Key witness, financial trail emerge in local government recruitment exam fraud probe

BANGKOK — 4 September 2026, A key witness and financial evidence are expected to provide new leads in a police investigation into an alleged network involved in corruption and cheating in Thailand’s local government recruitment examinations.

Police from the Counter Corruption Division (CCD) on 4 September were due to receive additional information from Prawit, also known as “Mayor Heng,” a former chief executive of Samrong Subdistrict Administrative Organisation in Sisaket and former Pheu Thai parliamentary candidate.

Prawit was arrested on 26 August in connection with allegations of soliciting money from candidates seeking positions in the local government civil service. He was later released on bail.

According to a source close to Prawit, he was initially scheduled to provide information at the CCD on 4 September, but the meeting location was changed by police.

The source said Prawit was expected to provide evidence concerning financial transactions involving two Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officials allegedly connected to the case.

The financial records could potentially establish links to two suspects, “Win” and Sgt Maj Pichit, also known as “Ja Pichit,” who are currently detained at Bangkok Remand Prison in connection with the alleged exam fraud.

Prawit also reportedly brought a key witness to provide information to investigators. The witness is said to have close knowledge of the two DSI officials and could provide information about alleged links between one of the officials and Pichit, whom they reportedly attended school with.

The source further alleged that the person ultimately behind the alleged exam fraud network is more senior than the department chief previously prosecuted in the case, and claimed the individual holds ministerial-level office in the current government.

These claims have not been independently confirmed.

The source also maintained that Prawit was not involved in soliciting money or the alleged cheating operation, but had intervened after a subordinate allegedly lost money to the network.

The source described Prawit’s arrest as an attempt to cut off the investigation and alleged that it was politically motivated.

Police have not publicly confirmed the source’s allegations concerning the identity or political position of any alleged mastermind.