Category: The Bangkok Post

A probe into Department of Local Administration (DLA) recruitment exam results has found irregularities among 5,372 candidates, accounting for 35.84% of nearly 15,000 applicants who reported for appointment as local government officials.

Unsit Sampuntharat, permanent secretary for the interior, said the Interior Ministry had completed its own investigation into the alleged fraud in the 2025 local government recruitment examinations.

The review focused on identifying irregularities and determining whether any ministry officials were involved, while parallel investigations are being conducted by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

He welcomed the appointment by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of a committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt to examine the allegations.

The panel which includes national police chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch has been given 30 days from July 6 to complete its initial investigation.

He said the DLA had reviewed all 14,988 candidates who reported for appointment out of 15,520 candidates called for recruitment.

A total of 9,217 candidates, or 61.5%, were found to have normal scores, while 5,372 candidates were identified as having irregularities.

Among those irregularities cases, 3,044 candidates are flagged for general anomalies in the scoring system, representing 20.31%.

Another 1,522 cases involved discrepancies in which answer-sheet scores were one point lower than figures recorded in the electronic database, accounting for 10.15%. A further 806 candidates, or 5.38%, failed to meet minimum score requirements, including receiving fewer than 10 marks in English.

The DLA said another 399 cases, or 2.66%, remained under review due to technical and documentation issues, including unclear image files, missing image records and candidates whose names did not appear in the electronic database.

Original documents and answer sheets are being re-examined to determine the final outcome. Among the 10 examination centres nationwide, Chiang Mai recorded the highest proportion of normal results at 79.15%, followed by Phitsanulok at 72.9%.

Repairs to the leaky Purple Line train tunnel in Klong San district, Bangkok, were making progress and the water flow has already been reduced, the city governor said on Sunday morning.

Chadchart Sittipunt was speaking at the site of the leak, near Wong Wian Yai roundabout. He said five grouting machines were being used to strengthen the soil adjacent to the tunnel.

Tunnel grouting machines are specialized systems used to inject grout into the gap between pre-cast concrete segments and the surrounding ground.

Mr Chadchart said cement grouting had reduced water leakage into the tunnel from 50 cubic metres per hour to 20 cubic metres an hour as of Saturday evening.

“The present situation is free of concern,” he said.

Mr Chadchat said there should not be any further obstacles to the repair work. Rainfall was limited on Saturday. He was informed on Sunday morning there had been no further subsidence of nearby buildings or road surfaces.

Authorities had ordered the evacuation of two apartment buildings, and 111 residents agreed to move out. Seven residents had refused to leave the affected buildings, he said.

The water leak started in one of the two tunnels in the extended section of the Purple Line railway system on Wednesday. The extended section was the site of a huge sinkhole on Sam Sen Road in Dusit district last year.

The present leak was spotted at a sump pit in the tunnel. It caused the subsidence of about 30 centimetres of the surface of Prachadhipok Road, and big cracks appeared in some nearby buildings.

The government plans to launch a project that would allow vendors to offer ready-to-eat food at 40 baht per dish by next month, according to the commerce minister.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said food vendors were being invited to take part in the 40-baht meal project. She expected it would be launched by the end of the month and would help bring down the cost of living.

The project would have an initial life of three months, but could be expanded.

Ms Suphajee said high fuel prices had led to food vendors raising their prices by 5-10 baht per dish. Prices were now above 50 baht.

The government would provide participating vendors with a raw materials subsidy, which could be 3,000, 5,000 or 10,000 baht per vendor. The government would finalise the subsidy amount, and pick the dishes that would be included in the 40-baht list.

Ms Suphajee expected 100,000 food vendors would participate. She based this on the roughly 250,000 food vendors who are already within the network of the Ministry of Commerce and take part in the ongoing Thais Help Thais Plus co-payment scheme.

The commerce minister said she would present the project to the cabinet in the third week of this month. If the cabinet gives approval, the project could be implemented before August, she said.

Ms Suphajee said vendors’ participation would be voluntary.

‘This will give people another choice of meals. The ministry will print clear signs that will be posted by participating vendors… If the project is well received it could continue and the number of eateries offering economical dishes could expand nationwide,’ Ms Suphajee said.

The Civil Court has ordered Kasikornbank Plc to pay 1 million baht for failing to detect suspicious after-midnight transfers in the case of Thai-British actress Charlotte Austin, who lost 4 million baht to scammers in 2024.

The ruling was handed down on Wednesday in the suit filed against the bank by Miss Charlotte Co Ltd, which manages the Phuket-born actress’s assets and financial interests.

