Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya on Friday urged teachers involved to unveil the masterminds behind the substandard and overpriced futsal pitches at more than 100 schools.
Authorities inspect a substandard futsal pitch in Prathai district of Nakhon Ratchasima early in October. (Photo by Tawatchai Khemgumnerd)
Gen Paiboon said an initial probe found that some teachers had signed to accept the delivery of poor-quality futsal pitches on behalf of their schools and they would have to explain why.
The teachers who denied their involvement in the corruption would have to come up with evidence, the minister said, adding they had to explain clearly why they had done so even though they had known about irregularities, Gen Paiboon said.
If they claim their hands are tied, they will have to reveal who forced them to take the delivery, he said.
The information from the teachers would lead authorities to the masterminds behind the school futsal pitch scam, the minister said.
Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya
He said the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission found evidence involving some teachers and contractors and the National Anti-Corruption Commission would look into the case.
Besides, the Office of the Basic Education Commission would have to conduct disciplinary investigation on the teachers, Gen Paiboon said.
It was earlier reported that 727 of the teachers involved in the case were at 54 schools in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Substandard and overpriced futsal pitches were built at about 100 schools in 17 provinces.
Politicians during the term of the previous government reportedly pushed for the government budgetary allocation of 689 million baht for the construction at 358 schools two years ago.