Democrat Party urges NACC witness protection for exam fraud case

Khaosod•Politics•2d ago

Reader Briefing

The Democrat Party submitted a request to the NACC for witness protection measures to uncover high-ranking political figures involved in local government exam fraud.

•On August 24, 2026, the Democrat Party submitted a letter to the NACC requesting witness protection for those involved in local government exam fraud.
•The fraud is estimated to involve 5,900-6,000 people with total damages potentially exceeding 3,000 million baht.
•Pongsakorn Kwanmuang stated there is evidence linking the corruption to ministers and government-level executives in the South and Northeast.
•The request seeks the application of Sections 131 and 135 of the Organic Act on Anti-Corruption 2018.

Overview

•On August 24, 2026, Pongsakorn Kwanmuang, Paisal Ruangrit, and Pornchai Maranet of the Democrat Party visited the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).
•The Democrat Party submitted a letter to Kiattisak Putphan, Deputy Secretary-General of the NACC, requesting protection for witnesses and those deceived by the local government exam fraud process.
•Paisal Ruangrit estimated that if 5,900-6,000 involved persons paid an average of 600,000 baht each, the total would exceed 3,000 million baht.
•Pongsakorn Kwanmuang noted that witnesses are afraid to provide official testimony because they fear imprisonment.
•Pongsakorn Kwanmuang claimed the corruption structure consists of four steps: the payer, the quota broker, the exam modifier, and high-ranking officials or politicians.
•Pornchai Maranet stated the fraud destroys opportunities for honest people and forces new civil servants to become part of a corruption cycle.
•The Democrat Party warned that if corrupt individuals hold power over public budgets, it will negatively impact long-term government administration.
•Paisal Ruangrit invited affected parties to send information via the 'Lawyer Paisal Help' Facebook page to coordinate with the NACC.

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Key Quotes

Paisal Ruangrit

"If the NACC uses Sections 131 and 135 to protect witnesses, they will speak fully, and it will not just be small fry at the end of the line."

ถ้า ป.ป.ช. ใช้มาตรา 131 และ 135 กันไว้เป็นพยาน เขาจะพูดหมด และถ้าพูดหมด มันจะไม่ใช่แค่ปลาซิวปลาสร้อยปลายแถว

Pornchai Maranet

"These civil servants will have their lives locked by this process for their entire lives; they will have to be corrupt because their first step into civil service was corrupt."

ข้าราชการเหล่านี้จะถูกกระบวนการนี้ล็อกชีวิตไว้เลยทั้งชีวิต เขาจะต้องทุจริต เพราะชีวิตแรกที่เขาเข้ามารับราชการนั้นเขาทุจริต

Key Entities

Organization

Democrat Party(พรรคประชาธิปัตย์)

A political party that requested the NACC to provide witness protection for the local government exam fraud case.

National Anti-Corruption Commission(คณะกรรมการป้องกันและปราบปรามการทุจริตแห่งชาติ)

The agency (NACC) responsible for receiving the request for witness protection and investigating the exam fraud.

Department of Local Administration(กรมส่งเสริมการปกครองท้องถิ่น)

An organization mentioned as being part of the fraud network.

Ministry of Interior(กระทรวงมหาดไทย)ℹ️

A ministry mentioned in connection with the fraud network.

Person

Pongsakorn Kwanmuang(พงศกร ขวัญเมือง)

Spokesperson for the Democrat Party.

Paisal Ruangrit(ไพศาล เรืองฤทธิ์)

Legal Committee member of the Democrat Party.

Pornchai Maranet(พรชัย มาระเนตร์)

Secretary of the Democrat Party's Policy Committee.

Kiattisak Putphan(เกียรติศักดิ์ พุฒพันธุ์)

Deputy Secretary-General of the NACC who received the letter from the Democrat Party.

Law

Organic Act on Anti-Corruption 2018(พ.ร.ป.ว่าด้วยการป้องกันและปราบปรามการทุจริต 2561)

The law containing Sections 131 and 135 used for protecting and excluding persons as witnesses.