Education Minister Orders Probe Into Official Over China Summer Scam
Education Minister Prasert Chantharavongthong has ordered the Office of the Basic Education Commission to complete an investigation within five days into a level‑8 official accused of orchestrating a fraudulent China summer study scheme that defrauded over 60 students and parents of millions of baht. Victims have lodged police complaints, and the minister warned of disciplinary and criminal action against the implicated civil servant, who has a prior record of similar allegations.
Education Minister Prasert Chantharavongthong said the accused is a level‑8 civil servant working within one of the Office of the Basic Education Commission’s offices and had previously been accused and reprimanded several years ago. The ministry pledged not to let the matter drag on and would act decisively, as damage has already occurred. It will expedite actions related to the case to prevent further escalation. When asked how affected victims would be compensated for their financial losses, Prasert said the fact‑finding committee would summon the accused, who holds a doctorate degree, to appear for questioning. He urged the committee to finish its work within five days to ascertain the true extent of the loss before deciding on remedies, and emphasized that both disciplinary and criminal penalties would be warranted. He added that, although the summer program was not an official ministry policy but a private initiative, the accused’s status as a ministry employee necessitates firm administrative and legal measures.
