‘Tea money’ row at Government House
Former Pheu Thai Party MP Jirayu Huangsap and the president of the Parents and Teachers Association at Nawamintrachinuthit Satriwittaya 2 School submitted a petition for Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday about the school’s director.
They asked the premier to order an investigation into allegations that Banleuchai Phiewsan sought illegal payments of “tea money” and mismanaged the school’s budget.
But they were confronted at Government House’s public service centre by another group from the school who insisted there had been no wrongdoing.
Jirayu claimed the PTA president and several parents had complained that tea-money payments of Bt20,000-Bt50,000 had been made and that the school budget was used for personal matters. Jirayu planned to deliver his petition to National Legislative Assembly president Pornphetch Wichitcholchai and Education Minister Gen Surachet Chaiwong.
While he was submitting the papers, a group of PTA members led by Wisut Wittapiradee protested, shouting that no tea money had been collected. Fearing a violent clash, officials escorted Wisut outside.
Wisut told reporters the school had established a committee to oversee student enrolment and no tea money was solicited or paid, although parents donated money for teaching materials.
He said the PTA president was acting without the association’s authorisation and the petition might be politically motivated.
