Pakamon Calls for Government Probe into Corruption in Local Government Exams

Bangkok: "Pakamon" has called for a governmental investigation into alleged corruption surrounding local government recruitment exams, highlighting a system of quotas that favor connected individuals who bypass bribe payments. According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Pakamon Nunanan, a Member of Parliament from the People's Party and Chair of the House Committee on Political Development, Mass Media, and Public Participation, addressed the ongoing investigation into corruption within these exams. She revealed that information gathered from thousands of individuals, along with substantial evidence, suggests that corruption extends beyond monetary exchanges for passing grades. Ms. Pakamon explained that while reports have circulated about payments of 300,000 or 700,000 baht, some individuals bypass these fees entirely, leveraging relationships with influential figures to gain examination entry. A notable instance occurred in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, where two candidates with connections to high-ranking officia ls were initially successful in the exams, only to have their names removed in subsequent rounds, indicating potential irregularities. The investigation, Ms. Pakamon insists, requires transparency, especially given that some candidates have already been appointed to civil service positions without their appointments being rescinded. She suggests that the manipulation of answer sheets might have occurred from the outset, rather than post-exam. The case of exam fraud is complex, involving more than just bribery. It includes systemic issues that allowed certain individuals to succeed from the beginning of the process. Ms. Pakamon mentioned connections between individuals and power figures like Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, the Minister of Transport, but clarified she isn't accusing him of corruption. Her aim is for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into all such connections. She stressed that omitting individuals from the investigation could hinder uncovering the truth about power connections and r elated corruption. Ms. Pakamon advocates for a thorough investigation examining all facets, including the exam process, candidate lists, answer sheets, and any endorsements from authorized persons. This, she believes, will ensure fairness for all candidates and restore confidence in the local government recruitment system.