PHUKET’S provincial secretary Mr. Rungruang Thimabut has been temporarily suspended from duty after being arrested then bailed out in a local exam bribery scandal that is entangling other officials across the country, Naewna newspaper said.
Mr. Witthoon Sirinukul, deputy director-general and acting director-general of the Department of Provincial Administration, signed the order temporarily suspending the senior Phuket official with this specifically stating that he faces charges of “soliciting, receiving, or agreeing to receive property or other benefits for oneself or others as a reward for influencing or having influenced an official, a member of the National Legislative Assembly, a member of the Provincial Council, or a member of the Municipal Council through corrupt or illegal means.”
This followed a complaint filed with the police by three volunteer defence workers that he had allegedly demanded 300,000 baht from each of them, totaling 900,000 baht, claiming the money would be given to officials of the Department of Local Administration to facilitate their exam and appointments.
The Court of Corruption and Misconduct Region 9 then issued a warrant for Rungruang’s arrest yesterday. However at noon today the court granted his temporary release upon his using his civil servant position as collateral, deeming it a credible guarantee.
More officials are being implicated in this widening exam bribery scandal being investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and police Counter Corruption Division.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered an extensive investigation into an alleged corruption network linked to local government civil service exams after authorities uncovered a scheme estimated to have caused more than 4.5 billion baht in damages, according to NBT World.
The case came to light after NACC and the police graft division conducted an operation in Nonthaburi province targeting a network accused of manipulating examination results. Investigators allege that more than 10 officials and associates tampered with computerised answer data to help applicants who paid bribes secure passing scores.
Authorities seized computers, digital storage devices, and answer sheets linked to more than 3,000 candidates. Preliminary findings suggest scores may have been altered for around 2,000 individuals. Investigators said payments ranged from 350,000 to 800,000 baht per candidate, with the network believed to have operated across several regions of the country.
The Interior Ministry has temporarily reassigned the Director-General of the Department of Local Administration while the investigation proceeds. Meanwhile, NACC is widening its inquiry to include examination organisers, coordinators, tutors, bribery recipients, candidates who allegedly paid for assistance, and related financial transactions.
Authorities are also preparing a review of previous examination results to determine whether appointments obtained through unlawful means should be revoked and whether additional legal action is warranted.
CAPTION:
Mr. Rungruang Thimabutr. Above photo – Amarin TV, Front Page – NBT Connect
Also read:
Chadchart urges Bangkokians to overwhelmingly vote in gubernatorial elections tomorrow
Cape Verde extend World Cup ‘dream’ to set up Argentina meeting
Storm knocks down power poles across 2km in Lat Krabang distrct
AOT expects jump in 2027 after big drop in passenger growth this year
Pawoot not calling it quits as People’s MP over suspected forex scam
People’s MPs not afraid of Chaichanok’s father: Rukchanok
Justice Minister sceptical over Pawoot’s cash profit without decimal points from trading gold online
