Politician ‘used proxy to take PhD exams’

Deputy Prime Minister and Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader Prawit Wongsuwon has ordered an investigation into a scandal in which a party politician is accused of using a proxy to attend classes and take exams to gain a doctoral degree.

PPRP spokeswoman Patcharin Sumsiripong said Gen Prawit has set up a three-member committee to look into the allegation and the panel is expected to wrap up the probe in 14 days.

“The party takes the issue seriously because it is a matter of ethics and affects the party’s image,” she said.

The scandal erupted when a staterun university sent a letter to the PPRP to ask about the status of a party member known as “Sor” who had enrolled in a PhD programme. The individual is said to be a political officeholder attached to the Justice Ministry.

According to the letter, the person enrolled in an intermediate English course for PhD students but did not attend classes. It was reported that while he was enrolled, he used a proxy to sit exams. When the university found out about the matter, it removed him from the course.

Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said yesterday that Samart Jenchaijitwanich, assistant to the justice minister, had enrolled in the programme but insisted he has no details about the scandal.

Mr Somsak quoted Mr Samart telling him that he actually took the PhD course and that the programme required him to take an English proficiency course.