The Election Commission (EC) has been prompted to scrutinize the qualifications of the top vote-getter in the latest Senate election. On Friday, Sonthiya Sawatdee, a previous advisor to the House committee on law, justice, and human rights, submitted a petition urging the EC to probe into the eligibility of Senator Keskamol Pleansamai. According to Sonthiya, he had acquired a document used by the senator to showcase her credentials before the election, suggesting that her educational background might have been fabricated.
Mr. Sonthiya’s concerns revolve around whether Dr. Keskamol satisfies the criteria established by the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC) and whether she provided false information to government authorities. He referenced the organic law on the Senate election, which deems it unlawful for candidates to present misleading educational evidence to other candidates.
Dr. Keskamol, appearing confident, steadfastly defended the validity of her academic accomplishments. “I earned my degrees; I didn’t purchase them. The universities I graduated from are legitimate institutions,” she asserted. According to her, provincial election officials had already validated her educational background before the Senate election.
Dr. Keskamol’s impressive academic journey includes a medical science degree from Rangsit University, a Master of Arts in organizational management from Krirk University, a PhD in resources management and development from Maejo University, and another PhD in business administration from California University. Additionally, she holds certification from the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine.
Pradit Wannarat, the president of the Higher Education Commission, noted on Friday that individuals holding master’s degrees or doctorates who seek employment in state agencies must first secure accreditation from the OCSC. The OCSC maintains a list of accredited universities. Without OCSC accreditation, they cannot work at government agencies but can still be employed by private companies.
A source disclosed that California University, where Dr. Keskamol obtained her doctorate, is not equivalent to the University of California. Investigation revealed its full name: the California University Foreign Credentials Evaluation (FCE) Institution, which issues certificates rather than degrees. Dr. Keskamol’s choice of institution in the US has fueled suspicion, especially as it aligns with the university where Capt. Thamanat Prompow, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, received his PhD, a dissertation that was assessed and issued by a degree-equivalency evaluator.
Despite the intrigue, Dr. Keskamol, who owns four beauty companies, participated in the Senate race to present her perspectives and recommendations, leveraging her experience as a preventive medicine specialist and advisor to the House Committee on Law, Justice, and Human Rights. When questioned about her decision to apply to the freelancer group instead of public health or women, she explained that it was a strategic move due to the intense competition, particularly from senior doctors in the public health sector. She mentioned thoroughly considering her options before submitting her application and expressed confusion about why EC auditors were being stringent on this particular point.
Dr. Keskamol also addressed similar concerns about her educational qualifications in the past, mentioning that officials at the Phetchaburi Provincial Election Commission had previously summoned her for an inquiry. She indicated that she had already provided documentation to the EC and had encountered no issues to date. She dismissed netizens’ allegations about her educational credentials, affirming her graduation from California University in the US and emphasizing that she conducted all her research independently. Furthermore, she clarified that the title of “professor” from foreign universities should not be compared directly to Thai academic titles.
I think this is just another attempt to discredit a capable woman in politics. Dr. Keskamol’s qualifications are valid, and people need to focus on her work rather than her degrees.
Are you serious? Her Californian ‘university’ sounds like a degree mill. We can’t have people with fake credentials in the government!
The university might raise questions, but it doesn’t mean she is unqualified. Look at her achievements in preventive medicine and business. That speaks volumes!
John, this isn’t about discrediting women. It’s about integrity and trust in our institutions. If leaders fake their qualifications, what message does that send?
Sarah, sometimes those ‘degree mills’ are a stepping stone for people who can’t access traditional education avenues. Her work should speak for her, not just her certificates.
Regardless of her degrees, what matters most is her performance and contribution. However, honesty about credentials is crucial for public trust.
Mike, performance is important, but credibility and integrity are non-negotiable. It’s about more than just getting the job done; it’s about how you get there.
Exactly, her background should be clear and verified. If she lied about her credentials, how can we trust her in any aspect?
Paul and AcademicAvenger, those are fair points. The election commission needs to investigate this thoroughly and transparently.
Maybe we should just let anyone with money and power run for office. Who needs real qualifications these days? /s
That’s exactly the problem. Money and influence should not substitute legitimate qualifications and experience.
Seems like qualifications have become just another formality for the elite. They’re the ones writing the rules!
This whole situation is a distraction from bigger issues. Focusing on her degrees is a waste of time. We need to look at policies and actions.
Larry, how can you say that? Her qualifications are fundamental to her competency. Policies and actions start with the right knowledge and background.
Steve, true, but we have a history of focusing on the wrong metrics. Qualifications alone don’t make a good leader. Integrity and real-world results do.
Larry, competency should include both academic and practical knowledge. Deception at any level can’t be ignored.
I think it’s suspicious that two politicians have degrees from the same dubious institution. This might be part of a bigger scam.
Exactly, Zack. It looks like a network of deception. When will people realize that bad apples spoil the whole bunch?
Or it might be a coincidence. Not everything is a conspiracy. Let’s wait for the investigation results.
Her background in aesthetic medicine seems totally unrelated to her political ambitions. Why did she even run for office?
Amanda, sometimes diverse backgrounds bring unique perspectives to politics. The problem is not her field but the credibility of her credentials.
California University FCE is a joke. How can we expect accountability if we let this slide? This sets a dangerous precedent.
Brenda, exactly. A person in power needs to be beyond reproach. Accepting fake credentials undermines the whole system.
But how much power does a senator really have? Let’s not blow this out of proportion.
People should be judged by their deeds, not their papers. If Keskamol has done good work, let’s not discard that based on where she got her degrees.
David, while your point is valid, factual representation of one’s credentials is a matter of public trust. We need to hold our officials accountable.
True, Jane. Accountability is key, but the witch hunt mentality is detrimental. We need balanced scrutiny.
Credentials in politics are often overstated. It’s their ability to problem-solve and lead that matters. Let’s not get too bogged down in academic credentials.
But aren’t credentials a reflection of one’s diligence and commitment? We shouldn’t undermine the importance of verified qualifications.
In the end, it’s not just about degrees but their relevance and authenticity. Both sides have points, and a fair investigation can shed light on the truth.
If the cert is a fake and she used this to elevate her status then this speaks volumes of her character which is far more important in policy decision-making process than any actual cert or degree.
Fake=stepping stone to corruption.
Real=nice wall decor.