Former Thai MP Candidate Arrested in Local Exam Scam
Anti-Corruption Division police arrest former Pheu Thai MP candidate Pravit and local official over a local government exam bribery scheme totaling 650K baht.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- PBPAC police execute a Criminal Court warrant to arrest former MP candidate 'Naiok Heng' at his room
- Victim pays 650,000 baht for guaranteed exam placement but fails and loses money
- Investigation reveals a network of 110 coordinators involving roughly 5,000 applicants
- Police press charges for soliciting bribes to influence officials and continue financial probes
On August 27, the Anti-Corruption Division (PBPAC), under the direction of Pol. Maj. Gen. Jaroonkit Pankan, Deputy Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, launched a major operation. Armed with an arrest warrant issued by the Region 3 Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, officers apprehended Mr. Pravit Jaruratkul, widely known as 'Naiok Heng' and a former Member of Parliament candidate for the Pheu Thai Party, along with Mrs. Nawaporn Prueprang, an official of the Tong Pid Subdistrict Administrative Organization. The arrest took place inside a room located in Samrong subdistrict, Uthumphon Phisai district, Si Sa Ket province.
The case originated when a victim was persuaded to apply for a local government civil service examination. The suspects claimed that Naiok Heng held a special quota and possessed the ability to pull strings to guarantee a passing grade and official placement. Trusting these claims, the victim gradually handed over money, starting with a 100,000 baht deposit followed by an additional 270,000 baht. However, when the examination results were released, the victim ultimately failed.
During the subsequent local government examinations in 2025, the same victim was persuaded to try again, resulting in further financial demands that brought the total estimated loss to 650,000 baht. Yet, the outcome remained unchanged, and whenever the victim asked for a refund, the suspects consistently evaded and procrastinated.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
In-depth investigations by authorities uncovered alarming clues suggesting that this recruitment tactic was not isolated to a single victim. Instead, it operated as a structured network of coordinators or master agents tasked with gathering applicants into the system. Preliminary data indicates that approximately 5,000 applicants were linked to this network, managed by roughly 110 coordinator heads distributed across regions.
Investigation reports further revealed that certain coordinators managed upwards of a hundred applicants under their supervision. For instance, one case involved gathering around 200 applicants, out of which roughly 70 reportedly passed or secured placement. Meanwhile, allegations emerged that some unsuccessful candidates failed to recover their funds, prompting police to investigate whether all coordinator branches are connected and where the financial trails ultimately lead.
Local government examination corruption scams often exploit promises of 'special quotas' or political influence to prey on individuals seeking secure career paths. The fact that anti-corruption police successfully tracked down a massive network of master agents indicates a highly organized and systematic fraudulent operation rather than isolated incidents. Tracing the flow of money remains a crucial step in dismantling the entire syndicate and holding all involved parties legally accountable.
Additionally, authorities discovered evidence regarding individuals acting as decoys or recruiters, tracing their activities back to the 2025 exam cycle and connecting them to the 2026 local examination efforts. This forms another vital operational path that investigators are currently expanding upon.
Ultimately, following a thorough compilation of physical and testimonial evidence, inquiry officials from Division 3 of the PBPAC requested arrest warrants for both suspects. They face charges relating to soliciting, receiving, or agreeing to receive property to influence officials under Section 143 of the Criminal Code, alongside violations of Section 175 of the Organic Act on Anti-Corruption of 2018.
Source: Matichon Politics
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