Thai Education Ministry Accelerates Probe into 'Virtual Field Trip' Scam Involving Specialized Staff

Key summary

Education Minister Prasert Chantaruangthong stated that the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) has established a committee to investigate an alleged fraud case involving a 'virtual field trip' project. The investigation, which began on Monday, October 19, 2026, is scheduled to conclude within seven days. The scheme allegedly defrauded 62 students and 8 teachers from 11 schools, primarily in the central region, of approximately 40,000 baht per person, totaling around 2.4 million baht. The accused individual, a civil servant at the OBEC with the rank of 'specialized skill' (chanam kan phet), allegedly organized a trip to Xi'an Jiaotong University in China for October 15-26, 2026. Victims traveled to the airport but were not taken on the trip as planned. The minister confirmed that the accused had a history of similar behavior and that the fraud was conducted personally, unrelated to the Ministry. Money transfers were made to an external individual's account, not an OBEC official. The ministry will determine the accused's disciplinary action after the investigation concludes and is working to recover the funds.