Ministry of Education Investigates Private Colleges Over Student Loan Fraud

On September 22, 2026, Thailand’s Minister of Education, Prasert Chantararuangthong, announced that the Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC) is investigating allegations of systemic fraud at private colleges in Bueng Kan province. The investigation, which began on August 26, centers on reports that these institutions used the identities of students to apply for loans from the Student Loan Fund (SLF) in exchange for issuing vocational diplomas (Por Wor Sor).

Minister Prasert confirmed that the probe involves four private colleges under the same ownership. Authorities are currently examining evidence of document forgery and the unauthorized use of student names to claim government funding. This follows a previous case in Khon Kaen, where a technical college faced severe legal action, including a suspension of student admissions, after similar irregularities were discovered.

For residents and those involved in the Thai education sector, this investigation highlights ongoing efforts to curb corruption within vocational training institutions. While the Ministry has promised strict legal action against any government officials or private entities found complicit in the scheme, the full extent of the fraud and the specific number of affected students remain under investigation. Further updates are expected as the OVEC completes its audit of the involved institutions.