Udon Thani Corruption Scandal: Chief Denies Taking 300k for Teacher Exam

Khaosod•Society•251d ago

Reader Briefing

Udon Thani education official denies taking bribes for teacher exams amidst an ongoing investigation.

•The Director of the Udon Thani Primary Educational Service Area Office 3 is investigating allegations of corruption, specifically the acceptance of 200,000-300,000 baht for a teacher recruitment exam.
•The complaint was filed by the owner of the 'Hercules, Please Help' Facebook page, providing evidence of the alleged bribery.
•The exam in question for the position of teaching staff was held on December 20, 2025.

Overview

•On January 30, 2026, this news was reported following a complaint.
•Mr. Panumas Jitwatsinkul filed a complaint and provided evidence to the internal audit office and legal officials of the Primary Educational Service Area Office 3.
•The complaint alleges corruption involving a senior official in the office, specifically concerning exam irregularities and bribery.
•The alleged bribe amount ranges from 200,000 to 300,000 Baht for the government employee recruitment exam.
•The recruitment exam for teaching staff positions within the office was conducted on December 20, 2025.
•Dr. Wichan Ketsaphet, Director of the Primary Educational Service Area Office 3 in Udon Thani, expressed shock and is investigating the matter.
•Dr. Wichan Ketsaphet is establishing an investigation committee to determine the origin of the alleged corruption.
•Dr. Wichan Ketsaphet reassured that he has no involvement in such activities, as his retirement is two years away.

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Key Quotes

Dr. Wichan Ketsaphet

"To begin with, upon hearing the news, we've had our relevant personnel try to find the origin and how it came about, because this kind of matter causes reputational damage to the district office."

ขอเรียนเบื้องต้นว่าเราเองตั้งแต่ทราบข่าว ได้พยายามให้บุคลากรของเราที่เกี่ยวข้องให้หาที่ไปที่มาว่าความเป็นไปเป็นมาอย่างไร เพราะเรื่องแบบนี้ทำให้ทางสำนักงานเขตฯเสียชื่อเสียง

Dr. Wichan Ketsaphet

"We are currently setting up a committee to investigate the origin of this matter."

เรากำลังตั้งกรรมการสืบหาต้นตอเรื่องนี้อยู่

Dr. Wichan Ketsaphet

"I confirm that on my part, there is definitely no such thing, as I will retire in two years."

ยืนยันในส่วนของตนไม่มีเรื่องแบบนี้แน่นอน เพราะอีก 2 ปีตนจะเกษียณแล้ว

Dr. Wichan Ketsaphet

"Seeing such a high figure, I was shocked. It's only for the recruitment of government employees."

เห็นการเรียกตัวเลขสูงก็ตกใจ แค่สอบพนักงานราชการเท่านั้น

Key Entities

Person

Udon Thani District Chief(ผอ.เขต อุดรธานี)

The Director of the Udon Thani Primary Educational Service Area Office 3, who is responding to allegations of corruption.

Mr. Panumas Jitwatsinkul(นายภาณุมาศ จิตรวศินกุล)

The owner of the Facebook page 'Hercules, Please Help,' who filed a complaint regarding alleged corruption in teacher recruitment exams.

Dr. Wichan Ketsaphet(ดร.วิชาญ เกษเพชร)

The Director of the Primary Educational Service Area Office 3 in Udon Thani, who is leading the investigation into corruption allegations.

Organization

Facebook page 'Hercules, Please Help'(เพจ “เฮียเปี๊ยกช่วยด้วย”)

The social media platform used to report alleged corruption in teacher recruitment exams.

Nong Han District Primary Educational Service Area Office 3(สำนักงานเขตพื้นที่การศึกษาประถมศึกษา เขต 3 อ.หนองหาน)

The educational office where the alleged bribery for teaching staff recruitment occurred.

Timeline

Dec 20, 2025(20 ธ.ค. 68)

The date when the teacher recruitment exam under investigation took place.

Jan 30, 2026(30 ม.ค. 69)

The date when the news about the Udon Thani corruption allegations was reported.