Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has dismissed as "nonsense" allegations arising from a leaked audio clip purportedly linking the wife of the Interior Ministry's permanent secretary to a local government recruitment examination fraud.
He insisted investigations should be based on evidence rather than social media claims and vowed any proven corruption would be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.
Mr Anutin, who also serves as interior minister, was asked on Friday about an audio clip circulated by the Facebook page CSI LA, which claimed the ministry's permanent secretary was connected to a scheme to rig recruitment examinations for local government officials. He described the allegations as "nonsense", saying the clip contained unverified claims and urging journalists to distinguish between substantiated facts and speculation.
"If we do not rely on facts, what else should we rely on?" he said, adding there was no reason to give credence to baseless claims.
"My policy is clear: wherever there is corruption, a lack of transparency or unfairness towards examination candidates, all those involved must be dealt with in accordance with the law," he said.
Mr Anutin said responsibility for the investigation rested with the police, the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Anti-Money Laundering Office and the inquiry panel appointed by the ministry's permanent secretary. The ministry and the Department of Local Administration had already filed complaints with police.
Meanwhile, Interior Ministry permanent secretary Unsit Sampantharat denied allegations that his wife had any involvement in the examination fraud, adding that anyone could examine his family's background.
Separately, Crime Suppression Division investigators said the case stemmed from complaints by examination candidates after irregularities were uncovered in recruitment tests for local government posts last year.
More than 400,000 people applied for about 6,000 positions. Investigators believe about 9,000 candidates paid between 300,000 and 900,000 baht each to a network promising guaranteed appointments, generating illicit proceeds estimated at more than 4 billion baht.
Police said searches uncovered premises in Nonthaburi allegedly used to alter answer sheets. Officers seized documentary evidence and questioned 10 officials found at the property, which investigators said belonged to the director of the Strategy and Budget Division at Wichian Buri Municipality in Phetchabun. The official later resigned.
Investigators believe the network has operated for more than two years and are examining financial transactions dating to 2024. The leaked audio clip remains under investigation.
