The Interior Ministry has abruptly transferred Department of Local Administration (DLA) Director-General Teeruth Supawiboonpol amid a sweeping corruption scandal tied to local recruitment examinations valued at more than 4.5 billion baht.
Interior permanent secretary, Unsit Samphantharat, on Tuesday signed a ministerial order issued by the Interior Ministry to assign Mr Teeruth to a temporary post at the ministry. The transfer order takes effect on Wednesday and will remain effective until further notice.
The transfer came after officials from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Department of Special Investigation's (DSI) Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) launched a major crackdown operation targeting a corruption network linked to a recruitment examination held by the DLA. The scheme involved bribery and the manipulation of exam scores in exchange for official positions.
The result of the operation was announced on Tuesday during a press conference held by the NACC and the ACD. Officials said it followed a search warrant issued by the Nonthaburi Provincial Court on Monday, targeting Sammueang Jarernrungrueangkit Co Ltd in Bang Yai district.
Investigators searched the company for answer sheets, computers, electronic devices and online data connected to the alleged fraud.
Authorities said 10 individuals, mostly state officials, were found at the site while they were allegedly modifying digital copies of exam answer sheets using computer software in order to match scores already announced by the DLA on its official website. Officials believe the altered scores were intended to help candidates who paid bribes pass the examination process.
During the search, officers seized 18 computers and CPU units, external hard drives containing digital examination data from candidates nationwide and lists of applicants whose scores were allegedly targeted for manipulation. Investigators also discovered around 3,000 answer sheet copies from the Feb 15, 2025, examination, with around 2,000 already altered.
The examination in question was part of the 2025 recruitment process organised by the DLA. The recruitment drive covered 87 positions with a total of 6,669 vacancies.
The investigation stemmed from complaints submitted alongside evidence and audio clips alleging that certain tutors and individuals claimed to have "internal connections" capable of guaranteeing success in the exam. Bribes requested by the network reportedly ranged from 350,000 baht per candidate for general positions to 700,000-800,000 baht for highly competitive positions.
Mr Unsit said the case could undermine public confidence in government administration, personnel management within the Ministry of Interior, the DLA and local administrative organisations nationwide.
The order cited several legal provisions, including the State Administration Act BE 2534 and the Civil Service Act BE 2551, as justification for Mr Teeruth's temporary reassignment in order to ensure smooth government operations and protect public interests. Mr Teeruth will perform duties assigned by Mr Unsit.
Authorities estimated the financial damage caused by the scheme at 4.5 billion baht. Investigators are now expanding the probe to identify additional accomplices, including public officials and examination candidates.
The NACC described the operation as a milestone in adopting proactive search-and-seizure tactics aimed at combating corruption more rapidly. Officials stressed that all suspects remain presumed innocent until proven guilty by the courts.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul briefly addressed the issue, saying the matter was "up to the interior permanent secretary".
