A recent controversy has arisen at a university in Chon Buri, Thailand, where a graduate named Miriam claims she and over 10 other students have not received their graduation certificates due to a tuition fee scam. Miriam, a 25-year-old half-Thai, half-African graduate, alleges that a senior university administrator embezzled their tuition fees, leaving her and others without official documentation two years after completing their studies.

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Miriam enrolled in 2021 and graduated in 2024, transferring her fees to a personal account of the university’s vice chancellor, who also acted as a finance officer. Although she received receipts, she later discovered she was incorrectly listed as owing 22,000 baht for her final semester. An investigation revealed that the vice chancellor allegedly swindled funds from her and other students, resulting in the university’s request for them to file individual complaints with the police.

The university insists that affected students must pay 22,000 baht upfront for their certificates, with reimbursement contingent on the suspect returning the stolen funds to the institution. Miriam argues that this approach is unfair, as it shifts the financial burden onto the students and hampers her ability to further her education or secure employment without the necessary certificate.

In response, a university representative stated that legal action against the former vice chancellor is underway and reassured that the university is committed to issuing the students’ certificates. The delay in certificate issuance is attributed to a management transition following the scandal. The new administrative team has asked affected students to reach out and report the incident to the authorities, reported The Thaiger.

Key Takeaways

• A university in Thailand is accused of withholding certificates due to a tuition scam.

• Miriam and other students must pay upfront for their certificates, with reimbursement dependent on legal outcomes.

• The university is taking legal action and attributes delays to recent management changes.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 20 Feb 2026

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2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

with reimbursement contingent on the suspect returning the stolen funds to the institution.

now this is wrong. Shame, shame shame on the uni

Racism or tuition fraud? Either way, the university should lose its accreditation from the Ministry of Education. Why has no Thai brought this to court when 112 cases are regularly charged???

On 2/20/2026 at 4:44 PM, snoop1130 said:

The delay in certificate issuance is attributed to a management transition following the scandal.

Covering their arses more like. Just give the students the diplomas they have earned via the tuition fees they've already paid. The university, as employers of an alleged thief, should be the ones waiting for legal due process to get reimbursed.