Fake degrees from the web, road to jail

Fake degrees from the web, road to jail

A balloon showing a smiling graduate is seen at a bus stop. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)
A balloon showing a smiling graduate is seen at a bus stop. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)

Google "buying education certificates" in Thai, and you will see a list of websites and Facebook pages popping up.

The issue has become the talk of the town again and widely shared on social media, with posters wondering why the ads are allowed, and what the Education Ministry is doing about it.

One advert on the Facebook account of Khru Dao 2 showed the charge for all levels of fake certicates, from 3,000 baht for a Mathayom 3 (Grade 9) pass to 7,000 baht for a Bachelor's Degree.

"Sorry, this content isn't available right now." That was the message when the Bangkok Post went to the account on Friday.

Another ad showed competitive prices, starting from 5,000 baht for a Mathayom 3 certificate to 9,000 baht for a vocational study credential. Some ads even guaranteed the documents could be used to apply for a job.

Kamjorn Tatiyakavee, permanent secretary for education, on Friday warned those looking for an easy way to get a degree without going to the classroom could easily become victim of their own sloth.

"All are fake. And it is not possible to use them to apply for a job, because all companies can check back with the school or university," he told the Inside Thailand programme on Spring News.

"In fact with present printing technology, you can do it yourself at home with no need to pay money to those fraudsters. But you will certainly end up seeing the police after using it to apply for a job," he added.

"This problem is not new," he added.

Mr Kamjorn is right. Fake education certificates have been around for many years in this country, but the advent of the internet and social media has made it easier for these petty criminals and their schemes.

The ministry is seeking help from police to crack down on the websites and Facebook accounts selling them, Mr Kamjorn said. It will also consult other authorities to find out whether those posting such ads could be charged under the Computer Crimes Act.

Lawyer Decha Kittiwittayanan warned on his website that those producing fake education certificates and anybody using them would face criminal action. They could be fined or even jailed.

Punishment for producing fake official documents and using them is a fine of 1,000 to 10,000 baht and/or prison term of six months to five years, he said.

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