Politics
Interior Ministry Official Responds to Allegations Regarding 2023 Local Government Exams
Nirat Pongsitthithavorn, acting head of the Department of Local Administration, has denied allegations of corruption and interference in the 2023 local government recruitment process.
On August 7, 2026, Nirat Pongsitthithavorn, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and acting Director-General of the Department of Local Administration (DLA), issued a formal response to claims made by Rangsiman Rome, Chairman of the House Committee on Law, Justice, and Human Rights.
Mr. Rome had previously raised concerns regarding potential corruption and procedural irregularities during the 2023 recruitment process for local government officials, specifically questioning the cancellation of the contract with Burapha University. In his statement, Mr. Nirat asserted that the DLA’s actions were conducted with integrity and were not subject to improper interference. He explained that the decision to terminate the contract with the university was made to prevent potential financial damage to the state.
For residents and those interested in the Thai civil service, this clarification highlights ongoing scrutiny regarding the transparency of public sector recruitment. The DLA has confirmed that a new, more rigorous and transparent examination process is scheduled for 2028.
While the Ministry has provided its account of the events, the matter remains under public and parliamentary observation. It is yet to be confirmed how the committee will respond to these explanations or if further investigations into the 2023 process will be pursued by oversight bodies.