Sathit slams committee for ignoring local exam fraud probe

Matichon•Politics•12d ago

Reader Briefing

MP Sathit Wongnongtoei criticized the budget committee for failing to investigate massive fraud in local government exams overseen by the Department of Local Administration.

•Sathit Wongnongtoei debated the 2027 Budget Act on September 9 at the Parliament.
•The Department of Local Administration is accused of failing to address 115 hacking incidents and digital file alterations in 2026.
•Questions were raised regarding 90 million baht in meeting allowances for committees involved in the fraud period.
•Sathit Wongnongtoei demanded that 175.3 million baht in exam application fees be brought back into the national budget system.

Overview

•On September 9, Sathit Wongnongtoei debated the Annual Budget Expenditure Act for the fiscal year 2027 at the Parliament.
•Sathit Wongnongtoei expressed doubt toward the Ad Hoc Committee for considering the Budget Act for focusing on minor budget cuts while ignoring massive local exam fraud.
•The Department of Local Administration's information technology system faced 115 hacking and digital file modification incidents in 2026.
•Sathit Wongnongtoei noted that the 2027 budget removed all cybersecurity performance indicators, which the Ad Hoc Committee failed to question.
•Budget for meeting allowances for the central board and examination sub-committees was set at nearly 100 million baht.
•The Department of Local Administration collected 175.3 million baht in application fees from 438,277 applicants, with a remaining balance after paying 133 million baht to a university for exam administration.
•Sathit Wongnongtoei requested the Ad Hoc Committee to clarify the issues and proposed that all local exam fees be integrated into the national budget for transparency.
•Sathit Wongnongtoei stated that the Ad Hoc Committee's performance would be considered highly disappointing if no answers are provided.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Sathit Wongnongtoei

"Local exam fraud is considered a serious destruction of the merit system in the Thai civil service."

การโกงสอบท้องถิ่นถือเป็นการทำลายระบบคุณธรรมในระบบราชการไทยอย่างร้ายแรง

Key Entities

Person

Sathit Wongnongtoei(สาทิตย์ วงศ์หนองเตย)

A list MP and Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party who debated the 2027 Budget Act.

Organization

Democrat Party(พรรคประชาธิปัตย์)

The political party of which Sathit Wongnongtoei serves as Deputy Leader.

Ad Hoc Committee for considering the Budget Act(คณะกรรมาธิการวิสามัญพิจารณาร่าง พ.ร.บ.งบประมาณฯ)

The committee responsible for reviewing the budget bill that Sathit Wongnongtoei criticized for neglecting fraud investigations.

Department of Local Administration(กรมส่งเสริมปกครองท้องถิ่น)

The government agency accused of massive local exam fraud and lack of cybersecurity transparency.

Ministry of Interior(กระทรวงมหาดไทย)ℹ️

The ministry whose budget items, such as military gowns and general equipment, were targeted for reduction by the committee.

Place

Parliament(รัฐสภา)ℹ️

The location where the debate on the 2027 Budget Act took place on September 9.

Law

Annual Budget Expenditure Act for the fiscal year 2027(พระราชบัญญัติงบประมาณรายจ่ายประจำปีงบประมาณ พ.ศ.2570)

The legislation being considered by the House of Representatives during the debate.