Probe finds school head took money

The director of Samsenwittayalai School committed a severe disciplinary violation in connection with allegedly accepting payments to enrol students, according to Lt Gen Kosol Prathumchart, adviser to the education minister.

A disciplinary probe into Wiroj Samruan, the school director, started after a video clip was released in June last year. It shows a man alleged to be Mr Wiroj demanding 400,000 baht in “tea money” from a parent in exchange for enroling his child in the school.

Having looked into the case and examined accounts from all parties, the probe team found the director to be in the wrong.

Lt Gen Kosol said the director had taken the money from the parent but failed to put it in state coffers. The probe team also investigated at least two accomplices, but they have not been identified publicly.

Mr Wiroj has been called to acknowledge the disciplinary charge within 15 days. If the director decides to fight the charge, the probe team will consider the information he presents to it. If Mr Wiroj accepts the findings, the investigation result will be finalised and forwarded to the Bangkok education office which will consider a punishment, Lt Gen Kosol said.

In June last year, the director insisted he never took the bribe and he was being blackmailed by a group of school alumni who were upset because their children could not get into the school. He also claimed the video clip allegedly showing the payment had been doctored to defame him, according to the Office of the Basic Education Commission Obec secretarygeneral Karun Sakulpradit, who oversaw the probe.

Lt Gen Kosol said a severe disciplinary violation warrants dismissal, and added he expected the case will be wrapped up next month. The adviser also suggested the school may have taken tea money of up to 8 million baht from other parents. No receipts were issued for these payments. “This is clearly against regulations,” said Lt Gen Kosol.

In another case, Lt Gen Kosol said the director of a kindergarten in Lampang is also facing a disciplinary hearing pending likely dismissal by an investigation panel.

The director is accused of taking out a loan from the school’s finances and having his former secretary act as guarantor. He failed to repay the loan and the secretary is now struggling to service the debt. Lt Gen Kosol added the director allegedly spent the money on personal treats, including overseas trips.