Anutin is furious about the local exam fraud, saying it feels like they are cheating right over his head. He pointed out that society has already judged harshly without fear of influence. He vowed to take strong action against involved officials, stating that mere transfers aren’t enough—they must be suspended from government service immediately. He set a firm deadline to conclude the matter by 30 September.
On 17 September 2026, Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, spoke about advancing the Ministry of Interior’s policy, specifically addressing the ongoing investigation into local official exam corruption. He acknowledged this issue significantly undermines public confidence, noting that no one believes the process was honest. Despite ongoing efforts, the scandal remains disheartening, especially since investigations revealed involvement of external parties, which is deeply distressing.
“To speak frankly as brothers, this cheating is happening right over my head. Society has already drawn conclusions and passed judgment, and I myself have also judged the matter. However, legal authority requires procedures involving multiple agencies, including arresting and prosecuting offenders. Just this past Monday, the Anti-Money Laundering Office seized assets worth over 380 million baht from external parties involved, but that’s not the end of it.”
The Prime Minister added that the Ministry of Interior, which oversees the Department of Local Administration Promotion, must expand efforts. External individuals have been imprisoned, barred from visits, and denied bail. Officials involved in illegal acts must face swift action. Transfers alone are insufficient; when criteria are met, the Permanent Secretary of the Interior must order suspension from government service to demonstrate full commitment without fearing any influence. Those uninvolved have nothing to fear. Strong measures are necessary because this damages the agency, likening everyone to homeowners whose property is being destroyed by unknown parties, which is unacceptable. After three years here, mutual respect is expected. Claims that such fraud has existed long before his tenure are dismissed; he only accepts responsibility from his time onward and will not tolerate further misconduct.
“When citizens and the media speak, they do not mention any particular director, department head, or inspector involved, but say it must be someone with the highest authority in the Ministry of Interior who could orchestrate this. Those people neither gain materially nor enjoy privileges. I want to emphasize there’s no concern about anyone being shielded or spared. If investigations implicate anyone, responsible parties must act decisively before personnel rotations. The Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, who chairs the serious disciplinary investigations, is urged to expedite the process. If not resolved properly, he warned they might not be transferred to the Department of Public Works.”
Anutin stated clearly that accepting responsibility means accepting both blame and credit. This issue is shocking and distressing for him as Minister of Interior. Therefore, he demands full effort, understanding that legal frameworks must be strictly followed and accelerated.
“Senior supervisors must anticipate the necessary next steps and analyze connections based on our collaborative work, especially in this case. I never overlooked any suspicion. If anyone fears retaliation lawsuits, that’s acceptable—it will help reveal all hidden aspects. The law protects those acting in good faith. There will be no extension—I state here that requests to extend the investigation have been denied. This must conclude by 30 September without exception, as it affects the roles of many people. I urge the Permanent Secretary and Deputy Permanent Secretary involved to collaborate in the committee, with no protection or assistance granted to anyone. This order is clear: the process must finish promptly. Other agencies have progressed far, so the host agency must be decisive.”