Prompong urges Anutin and the Ministry of Interior to eradicate corruption in local government exams, insisting the investigation should not stop at low-level offenders but must restore opportunities for honest candidates and trace the system, money, and people involved to reach the masterminds if evidence is found.
On 15 Aug 2026 GMT+7, Prompong Noprit, former spokesperson of the Pheu Thai Party, commented on the progress of investigating irregularities in the local personnel recruitment exams after discovering 5,925 candidates with abnormal scores. He supports the Ministry of Interior and the Department of Local Administration's earnest investigation, emphasizing that this issue is not just about exam scores but the public's trust in the Thai bureaucracy. The figure of 5,925 must not be used to close the case; investigations must go all the way and not stop at low-level culprits. If evidence shows masterminds or beneficiaries behind the scenes, they must be pursued and prosecuted.
Prompong stated that managing the problematic candidate list is only halfway. The other half, which the public awaits, is identifying who was responsible, where the system failed, whether there were vested interests, and when honest candidates will receive justice. It is also necessary to close loopholes to prevent recurrence. Therefore, the government and Ministry of Interior must urgently address both issues simultaneously.
First, restore opportunities for honest candidates and ensure that good people are not punished for the wrongdoing of cheaters. Once a new list is created, the Ministry must promptly appoint candidates who pass based on scores, criteria, and available positions. Those who studied hard, worked diligently, and succeeded on merit should not lose their future due to irregularities they did not cause. Removing wrongdoers is one matter; restoring fairness to honest candidates is equally important.
Second, investigate thoroughly three pathways: the system, money, and people. For the system, identify precisely where vulnerabilities allowed irregularities, who had access to data, who could alter it, and where controls failed to close the door on recurrence. For the money trail, if there is evidence or reasonable suspicion regarding benefits, follow the financial paths fully and enforce laws strictly. For the people, examine all individuals potentially involved—officials, brokers, or others. If evidence points to anyone, pursue them regardless of whether they are low-level or top-level.
Prompong said the public does not want to see investigations stall and then disappear. They want to know the truth: who is responsible, where the loopholes are, and whether candidates who passed on merit have had their opportunities restored. Civil service exams should be decided by intellect, not connections, and by ability, not money.
He acknowledged that the Ministry of Interior has started on the right path but must see the process through to the end. The investigation should not end merely by removing names or stopping at low-level culprits. Honest candidates must not suffer the consequences. If evidence leads to masterminds, beneficiaries, or any level of individuals, action must be taken against them.
Prompong added that Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, must assure Thai youth that those who study earnestly and pass exams on merit will have opportunities over those who try to buy their way or use connections to enter the bureaucracy.
He emphasized that those who study hard must be valued more than those with powerful connections. Ability must triumph over influence, and honesty must not be defeated. If the Prime Minister takes serious action, establishes a precedent, and follows the evidence thoroughly, this will not only cleanse corruption in local exams but also restore justice to honest candidates and renew faith in the Thai bureaucracy.