Bangkok:Prasert Chantharawongthong, Minister of Education, has announced a decisive move to address the "fake China field trip" scandal that left 70 teachers and students stranded at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) has been tasked with investigating the fraudulent scheme, which involved a high-ranking civil servant and defrauded individuals of over 2.4 million baht.
According to Thai News Agency, the OBEC has formed a committee to delve into the details of the incident, which affected 62 students and 8 supervising teachers from 11 schools, primarily in the central region. The investigation, which began last Monday, aims to conclude within a week, with the accused civil servant already summoned to provide a statement.
The fraudulent action involved a promise of a field trip to Xi'an Jiaotong University in China, scheduled from October 15 to 26. However, the trip never materialized, revealing the deception. It was confirmed that the operation was private and not affiliated with the Ministry of Education, which is now focused on gathering information from the victims and assessing the financial damage.
Initial findings indicate the involvement of one or two OBEC civil servants, with the primary accused having a history of similar behavior. Money for the trip was channeled through an account not linked to OBEC, confirming the operation's private nature. The investigation aims to establish clear facts, punish those responsible, and recover the fraudulent funds.
Minister Prasert has directed educational areas to monitor such activities closely, ensuring that unauthorized trips are prevented. He emphasized the Ministry's commitment to pursuing justice and compensating the victims, with the investigation expected to conclude by this Friday.