The fifth runner-up in Miss Grand Thailand 2022 was among the first Thai public figures to fall victim to scam gangs. Her case also encouraged other victims of similar scams to file police complaints.

Ms Charlotte, then 25, received a video call on Dec 7, 2024, from a man claiming to be an official from the Department of Special Investigation. He told her she was suspected of money laundering in a case involving scandal-hit Stark Corporation, which was in the headlines at the time.

The caller instructed her to transfer 4 million baht so that authorities could verify her innocence. Following the instructions, she made three transfers through the KBank mobile banking application, including two after midnight, while being forced to remain on a video call with the scammer.

The Criminal Court in May last year sentenced four defendants in the case to prison terms ranging from six to seven years.

The lawsuit, seeking 4 million baht in damages, alleged that the bank had breached its obligations under a deposit agreement.

The plaintiff argued that the transactions were clearly unusual and high-risk, but the bank failed to detect them or issue any warnings, resulting in financial losses.

Kasikornbank argued that its transaction monitoring and fraud prevention systems met industry standards and that the transfers were processed as ordinary transactions under its normal detection criteria.

Shared responsibility

After reviewing the evidence, the court divided its ruling into two parts.

It found that the first transfer of 2 million baht, made at 5pm, was a normal transaction and said the bank could not reasonably have known it was linked to a scam.

However, the court found that the second and third transfers, totalling 2 million baht, were abnormal because they were consecutive transfers made after midnight.

The court said the bank should have had more robust monitoring systems and safeguards to detect such suspicious activity.

However, it also found that the plaintiff had been negligent in transferring money to the scammers and ruled that responsibility for the loss should be shared equally between the plaintiff and the bank.

The ruling is consistent with an amended emergency decree introduced in April 2025 that mandates shared responsibility for financial fraud, based on each party’s level of negligence.

Kasikornbank was ordered to pay 1 million baht in compensation to Miss Charlotte Co Ltd, plus annual interest of 5% from Dec 8, 2024. The bank was also ordered to reimburse court fees proportional to the plaintiff’s successful claim and pay 20,000 baht in legal fees.

Nitithorn “Lawyer James” Kaewto, Ms Charlotte’s lawyer, said the ruling sets an important precedent for businesses in the entertainment industry, as well as the general public, seeking to hold financial institutions accountable for their handling of suspicious transactions, particularly those occurring late at night.

The government has tightened birth registration procedures nationwide as a police investigation widens into a scheme that enabled about 500 Chinese children to obtain Thai nationality with fraudulent documents.

Authorities are prioritising efforts to prevent corruption and exploitation of Thailand’s civil registration system, deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana said on Saturday following a number of arrests in the “fake fathers” scandal.

The Ministry of Interior has ordered an urgent review of birth registration procedures at all 878 district offices nationwide. It said cases involving a foreign parent must now include an in-person appearance before registration officers to confirm parental identity.

The measure aims to prevent impersonation and the use of forged documents, while reducing opportunities for criminal networks to exploit Thai nationality to hold property, conduct business or launder money through Thai citizens, Ms Lalida said.

A number of arrests were made this week as police and the Department of Provincial Administration closed in on a network that included district officers and hospital staff, as well as Thai men paid to pose as fathers of Chinese women’s children.

The probe is part of a wider investigation into a network headed by Chen Yin Lai, a Chinese national arrested in April 2024 on suspicion of laundering more than 70 billion baht through Thailand.

Police found that Chen and his Chinese wife had three children with Thai nationality, raising questions about the registration process.

Investigators said the network recruited Thai men as “fake fathers” to acknowledge paternity, allowing Chinese children to obtain Thai nationality and related rights. (Story continues below)

Five hospitals implicated

Pol Gen Samran Nualma, a deputy national police chief, said that more than 500 foreign children may have been falsely registered as Thai nationals, with staff at five private hospitals in Bangkok allegedly involved in facilitating the process.

He said at least 62 people have been linked to the network.

Police so far have arrested 27 suspects – 12 women and 15 men – including suspected fake fathers, Chinese mothers and registration-related personnel. The suspects were detained at the Bang Yi Ruea police station in Thon Buri district of Bangkok before being taken to court.

The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases on Saturday denied bail to all 27 suspects, citing the serious nature of the offences and concerns over national security.

The suspects face charges under several sections of the Criminal Code, as well as the Civil Registration Act and provisions of the Organic Act on Counter Corruption.

Of the 27 suspects, 26 submitted requests for temporary release, while only one did not seek bail. Police had opposed the release of the suspects.

