Six academics from three Thai universities have been sacked and eight others are being investigated for research paper fraud, according to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI).

An investigation into allegations of phoney research papers involving 109 academics from 33 universities stemmed from a report in August last year saying that a Chiang Mai University (CMU) lecturer had purchased his paper for 30,000 baht. The investigation found five websites offering the service to buyers. 14 lecturers, including a former high-ranking executive of Thaksin University, were involved in committing fraud. 

The committee, chaired by Mr Supachai, has demanded the universities submit evidence within 15 days. The investigation is expected to be concluded next month, she said. The ministry will enforce strict measures to determine the criteria, methods and periods of disclosure and submission of higher education data to prevent such acts from happening again, she added. Universities are required to submit the educational data of their graduates to the ministry to be verified, she said.

Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2831668/universities-fire-academics-over-research-paper-fraud