A deputy director at a school in Khon Kaen was apprehended by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for accepting illicit payments known as “tea money” from parents in exchange for enrolling their children mid-term. The investigation was initiated following a complaint from a parent who alleged that the deputy director of a school affiliated with Khon Kaen Primary Educational Service Area Office 1 in Muang district demanded a payment of 20,000 baht for their child’s admission.
Upon negotiation, the amount was reduced to 10,000 baht since the child possessed reading and writing skills. Parents reported that the payments were to be made in cash without disclosure of their purpose. Subsequently, the NACC organized a sting operation by using marked banknotes to catch the school official in the act.
Following the exchange, the suspect was apprehended by police and the NACC and charged with bribery and abuse of official duties under the Criminal Code. Further investigations led to the discovery of additional instances of bribery involving the suspect and other parents.
The deputy school director was taken into custody by the authorities, who are gathering evidence for legal proceedings. Prateep Juthasorn, deputy secretary-general of NACC Region 4, indicated that the police will compile their evidence within 30 days before submitting a report to the NACC.
Preliminary findings revealed that approximately 70 students were admitted mid-term this academic year, with 60 of them allegedly paying “tea money.” Mr. Prateep stated that many victims were coerced into retracting their statements, noting that the school has connections to a politician.