Following the ruling, corrections officials took the male suspects to Bangkok Remand Prison and the female suspects to the Central Women’s Correctional Institution.

Among those arrested were Sunee Satitmanotham, a birth registration officer at Samitivej Thonburi Hospital, and Siriporn Nidthim, a registrar at the Thon Buri district office. Both declined to comment while being fingerprinted on Friday.

Investigators are pursuing 26 additional suspects accused of acting as fake fathers. The inquiry will also examine possible involvement of other district office personnel and private hospital staff.

One suspect, taxi driver Ongart Chaikulab, admitted signing documents acknowledging two children but denied knowingly taking part in wrongdoing. He said he received 2,000 baht each time as compensation for time spent away from driving his taxi.

Another suspect, Viroj Phumchaya, admitted signing paternity documents for four children from two Chinese families. He said he understood the families wanted to raise the children in Thailand but claimed he was unaware of the wider consequences.

Nominee shareholder

Another “fake father” suspect is already facing charges of acting as a nominee shareholder in China Railway Number 10 (Thailand), the company that built the State Audit Office headquarters, which collapsed during the March 2025 earthquake, killing 95 people.

The suspects initially face charges of aiding and abetting state officials in the wrongful performance or omission of duties.

Police are awaiting DNA test results before deciding whether to seek further arrest warrants, including for Chen Yin Lai’s Chinese wife and a Thai man accused of falsely acknowledging paternity of her three children.

Investigators believe the results will provide key evidence as the case expands.

Wittoon Sirinukul, deputy director-general of the Department of Provincial Administration, said fraudulent registrations could allow foreign children to gain the full rights and privileges of Thai citizens, including access to education, healthcare, welfare benefits and property ownership.

Apple chief executive Tim Cook has blamed the US memory-chip manufacturer Micron for forcing the tech giant to aggressively increase product prices in late June, drawing a sharp counter-accusation from the supplier.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Mr Cook said memory-chip production capacity had plummeted just as consumer demand surged. He alleged that memory manufacturers had seized the opportunity to increase RAM trading prices, leaving Apple to shoulder massive cost increases.

The chief executive’s remarks strongly imply that Apple views memory-chip manufacturers as the root cause of the current severe chip shortage and skyrocketing prices.

However, Micron chief business officer Sumit Sadana hit back in a separate interview with the Journal, recalling the market downturn of 2023. He noted that during that period, several major clients capitalised on the situation by aggressively driving down prices to historic lows for their own benefit.

Mr Sadana argued that this predatory pricing squeezed the profit margins of memory chipmakers, including Micron, leaving them without the capital required to build new factories or expand production capacity. Consequently, he said, manufacturers now lack the facilities needed to meet the massive spike in customer demand.

While Mr Sadana stopped short of naming Apple directly, international media outlets quickly inferred that the iPhone maker was a primary target of the criticism. Apple is one of Micron’s largest customers and is widely known for leveraging long-term contracts to squeeze suppliers.

Recent industry data reveals that memory and storage chip prices have quadrupled compared to the past three quarters. Prices are projected to surge by another 58% to 63% by the end of the third quarter of 2026.

Analysts at JPMorgan warned that smartphone prices could climb even higher in the future. They estimated that memory-chip production costs for the iPhone could jump by approximately 45% by 2027.

Meanwhile, data from the market research firm Gartner indicates that combined memory and storage chip prices are on track to soar by up to 130% by the end of 2026. This spike is expected to drive up PC prices by 17% and smartphone prices by more than 13%.

AIA Thailand has launched AIA Connect, a premium office development on Ratchadaphisek-Rama IX Road, marking the insurer’s fourth office property investment in Thailand as it seeks to capitalise on growing demand for high-quality workplaces designed for hybrid working.

Developed under the “Home-Inspired Workplace” concept, the project integrates workspace, employee well-being, technology and sustainability to meet the evolving needs of modern businesses.

Nikhil Advani, chief executive officer of AIA Thailand, said the development was designed to connect transport, business and urban lifestyles while supporting Thailand’s long-term economic growth.

The investment coincides with the company’s 88th anniversary in Thailand and reflects its confidence in the long-term prospects of Bangkok’s premium office market, he said.

Mark Konyn, group chief investment officer of AIA Group, said competition in the commercial property sector had shifted from expanding floor space to improving workplace quality, user experience and employee well-being.

Modern office buildings must offer greater value than conventional workplaces to meet changing tenant expectations and evolving work patterns, he said.

