Local Government Exam Fraud: Revocations to Conclude by August 31

Nirat Pongsitthavorn, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and acting Director-General of the Department of Local Administration, announced on August 27, 2026, that the process to revoke the appointments of 5,925 local government officials is nearing completion. According to Khaosod Online, these individuals were identified as having insufficient exam scores, necessitating their removal from service.

Provincial committees across Thailand’s 76 provinces have nearly concluded their meetings to formalize these revocations. Local administrative organizations, including Provincial Administrative Organizations (PAOs), Sub-district Administrative Organizations (SAOs), and municipalities, are currently executing the removal orders. Officials report that the process is proceeding smoothly, with the three major local government associations confirming that the necessary evidence regarding exam scores has been accepted by all parties involved.

For residents and expatriates, this administrative action highlights ongoing efforts to ensure the integrity of local government staffing. While the Ministry of Interior maintains that the situation is stable and no legal challenges have been filed by the affected individuals to date, the finalization of these removals is strictly scheduled for August 31, 2026. It remains to be seen how these vacancies will be filled and whether the transition will impact the delivery of local public services in the coming months.