to ensure the competitive exam process for appointing local officials proceeds smoothly and transparently, to dispel public doubts, and for the highest benefit of government service, the Department of Local Administration ordered all provinces to notify their local administrative organizations to "delay" appointments of successful candidates listed in the attachment of the previous letter (dated 16 June 2026). All successful candidates are also instructed to "delay" their reporting for appointment on 1 July 2026. The order was signed by Mr. Thanon Praphipas, Deputy Director-General acting on behalf of the Director-General of the Department of Local Administration.