The Election Commission (EC) has been tasked with delving into the qualifications of the candidate who clinched the most votes in the recent Senate election. Sonthiya Sawatdee, a former advisor to the House committee on law, justice, and human rights, submitted a formal petition last Friday, urging the EC to scrutinize the eligibility of Senator Keskamol Pleansamai for her senatorial position.
According to Sonthiya, he acquired a document used by Senator Keskamol to promote her academic credentials before the election. The document, he alleges, may contain falsified educational qualifications. He thus called on the EC to assess whether Keskamol meets the criteria delineated by the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC) and whether she provided false information to government officials. Sonthiya referenced the organic law on Senate elections, emphasizing that it is illegal for candidates to present misleading educational evidence to other candidates.
In her defense, Dr. Keskamol firmly stood by the authenticity of her academic achievements. “I earned my degrees, I did not buy them. The universities where I graduated from are legitimate institutions,” she asserted. Dr. Keskamol stated that election officials at the provincial level had already verified her educational background.
Dr. Keskamol holds a medical science degree from Rangsit University and a Master’s degree in Organizational Management from Krirk University. She advanced her studies by obtaining a PhD in Resources Management and Development from Maejo University and another PhD in Business Administration from California University. Moreover, she received a certification from the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine.
Pradit Wannarat, President of the Higher Education Commission, highlighted that individuals with master’s or doctorate degrees intending to work at state agencies must first secure accreditation from the OCSC. The OCSC maintains a list of accredited universities. Without OCSC accreditation, individuals cannot work at government agencies, although they can still join private sector firms. Notably, Pradit clarified that California University, from which Dr. Keskamol earned her doctorate, should not be confused with the University of California. It appears that California University’s full name is the California University Foreign Credentials Evaluation (FCE) Institution, which issues certificates rather than degrees.
Suspicion surrounding Dr. Keskamol’s choice of university in the U.S. mounts further as it is the same institution where Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Capt Thamanat Prompow, attained his PhD. It was discovered that Capt Thamanat’s dissertation had been evaluated and issued by a degree-equivalency assessor.
Dr. Keskamol, who runs four beauty companies, emphasized that her decision to enter the Senate race was driven by her desire to share her insights and recommendations based on her extensive experience as a preventive medicine specialist and as an 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 fierce competition in those specialized groups, particularly from senior doctors in the public health sector.
Dr. Keskamol recounted facing similar criticisms about her educational background in the past. “Officials at the Phetchaburi Provincial Election Commission had even summoned me for an inquiry,” she shared, adding that she submitted all necessary documents to the EC, and no issues were flagged. She robustly refuted claims by netizens about her educational credentials, reaffirming that she had indeed graduated from California University in the U.S. and completed the requisite research independently.
Dr. Keskamol further elaborated that the title “professor” from foreign universities should not be directly compared to those in Thailand. Despite the controversies swirling around her qualifications, she remains steadfast in her commitment to serve and contribute based on her rich professional background.
It’s outrageous that someone would lie about their academic credentials. If Keskamol’s degrees are fake, she should be immediately disqualified and face legal repercussions.
But how do we know for sure they’re fake? Unless there is a thorough investigation, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions.
Agreed. There’s a lot of misinformation out there. Accusing someone without solid proof is dangerous and unfair.
But the evidence is damning! If California University isn’t even an accredited institution, it begs the question: why would she choose to get her degree there?
If she’s lying, it’s a big deal. But if she’s cleared, won’t this tarnish her reputation already? Social media can be a harsh judge.
I think Sonthiya is just trying to stir up trouble. It’s politics; people will do anything to take someone down.
There’s nothing wrong with questioning our leaders’ qualifications. It’s our duty as citizens to ensure they’re the real deal.
True, but questioning is different from vilifying. Let’s make sure there’s an honest investigation first.
This whole thing is probably just a witch hunt. Keskamol seems more than capable given her business success and experience.
Running beauty companies doesn’t make one qualified for a Senate position. We need proper qualifications, especially in fields like law and justice.
Everyone’s acting like this is the first time a politician’s credentials were questioned. Happens all the time and nothing ever gets done.
That’s the problem though! It should be taken seriously, not brushed under the rug.
Yeah, but who’s going to enforce it? The system is rigged.
Why is it only women facing such scrutiny? It seems like a way to discredit successful female leaders.
A fair point, but it’s important to remember integrity is key for any leader, male or female.
It’s sad but true. Women in power often face harsher criticism, regardless of their achievements.
I can’t believe she claims to have two PhDs and runs multiple companies. That sounds too good to be true.
It’s rare but not impossible. We should judge her on her actions as a senator, not just her credentials.
Agreed. If she can multitask and still perform well in her role, more power to her.
It seems like every other month there’s some politician caught lying. When will the public hold them accountable?
Accountability starts with us. If we remain vigilant and demand transparency, change will come.
This whole debate about accreditation seems to miss the point. What really matters is Keskamol’s track record and her contributions to society.
True, but the laws are clear: candidates must meet certain educational criteria. If she didn’t, it’s a serious issue.
I get that, but sometimes real-world experience can be more valuable than a diploma.
Can’t believe people are defending her. If she lied, she’s just another corrupt politician.