Senate Degree Scandal Exposes Thai Society’s Academic Title Obsession

[webfact]

 

A recent scandal involving senatorial candidate Keskamol Pleansamai has shone a spotlight on the thriving market for fake academic degrees in Thailand, revealing the country's deep-rooted obsession with academic titles.

 

Keskamol was found to have falsely claimed a doctoral degree and professorship, sparking an outcry and prompting an investigation into her qualifications. This case has brought renewed attention to a longstanding issue in Thai society: the ease with which individuals can purchase fake degrees to bolster their credibility and professional standing.

 

The market for fake degrees is sophisticated. Numerous online services offer degrees from overseas institutions, complete with transcripts and graduation gowns. For an extra fee, buyers can even attend sham graduation ceremonies held in rented halls to add an air of legitimacy to their degrees.

 

Assistant Professor Dr Singh Singhkhajorn, from Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University, notes that "about 20 years ago, having a US degree was practically a guarantee of landing a job at a leading company. While many Thais rushed to study in the US, others used loopholes to procure degrees without really studying anything."

 

Today, however, verifying a degree’s authenticity remains challenging despite advancements in information technology. Fake degrees have evolved from crude forgeries to more elaborate scams, where institutions issue seemingly legitimate credentials in return for a fee.

 

In 2019, current agriculture minister Thamanat Prompow was also accused of possessing a fake doctoral degree. Though he survived the controversy, the incident underscored the pervasive nature of fake academic qualifications in Thai politics and business.

 

Observers argue that Thailand's undue emphasis on academic titles drives this demand for fake credentials. Many professionals and public figures buy degrees to gain social respect and professional standing.

 

“Actually, they may already have knowledge in their field, but many prominent figures want to look good so badly that they will pay for a degree,” explains Associate Professor Dr Weerachai Phutdhawong of the Coordinating Centre for Public Higher Education Staff.

 

As the investigation into Keskamol's case unfolds, she risks disqualification, a potential prison term, and a long-term electoral ban if found guilty of misleading voters. This scandal could mark a turning point in how Thai society views and verifies academic achievements.

 

Keskamol Pleansamai. Picture  courtesy: Thai Rath

 

-- 2024-07-20

 

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[ChrisY1]

And now....she's a Senator and has has already been reported, she's not going anywhere:)) It's hilarious that these people can even get into high positions....but a Senator...?

Thammanat of course, a convicted and jailed criminal, is having a blast being in government....and no doubt this lady will also. Will she actually attend the Senate?

[2baht]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

A recent scandal involving senatorial candidate Keskamol Pleansamai has shone a spotlight on the thriving market for fake academic degrees in Thailand, revealing the country's deep-rooted obsession with academic titles.

The rest of the world calls it cheating!!!

[Tropicalevo]

58 minutes ago, ChrisY1 said:

And now....she's a Senator and has has already been reported, she's not going anywhere:)) It's hilarious that these people can even get into high positions....but a Senator...?

Thammanat of course, a convicted and jailed criminal, is having a blast being in government....and no doubt this lady will also. Will she actually attend the Senate?

Thammanat has a degree from the same university.

 

From Wikipedia via PBS News.

 

Quote

Even if Deputy Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompao’s doctorate degree from a university in California is fake, it does not disqualify him from being a cabinet minister, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngarm said today

 

[BangkokReady]

57 minutes ago, 2baht said:

The rest of the world calls it cheating!!!

 

In this part of the world, it's called being smart.

[Emdog]

It would take about 15 minutes to find if credentials are legit or not, and that includes time for coffee.

Also not uncommon for rich and powerful just to hire someone to do all the course work for sponsor

[brianthainess]

The PM clown could use some of her Makeup.

 

[brianthainess]

Even if it was legit a 'degree' in Business Admin really maybe can do some filing at Gov. House. Or what was the other one a Skin specialist ? handy for the reptiles there too. 

[TheFishman1]

In Thailand, you can pay a teacher to write your masters degree paper you can pay your way to school without ever probably having to do anything other than just pay TIT

[Peabody]

I worked at an international school in BKK where they changed the policy to one in which students CAN fail, but then they had mandatory summer school, attendance not required, and a guaranteed pass... for a significant summertime "tuition".

[mfd101]

Just another manifestation of the Thai obsession with status.

[Woof999]

When hiring, I always used to drill down into a couple of specific points about a candidates' higher education. Something along the lines of:

 

Why did you choose your thesis / dissertation subject?

How did you....

What did .... involve?

 

Just stick to one or two points and drill down on them based on the answers to the previous questions. You don't need to know anything about the subject, but it will become apparent very quickly if the candidate does.

 

If they don't, either the qualification is BS, or they didn't learn anything and so the qualification is still BS. Even asking about nighlife on campus, the best Chinese restaurant near the university or the name of the Dean's dog can very quickly tell you if they are legit or not.

 

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

A recent scandal involving senatorial candidate Keskamol Pleansamai has shone a spotlight on the thriving market for fake academic degrees in Thailand, revealing the country's deep-rooted obsession with academic titles

It's all about status, not substance.

Thailand is all about fake after-all

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

 

In this part of the world, it's called being smart.

If you want to get ahead get a degree.... in Thailand that's easy

You can go the Rajhabht no fail way... but have to attend University.

Or just go buy one from the many sources.

[marin]

36 minutes ago, Peabody said:

I worked at an international school in BKK where they changed the policy to one in which students CAN fail, but then they had mandatory summer school, attendance not required, and a guaranteed pass... for a significant summertime "tuition".

You were at a middle to low tier international school if you experienced that. 

[Snackbar]

26 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

If you want to get ahead get a degree.... in Thailand that's easy

You can go the Rajhabht no fail way... but have to attend University.

Or just go buy one from the many sources.

Interesting take, factually that Uni has a 50% fail rate 

[hotchilli]

33 minutes ago, Snackbar said:

Interesting take, factually that Uni has a 50% fail rate 

Depends on the degree/subject.

[trainman34014]

I have Thai people living around me with truck loads of 'Degree's' according to them but the majority of them and a lot of other Thai's i meet are actually well behind others in this part of The World.     

 

General Knowledge...Zero,  Common Sense....Zero,  Accountability....Zero,  Responsibility....Zero, very few seems to be aware of what's happening around them and just seem to live in their own Little World where they are Legends in their own minds !

[Peabody]

2 hours ago, marin said:

You were at a middle to low tier international school if you experienced that. 

No, it was "one of the top schools" (at least, according to their literature).  /s

[thesetat2013]

11 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

And now....she's a Senator and has has already been reported, she's not going anywhere:)) It's hilarious that these people can even get into high positions....but a Senator...?

Thammanat of course, a convicted and jailed criminal, is having a blast being in government....and no doubt this lady will also. Will she actually attend the Senate?

Am surprised they do not add the minister of agriculture. In Thai news they are saying he has the same degree from the same place. California University FCE which is not a real school. I would guess that if they make a case and press charges against this Senator then they also must go after the Minister of Agriculture as well. Since I do not see that happening to the Minister, then I also do not see anything happening to this Senator other than being dismissed. 

[connda]

Doesn't expose anything.  All Thais are addicted to Status. 

[OneMoreFarang]

Ok, she is already a little older, but I like the schoolgirl look.

 

[roo860]

Looks like something from Madam Tussauds.

[gamb00ler]

Her picture looks like it is AS* generated!

 

* artificial stupidity

[NorthernRyland]

This is rich because academic title seeking is associated with low IQ. Really makes you think.

[Andycoops]

Just another layer of veneer on Thai society in general trying to cover up the rotten wood underneath.