Thai exam-paper leak scandal puts minister at risk
Official at centre of row still due for pay rise despite his removal during probe
A minor scandal over allegations that university entrance exam papers were leaked has now blown up in Thai Education Minister Adisai Bodharamik's face, amidst accusations that he is protecting the official at the centre of the leak claims.
Lecturers and parents' groups have joined forces to call for the minister's removal following revelations that former Higher Education Commission secretary-general Voradej Chandarasorn was still in line for a pay rise despite being removed from his position while an investigation proceeded.
Controversy erupted after it was discovered that Mr Voradej had looked at the Thai language and social studies exam papers in late January, and that his staff took papers for all 34 subjects from the printing plant on March 4, two days before exams were due to begin.
Parents and teachers were outraged and believe well-connected students may have been given a sneak preview of the papers.
Mr Voradej has admitted he made an error of judgment but has strenuously denied he looked at the papers for any devious purpose. A panel set up to review the matter concluded in late March that no papers had been passed on to students but the panel's findings immediately came under fire because the probe was set up by Mr Voradej himself.
'As a civil servant, I have done my best. My actions were honest and well-intentioned,' said Mr Voradej, who has yet to explain why he was so desperate to look at the papers before the exams.
The Education Minister has denied that he approved a special pay rise for Mr Voradej, and said he was entitled to an annual raise just like any other C-11 level official. The salary review had been conducted over a six-month period separate from the alleged exam leak, he said, and if an ongoing House Committee on Education investigation turned up any wrongdoing, Mr Voradej's salary could be frozen. Meanwhile, Mr Voradej has been moved sideways to head up the Education Council, a policy advisory body.
Senator Wallop Tangkhananurak criticised Mr Adisai for shielding Mr Voradej. 'The court of public opinion has ruled that university entrance tests were leaked. Mr Adisai has undermined his own credibility by trying to protect Mr Voradej,' he said.
Groups, including the Parents' Network, Youth Group for Education Reform, Campaign for Popular Democracy and Co-ordination Centre for Youth, have also urged for both men to be removed.
