The Deputy Government Spokesperson emphasized that holding an official position is not a license to seek personal benefits. The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) has appointed a committee to investigate allegations of students being deceived into purchasing study courses in China. The inquiry will examine all parties without protecting wrongdoers or abandoning the children affected. Results are expected next week.
On 18 Oct 2026 GMT+7, Second Lieutenant Phatdarasmi Thongsaluaykorn, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the government is monitoring the failed China trip issue after students and parents suffered losses from a short-term study program in China. OBEC has formed a fact-finding committee and expects preliminary clarity next week. They are urgently examining personnel involvement, the use of government agency names, project approval processes, and financial flows, with a focus on fund recovery and child protection. She stressed that although the project is private, offenders will not evade legal responsibility.
Second Lieutenant Phatdarasmi Thongsaluaykorn, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, addressed the case where students and parents were affected by a short-term study program in the People’s Republic of China. After arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport on 15 Oct 2026 GMT+7, students could not continue the trip as no flight booking records were found as agreed. Parents filed complaints, raising suspicions about misuse of positions or affiliations with OBEC to lend credibility to the program. The government is committed to a thorough investigation, especially protecting the rights of students and parents who should not bear the consequences alone.
Mr. Prasert Chantrawongthong, Minister of Education, ordered an expedited investigation into the matter. OBEC has formed a fact-finding committee to examine the conduct and roles of those involved, including allegations of using OBEC personnel status to gain credibility. Preliminary findings are expected within a week. If wrongdoing is found, disciplinary actions will follow, and cases will be referred to competent legal authorities based on facts and evidence.
Regarding the number of affected individuals, current data from multiple sources is under review. Some reports indicate about 62 people from 11 schools involved, while another group of complainants cites 45 students from 3 schools, each paying 39,900 baht, totaling 1,795,500 baht. These figures may differ in scope, necessitating further fact-finding from all victims to confirm the true number affected and the actual financial losses. No victim should be excluded from assistance.
Meanwhile, Mr. Thanu Kwandech, Secretary-General of OBEC, clarified that the project is a private initiative and not officially an OBEC program. However, investigations must continue to clarify the status and roles of involved individuals and the procedures followed by participating educational institutions.
The Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office stated that determining whether the project belongs to a government agency is separate from investigating whether government personnel were involved or committed wrongdoing. Even if the project is private, it does not exempt involved individuals from scrutiny, especially if there is suspicion of using official titles, agency reputation, or government connections to build trust, leading schools, teachers, parents, and students to believe the project is government-endorsed.
“Claiming a government agency’s name does not transform a private project into a government one, and stating that it is a private project does not absolve civil servants who commit misconduct from responsibility. The law considers facts and conduct, not just the project's name or status,” the Deputy Spokesperson said.
He added that the investigation must clearly cover promotion and recruitment methods, claims of collaboration with government educational activities, coordination with schools and universities in China, and financial transactions. Relevant evidence including project approval documents, cooperation agreements, flight booking data, communication records, and financial information must be reviewed to determine roles, procedural compliance, and any illegal actions. Criminal-related evidence must be forwarded to investigators or relevant authorities.
Furthermore, the investigation should include the roles of educational institutions and the approval or acknowledgment processes for project participation. This will help identify areas needing more thorough scrutiny and measures to prevent similar future damages. Responsibility should be assessed individually, without assuming all named are wrongdoers.
“The investigation is not only about who owns the project but also why students and parents trusted and chose to participate. It must examine whether official positions or government affiliations were used to recruit participants and what steps might prevent harm. Public confidence in government systems depends on transparency and accountability,” the Deputy Spokesperson emphasized.
He addressed transparency concerns, saying that forming a fact-finding committee is an important first step. However, the public deserves clear investigation results and appropriate progress updates. Fairness must be given to all parties — victims and the accused — without premature judgments before sufficient evidence. At the same time, the inquiry must not be delayed or ignored, especially as the incident impacts children and trust in the education system.
“Fairness must be upheld for everyone, but that does not mean letting the matter fade away. The investigation must be straightforward, impartial, and not influenced by the accused’s identity or position. If wrongdoing is found, legal action must be taken seriously,” he added.
Regarding compensation, the Deputy Spokesperson noted that the government equally prioritizes tracking the rights of students and parents to receive refunds. Reports indicate some victims have been reimbursed, while others have only partial or no refunds. Detailed monitoring of refund status is necessary, including verifying victim data, amounts paid, amounts refunded, and outstanding balances case by case. Coordination with relevant agencies should facilitate access to complaint channels and legal claims.
Refunding and investigating wrongdoing are distinct but concurrent processes. Even if the organizer refunds victims, this does not automatically end fact-finding or legal accountability, which must be based on facts and the specifics of each case.
The Deputy Spokesperson also emphasized the psychological impact on students who prepared and hoped for the overseas learning experience. Coordination with schools and related agencies is vital to appropriately support the children, ensuring victims are not stigmatized or exposed to unnecessary personal information disclosure.
“This incident should not end with identifying responsibility but lead to reviewing oversight measures for study trip or short-term overseas programs, especially those charging students and parents. Schools and the public must be able to verify organizer credibility, travel details, and endorsing agencies clearly before deciding to participate,” he said.
In closing, the Deputy Spokesperson reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting children’s rights, holding officials accountable, and maintaining trust in the education system. The case requires thorough follow-up on facts about the organizer, personnel involvement, transparency of the investigation, refund tracking, and legal actions to assure the public that victims will not be neglected.