Thailand weighs suspending nearly 6,000 officials over exam scandal

Thousands of Thai civil servants face possible suspension over an exam cheating scandal, authorities said, as investigators widened a probe that has already led to three arrests.

The scandal began in June, when investigators said they had concluded that officials accepted bribes of up to 800,000 baht, or $23,847, to electronically alter candidates' results so they could pass mandatory exams for government appointments or promotions.

Interior ministry official Unsit Sampuntharat told reporters that police found irregularities in the results of 5,814 civil servants who had taken the exams. He said they could be suspended pending a committee decision as early as Friday.

Unsit said the damage was enormous and unfair to people who obtained their positions honestly.

The ministry said it would review about 800,000 exam papers as investigators try to determine the full extent of the alleged fraud.

Police said the alleged masterminds, two men and one woman, have been arrested on charges including destroying and concealing official documents. One was arrested after fleeing to neighbouring Laos. If convicted, they could be fined and face up to five years in prison.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who has made tackling corruption a priority, condemned the alleged fraud. Speaking on Wednesday, he warned of a cycle in which officials used corrupt means to obtain positions of power and responsibility, giving them further opportunities for corruption.

The arrests followed a 17-day joint investigation by police and anti-corruption agencies, during which officers seized computers and examination documents.

Corruption and bribery cases regularly make headlines in Thailand, but the source report said it is rare for so many public officials to be affected. Civil servants in Thailand typically earn between about $530 and $2,300 a month, depending on rank.