Srinakharinwirot U handled exams in recruitment fraud probe: DLA

The Interior Ministry's Department of Local Administration (DLA) has explained its role in the controversial recruitment process for local administration officials, saying Srinakharinwirot University was hired to manage the entire examination process in question.

Moreover every stage was monitored by a seven-agency anti-corruption network.

The statement was issued yesterday after the abrupt transfer of the DLA director-general amid allegations of massive corruption in the recruitment process. The transfer followed a major anti-graft investigation into an examination fraud network.

The DLA said the Central Local Government Personnel Examination Committee had assigned it to procure services for the 2025 recruitment examinations for local government officials and employees.

It said Srinakharinwirot University had been hired to manage the process, including preparing examination questions, selecting and printing test papers, transporting examination materials and arranging examination venues.

The university was also tasked with conducting all stages of the examinations, storing answer sheets, providing vehicles and equipment, processing scores, announcing successful candidates and safeguarding examination documents.

The DLA added that all answer sheets are currently stored in a secure room provided by the university under the terms of the contract. Access requires two separate keys held by the university and the department, while the facility is monitored by 24-hour closed-circuit television cameras.

In light of the allegations, the department said it was ready to cooperate fully with all investigations. It added that anyone found to have been involved in examination fraud would face civil, criminal and administrative penalties in accordance with the law.

Moreover, every stage of the examination process was monitored by a seven-agency anti-corruption network, the DLA said.

The network comprised the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, the Anti-Corruption Division, the Department of Special Investigation, the Anti-Money Laundering Office, the DLA and the Central Local Government Personnel Examination Committee.

Representatives from all seven agencies observed the examination process from beginning to end, according to the statement.