The Social Development and Human Security Ministry (SDHSM) has set up a panel to conduct a sweeping disciplinary probe against 26 officials implicated in the embezzlement scandal involving the destitute fund.
Social Development and Human Security Minister Anantaporn Kanjanarat said the probe headed by Supat Champathong, head of the Office of Higher Education Commission (Ohec), was expected to be concluded within 30 days.
The move follows the findings of a preliminary probe that implicated Puttipat Lertchaowasit, the SDHSM permanent secretary, and his deputy, Narong Kongkam.
Mr Puttipat and Mr Narong were last month transferred to inactive posts by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha while the investigation into the state fund fraud expanded nationwide. The scandal first emerged in Khon Kaen.
Gen Anantaporn said those facing probes are divided into three groups -- senior executives, officials at operations level, and those involved in the projects.
According to the minister, those who provide useful information to the committee will be classed as witnesses and face less severe charges, while the committee will also decide on each suspects' "level of involvement".
However, he said Mr Puttipat and Mr Narong are unlikely to be classed as witnesses.
"They will have to disprove the allegations to prove their innocence. Some officials claim they were forced to send money to these executives so they have to clear themselves," he said.
He said the ministry is taking a step by step approach and the current investigation is centred on the 2017 fiscal year but would expand to cover other years.
Deputy Prime Minister Chatchai Sarikulya, speaking after being briefed by Gen Anantaporn about the embezzlement scandal, said no action will be taken against those facing the disciplinary probe at this stage.
"We don't have to do anything more. We just follow the procedures," he said.
Education Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin, meanwhile, said a disciplinary probe into the bribery scandal at Samsenwittayalai School has ended and is pending a decision from the education permanent secretary.
While declining to discuss the findings on the ground it was not within his powers to do so, he hinted the results were for the good of the public. The school director was accused of demanding 400,000 baht in "tea money" from a parent.
In a separate development, a probe will be launched to determine if Pol Sgt Maj Lersak Nonkhunthod complied with procedures when he filed a petition with the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) over a fund-raising scheme at Phahonyothin police station.
City police chief Pol Lt Gen Charnthep Sesaves said the inquiry is to determine if the policeman obeyed regulations and it is separate from another probe into his claim he was forced by superiors to share the cost of air-conditioners at the station.