Eric Lu, chief investment officer of AIA Thailand, said the building features column-free floor plates of about 1,700-2,100 square metres per floor, with knock-out panels allowing future inter-floor connections as tenants expand.

The development also includes a five-storey retail podium, restaurants, fitness facilities, terraced gardens and a wellness walking track.

Located on Ratchadaphisek Road in the Rama IX business district, the building has direct access to the MRT Blue Line at Thailand Cultural Centre station. It is also expected to benefit from the future interchange with the MRT Orange Line, scheduled to open in 2028, improving connectivity between eastern and western Bangkok.

The Department of Local Administration (DLA) has suspended the submission of project proposals by local administrative organisations under the government’s 200-billion-baht energy transition loan programme.

The decision follows criticism from the opposition that some of the projects appeared unrelated to clean energy objectives.

In a circular dated July 10, acting director-general Boonprasong Nuansai instructed all provincial governors to cancel the proposal process pending a review.

He said the move was intended to ensure that all projects proposed under the scheme complied with the objectives and spirit of the emergency decree.

The suspension revoked an earlier directive that had required local authorities to submit proposals by July 17 for provincial screening before being forwarded to the Interior Ministry.

The decision came after People’s Party deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakun questioned whether the programme could be used to insert projects for political or private gain under the guise of energy transition.

Ms Sirikanya said the opposition had obtained documents circulated to local authorities that resembled a catalogue of pre-selected projects rather than proposals initiated by local governments themselves.

Among the listed items were electric garbage trucks, solar-powered sports grounds, solar-powered oxygen generators and rooftop solar installations.

The level of detail raised concerns that vendors or contractors had already been quietly lined up, she said.

No approvals yet

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul rejected the allegations, saying no projects had yet been approved.

The government had been waiting for the outcome of an opposition legal challenge to the 400-billion-baht borrowing decree in the Constitutional Court, which ruled this week that it was lawful.

Mr Anutin said all proposals must first pass scrutiny by a screening committee chaired by the permanent secretary for the Ministry of Finance and other senior officials before being submitted to the cabinet.

“There are no approved projects yet,” he said, dismissing suggestions that procurement specifications had been predetermined for items such as electric refuse trucks.

Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liangprasit also defended the programme, saying the Interior Ministry had merely instructed the DLA to collect and screen proposals from local governments.

He said examples such as rooftop solar panels and electric ambulances were provided to help local authorities understand the types of projects that could support cleaner energy use in public services, not as a catalogue of mandatory purchases.

He said all procurement would be subject to the Budget Bureau’s standard pricing rules and strict screening criteria to ensure transparency.

INGLEWOOD, California – sub Mikel Merino snatched another late winner for Spain on Friday after Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens failed to hold onto the ball as they claimed a 2-1 win over their injury-hit opponents and set up a World Cup semi-final clash with France.

After the teams went in level at 1-1 following the first half, Spain eventually prevailed when Belgian back-up keeper Lammens, who came on in the second period for the injured Thibaut Courtois, spilled Pau Cubarsi’s low strike.

The ball bounced ?in front of Lammens, giving Merino just enough time ?to fire home as the sold-out crowd largely backing Spain erupted on a sweltering day at Los Angeles Stadium.

“There are no such things as coincidences,” said Merino, who also scored a late winner as a substitute in Spain’s 1-0 round-of-16 victory over Portugal. “If you go into a match well-prepared, things tend to happen again.”

The last time Spain reached the semi-finals the World Cup was in 2010, when they won the tournament.

“We are two matches away from winning the World Cup and that is what we are going after,” added Merino.

European champions Spain will face tournament favourites France in Dallas on Tuesday for a spot in the final.

“We’re going to work hard to try and beat France,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said. “They’ll be just as worried as we ?are.”

Spain aggressive

Spain were aggressive early on against Belgium and Fabian Ruiz gave them the lead on the half-hour mark, pouncing after Courtois made an excellent diving save to fire a shot between defender Timothy Castagne’s legs and into the net.

Ruiz’s goal vindicated De la Fuente’s surprise decision to start the Paris St Germain midfielder in place of Pedri, who came on for Ruiz early in the second half.

Belgium responded 11 minutes later through Charles De Ketelaere, who timed his run perfectly and headed Castagne’s cross past keeper Unai Simon, the first goal Spain have conceded in the tournament.

The equaliser breathed new life ?into Belgium and the teams battled to halftime in the oppressive heat.

Spain came out energised after the break, controlling possession and chipping away at the Belgium defence, especially through electric 18-year-old Lamine Yamal, who was a threat throughout the match.

