The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is monitoring money transactions of state-run schools in order to prevent bribes demanded in exchange for enrolling Matthayom 1 and 4 students in institutions with highly competitive admissions.
The NACC is working with education officials to look out for irregularities as secondary schools countrywide hold entrance exams over the weekend to select new Grade 7 and 10 students amid concerns some parents will offer bribes to secure places for their children at prestigious schools.
Even if parents and school directors consider the money "donations", the graft watchdog will maintain its cautious approach, casting doubts over possible bribery, Sanit Yaemkeson, assistant to the Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec), said yesterday.
If similar suspected cases occur, the schools will be subject to checks, especially of their money trails, he said.
The authorities want to ensure more transparent admissions, which are often marred by dishonest acts. The latest high-profile case erupted last year when Samsenwittayalai School director Viroj Samluan was accused of demanding 400,000 baht in "tea money" in exchange for enrolling a student.
Samsenwittayalai is among 283 schools across country known to be very selective. The school, located in Bangkok's Samsen district, is able to admit 240 Matthayom 1 students, but there are up to 734 applicants.
Their entrance exam took place simultaneously with other schools yesterday. Results will be announced on April 11.
Samsenwittayalai came under the spotlight last June when Chana Wongmusik, former chairman of the school's alumni association, cried foul over Mr Viroj's act, leading Obec to transfer him to an inactive post during a probe.
Obec does not want to see a recurrence of the event, so it told schools under its supervision to "strictly follow correct [enrolment] procedures and make themselves accountable", Mr Sanit said.
If applicants manage to get into schools but decide to give up their rights, administrators cannot make replacements at their will, he said. They have to select other students who are next on the name lists.
This year is also the first time the agency has restricted the number of Matthayom 1 students to 40 in each class, down from 50 to 60 students.
"This is aimed to level up education quality by reducing teachers' workload," Mr Sanit said.
There were no reports of irregularities during the exam in Bangkok yesterday. At Debsirin, where Mr Sanit led officials to observe the test, parents were seen praying with the school's deities for success.
Debsirin will admit only 200 from 782 applicants. Its rate of Matthayom 1 admission is slightly tougher than Samsenwittayalai's.
According to Obec, competition for places at Suankularb is highest this year with the ratio of successful candidates and applicants at 240:1,166.