Prime Minister Anutin emphasized that accountability for local exam fraud must reach those responsible, acknowledging the need to cleanse the entire system. He defended the 'Grandfather Jin' era, saying there were no problems with district chiefs and claimed to have implemented anti-cheating measures prior to the exams.
At 13:00 hours on 2 July 2026 GMT+7, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Chanvirakul gave an interview at the Government House regarding the local exam fraud investigation, which has reached the seven-day mark since the fact-finding committee was established. He said that this afternoon, several agencies were invited for discussions, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior would report on the investigation results. When asked if he would personally announce the findings on the exam fraud, Anutin replied it was unnecessary, emphasizing that those involved in cheating would be punished without exception.
When asked if anyone from the Department of Local Administration was involved, Anutin stated that at this point, it was not about questioning involvement because financial investigations had been conducted. If there were no involvement, the Permanent Secretary would dare to transfer personnel. Everything is proceeding step by step. Opponents are spreading false accusations, but the situation is well understood, including precautions taken at exam sites, as there were even incidents like electrical short circuits where exam materials were stored. He assured that all data, including hard drives, software disks, and documents, have been securely copied.
Asked whether this was a large-scale corruption process, Anutin confirmed it was. He said he was aware and warned not to be deceived by false promises. When the local committee met, they opposed his directives; over 20 local officials voted to accept the suspicious results, while only the Ministry of Interior insisted on filing complaints. He explained that if he had followed their direction, he would be implicated. Thus, they decided to handle the problem internally because he had already ordered preventive measures to block acceptance of tainted results.
When further questioned if the Prime Minister's order was final, Anutin responded that while he can issue orders, the Ministry of Interior established a committee to determine exam and acceptance procedures. The authority lies with that committee, which voted to accept the results. Although he disagreed, once the vote was made, those who ordered acceptance must bear responsibility for any ensuing damage. He stated he has fulfilled his duty to prevent fraud and will now focus on prosecuting offenders and reviewing regulations for reform, noting that careless decentralization leads to such problems.
Asked if systemic overhaul was needed due to widespread cheating at exam sites, Anutin revealed that exposing the truth and exam outcomes would require thorough reform. He said if possible, they would cleanse the system, but this is a large-scale process—not just about catching offenders today and ending it there. The problem is extensive.
He added, "I must clarify for those who claim otherwise: from when my father served as Interior Minister (M.T.1) to when I took the role, we were unaware of any cheating involving district chiefs. My father (Chawarat Chanvirakul) had no problems with district chiefs. As for me, after several years in office, I was unaware of cheating until I took measures to cancel exams two or three years ago. Including my vacations totaling about three years, no exams were held. People claimed exams were delayed because of me, but exams resumed only after two years. The exams are under the department's jurisdiction; they don't need to inform the Interior Minister. Even if wrongdoing occurs, it must be handled properly. I intervened only when irregularities happened and took action. Don't forget, I initiated a memorandum of understanding over two years ago involving seven agencies to jointly prevent corruption. So, to say no action was taken is incorrect."