‘Tea money’ row brought to Govt House
FORMER PHEU THAI Party MP Jirayu Huangsap and the president of the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) at Nawamintrachinuthit Satriwittaya 2 School submitted a petition to Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday complaining about the school’s director.
They asked the premier to order an investigation into allegations that Banleuchai Phiewsan had 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, who reportedly had a personal relationship with people involved in the school, claimed the PTA president and several parents had complained that tea-money payments of Bt20,000 to Bt50,000 had been made and that the school budget had been used for personal matters.
Jirayu said he planned to deliver his petition to National Legislative Assembly president Pornphetch Wichitcholchai and Education Minister General Surachet Chaiwong.
However, 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 but tea money had not been 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.
