Bangkok: The National Statistical Office (NSO) has uncovered evidence of score manipulation during the data processing phase of local government recruitment exams, sparking a comprehensive review of the results for 15,520 newly appointed candidates. The Local Administration Department will conclude the review within three days to ensure transparency and fairness in the recruitment process.
According to Thai News Agency, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), in collaboration with the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), executed a search warrant at a residence in Bang Yai District, Nonthaburi Province. The search revealed the house was used to alter answer sheets, aligning scores with those who paid for passing the 2025 local government recruitment exam, with payments reportedly ranging from 350,000 to 800,000 baht. Approximately 3,000 altered answer sheets were discovered.
The Department of Local Administration issued an order in June 2026 to form a fact-finding committee tasked with investigating the recruitment examination process. The committee's preliminary findings indicate that there may have been manipulation of scores during the examination process, with a private company allegedly involved in access and modification of exam files. The investigation revealed discrepancies between scores in image files and compiled exam files submitted for official announcements.
To address the corruption concerns, the Department of Local Administration is working with its network partners to verify the accuracy of exam scores for appointed candidates. The department has committed to taking swift disciplinary, civil, and criminal actions against any personnel involved in the corruption, aiming to uphold transparency and public trust in the recruitment process.