It felt inevitable that Spain, who had 17 shots to Belgium’s five, would eventually ?score again and they did through Merino, who netted two minutes after being introduced in the 86th.

The attacking midfielder is the first player in World Cup history to score the winner in two different knockout stage matches as a substitute.

A Belgium side led by veterans Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku searched ?for ?another equaliser and, despite some promising chances, they could not find a way through.

Belgium injuries

Belgium were at a disadvantage before the match began.

Their captain Youri Tielemans was taken out of the starting lineup shortly before kickoff after sustaining an injury in the warm-up, with Hans Vanaken replacing him.

Belgium ?were also without midfielder Amadou Onana, who tore his ACL in their round-of-16 win over the United States.

But the biggest loss would prove to be Courtois.

The 34-year-old Real Madrid keeper, widely considered one of the world’s best, made four terrific saves but said he felt muscle pain in his leg on long kicks in the second half.

Courtois was devastated and in tears as he left the field after Belgium coach Rudi Garcia decided to bring him ?off.

“I wanted to continue but, yeah, the coach wanted someone 100%, so okay, that’s his decision … and that’s not a problem,” Courtois said.

That decision ?would prove to be fateful and Courtois could only look on as Lammens failed to make the routine save that allowed Merino to perform his latest heroics.

“Senne, obviously, I gave him a big hug” Courtois said. “Not much more I can do at the moment. I know, for goalkeepers, this is a shit feeling, and he’s a great goalkeeper, and he will only get stronger from this.”

Among the 70,492 crowd at a sun-splashed Los Angeles Stadium were Courtney Love and Noel Gallagher, American actor Brad ?Pitt and Spanish actors Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem.

The quarter-final was the eighth ?and final World Cup match played at the $5 billion venue, known as SoFi Stadium outside of the tournament, which is home to the NFL’s Rams and Chargers.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is stepping up efforts to address water seepage inside the under-construction Purple Line extension tunnel and road subsidence on Prajadhipok Road, while expanding safety measures for nearby residents with round-the-clock monitoring.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, accompanied by civil engineering expert Thanes Weerasiri, visited the site in the Wong Wian Yai area of Khlong San district on Saturday to monitor efforts to stabilise the area following reports of water leakage inside the tunnel and settlement of the road surface.

The seepage was first reported on Wednesday night after heavy rain affected the tunnel under construction for the Southern Purple Line MRT project (Tao Poon-Rat Burana section) near the Wong Wian Yai station. City Hall evacuated people from nearby buildings and closed the road near the site.

Mr Chadchart, who began his second term as governor this week, ordered the removal of the pedestrian bridge across the construction site after subsidence was detected at its midpoint.

The move will also facilitate the installation of four grouting machines to inject cement-based materials into the ground to strengthen soil conditions.

Workers have begun drilling to a depth of 37 metres, below the tunnel base level of 31 metres, in an effort to reinforce underground soil, prevent further water ingress and stabilise the surrounding area.

Mr Thanes said monitoring equipment installed in cooperation with Kasetsart University showed no significant movement in surrounding buildings.

Engineers were using tiltmeters to detect structural leaning and inclinometers to measure horizontal and vertical ground movement. Data from the highly sensitive instruments is being transmitted via a wireless network to the BMA control centre, allowing officials to monitor conditions around the clock.

Despite rainfall overnight, groundwater levels remained stable and did not worsen the situation, said the engineering expert.

The tunnel incident differed from last year’s sinkhole incident at Vajira Hospital because there was no opening at the surface allowing water to flow downward. The seepage appeared to be originating from below ground, said Mr Thanes.

However, minor cracks have been observed on the road surface, prompting authorities to continue close monitoring and maintain heightened caution.

Mr Chadchart reported that the water seepage had affected 141 residents of two apartment buildings nearby, with some of them reported to have left the area. Fifty-two residents reported being temporarily evacuated, while 34 remained in place.

The governor said the BMA had set up a complaint centre in the area to assist residents and explain the close monitoring measures in effect in the area.

Prajadhipok Road remains closed from the King Taksin the Great Monument to the Yaek Baan Kaek intersection. Drivers are advised to use Issaraphap, Lat Ya and Somdet Chao Phraya roads instead while repairs take place, said Mr Chadchart.

The civil works for the Purple Line extension have been split into six different contracts, with the MRTA awarding them to five major Thai construction companies.

A joint venture between Italian-Thai Development Plc and Nawarat Patanakarn Plc is responsible for the 3.1-kilometre underground section that passes beneath the Chao Phraya River.