The Local Official Recruitment Board held an urgent meeting to tackle cheating in local government exams, aiming to purge corruption by canceling the results of 3,621 candidates. The chairman expressed concerns over possible lawsuits in administrative court.
On 17 July 2026 at the Department of Local Administration, the Central Committee for Local Official Recruitment (COLOR) held a crucial meeting chaired by Mr. Atsit Sampanarat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior. The meeting focused on legal considerations and voting to revoke the exam results of the first group totaling 3,621 candidates.
This meeting followed findings from the 15 July session that clearly detected exam score irregularities. Attending were Mr. Wanchai Chanporn, chairman of COLOR; Mr. Boonprasong Nuansai, deputy director-general of the Department of Local Administration and secretary of COLOR; and Mr. Nirat Pongsitthaworn, deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Interior acting as director-general of the department, all present together.
Before the meeting started, Mr. Wanchai Chanporn, chairman of COLOR, was interviewed about concerns over the authority to revoke civil servant appointments. He was asked whether the ultimate authority rests with COLOR or the Central Committee for Civil Servants and Local Officials. He replied briefly, “Please wait for the official meeting resolution.” He declined to comment on any potential dissent during the meeting, emphasizing that all decisions must first undergo thorough legal review by the committee.
When reporters pressed about legal concerns that if the committee decides to revoke the names of all 3,621 candidates, they might face lawsuits from affected parties in administrative court, the chairman frankly acknowledged that the risk of administrative court challenges is a factor the committee must carefully consider today as well.