Nirun has deployed provincial legal officers as legal support to local leaders to expedite the removal of 5,925 individuals involved in local government official exam fraud amid fears of lawsuits. The SAO president expressed optimism, saying, "It's settled, sir," confident and ready to proceed with revocations.
At 12:35 PM on 21 Aug 2026 GMT+7 at the Government House, Nirun Pongsitthaworn, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and Acting Director-General of the Department of Local Administration (DLA), gave an interview regarding the preparation of legal teams for local administrative organizations (LAOs) nationwide to move forward with revoking individuals named in the local exam fraud case.
Wirachak Hadda, President of SAO Khlong Sam, Pathum Thani Province, and President of the SAO Association of Thailand, stood alongside him, stating this is a proper management of the official recruitment exam records, which have been double-checked 3-4 times. The DLA is extending efforts based on the central committee's resolution, providing accurate score sheets as opposed to previously claimed scores that were incorrect. These are sent to provincial committees with official document stamps for authentication.
Nirun explained that if any province has not yet held its provincial committee meeting, those committees might know the names but definitely have not seen the official score sheets. He added that it is not unusual that the SAO president of Khlong Sam hasn't seen them either, as the information is personal and not posted on social media. Once the meeting occurs, it will be like the president of the Lamphun Provincial Administrative Organization who, upon seeing the score sheets recently, immediately understood and said, "This settles it."
When asked about setting up a monitoring team for potential lawsuits, Nirun said out of concern for the provincial and local leaders—including provincial administrative organization presidents, SAO presidents, and municipal mayors—as well as Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Minister of Interior, and Deputy Minister Worasit Liangprasit, who are all concerned about possible lawsuits from those revoked, legal officers have been assigned in every provincial local administration office. These officers will monitor all provincial administrative organizations, SAOs, and municipalities. If anyone faces a lawsuit, these legal officers will assist immediately. The DLA will also coordinate case information with the Office of the Attorney General, Administrative Court prosecutors, police, and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).
Asked about a report from the fact-finding and legal committee on the 2025 local official exam fraud, chaired by Pakorn Nilprapan, which recommended dissolving the Local Official Recruitment Committee (LORC), Nirun said LORC is not a permanent body but a structure with exam responsibilities. Personnel changes will be made, but if policymakers want new laws written concerning LORC, he will comply.
Regarding concerns over possible lawsuits after revocations, Nirun stated that actions must strictly follow exam scores. They have solid evidence and are not targeting anyone personally. He said he does not look at any names, as per the Prime Minister's policy to withhold names and focus on conduct. If someone's score is insufficient, they will be revoked. Whether the case is right or wrong will be for the NACC and police to determine.
When asked about reports of financial transactions exceeding 9 billion baht, Nirun said that in criminal cases involving money trails, he is not involved. This matter falls under the jurisdiction of the police, the NACC, the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), which are handling the criminal investigations more thoroughly than he could.
The reporter noted that Nirun traveled to the Government House to attend a meeting of the Decentralization Committee for Local Administrative Organizations (DCLA), chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Songsak Thongsri, with Wirachak attending as well. After the meeting, Nirun and Wirachak took the opportunity to discuss concerns from local executives across many areas about orders dismissing officials following the cancellation of the 2025 local official exam recruitment list involving 5,925 names.
Wirachak expressed confidence that the DLA has provided evidence to the SAO Association of Thailand and that local bodies nationwide will revoke officials accordingly, assuring that no one will be sued. He told Nirun, "It's settled, sir." Nirun then put his arm around Wirachak's shoulder and shook his hand.