The Education Ministry yesterday launched an inquiry into a teacher in Khon Kaen accused of being involved in corruption over two government payment schemes.
The Education Service Area Office 5 in Khon Kaen set up a disciplinary committee to probe alleged embezzlement by Phuphaphum Mori, a senior teacher in Nong Rua district, concerning the government's "Kon La Krueng" co-payment scheme and the latest tourism stimulus campaign known as "Rao Tiew Duay Kan" (We Travel Together).
If found guilty, the teacher would be fired and barred from being a civil servant, said Area Office 5 Director Yongyut Promkaew.
The inquiry was launched after 38 villagers from Ban Fang district's Ban Non Kho village complained that a female teacher, identified only as Khru Fon, had offered them 200 baht each to claim handouts in the We Travel Together tourism stimulus package.
When the villagers tried to register for benefits under the "Rao Chana" (We Win) scheme -- another welfare initiative -- they found out their identities had already been used to register them for the Kon La Krueng co-payment subsidy scheme.
Initial inquiries suggested Mr Phuphaphum had colluded with Ms Fon, who surrendered to police on Friday and was charged with identity theft before being released.
Mr Phuphaphum would likely be suspended while the investigation was carried out, said the director. Police also said they would summon Ms Fon to return for further questioning.
Deputy Commander of the Crime Suppression Division Pol Col Anake Taosuphap said 1,400 police stations nationwide would summon 9,000 people allegedly involved in defrauding the We Travel Together scheme.