Thailand's OBEC Denies Link to Failed China Study Trip; Students Stranded at Suvarnabhumi

Key summary

On Friday, October 16, 2026, Thailand's Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) publicly rejected claims of involvement in a collapsed study programme to China that left 45 students stranded at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The group comprised pupils from three schools located in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and Chonburi. Families paid THB39,900 per student, bringing the total collected to THB1.7955 million for a short course originally scheduled to run from October 15 to October 26. The trip was organized by an individual holding the title Dr and another person who entered into a memorandum of understanding with a Chinese university; parents transferred funds directly to the organizing teacher's bank account. One organizer allegedly represented themselves as an OBEC official, prompting social media allegations that students and parents were deceived by someone posing as an agency civil servant. The organizers initially planned for Xi'an but changed the destination to Beijing on October 11, citing dormitory accommodation issues in Xi'an. During a meeting held from 10am to noon on October 13, organizers assured parents the trip would proceed and instructed participants to arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport by 3pm on October 15 for a flight departing at 6:20pm. Despite teachers, students, and parents arriving at the airport, airline staff confirmed no tickets were available and the group could not travel. Organizers promised full refunds by October 15, though some parents reported receiving only partial repayments. Late that night, families lodged a complaint at Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station, which recorded the incident as evidence, with plans to file further complaints at Phlapphla Chai 1 Police Station, Mueang Chonburi Police Station, and the relevant local police station in Nonthaburi. OBEC secretary-general Thanu Kwandej addressed the situation, stating that preliminary checks indicated the programme was organized in a personal capacity with no established connection to OBEC's operations or programmes. He added that if the individual concerned is indeed an OBEC staff member, a fact-finding committee will be appointed promptly, and disciplinary or criminal proceedings will be pursued to the fullest extent if grounds exist.