CHON BURI, THAILAND – A 25-year-old Thai-African graduate accused a university in Nong Prue district of withholding her degree certificate despite completing her studies, after tuition fees were allegedly embezzled via a private account.
Graduate files police complaint over withheld degree
The half-Thai, half-African graduate, identified as Miriam, said she filed a complaint at the Nong Prue police station and described the university’s treatment as unfair. She reported that for two years she and more than ten other students had been waiting for their official graduation documents from the institution in Nong Prue district, Chon Buri province.
Tuition paid into vice chancellor’s personal account
Miriam stated that she enrolled at the university in 2021 and finished her studies in 2024, during which time all tuition fees were transferred. According to her, she and other affected students paid the fees into a personal bank account belonging to the vice chancellor, who also served as the person responsible for finances.
Dispute over arrears and alleged fake receipt
The graduate said she received receipts for every transfer and therefore assumed the payments had been properly recorded. She later learned she was listed as being in arrears for her final semester with 22,000 baht, which was blocking the issuance of her degree certificate.
University tells students to pay again for certificates
Miriam said she showed the university a receipt to prove she had already paid the allegedly outstanding amount, but was told the document was fake. She said an internal investigation concluded that the vice chancellor had embezzled money from her and more than ten other students.
According to Miriam, the university informed those affected that each student had to file a separate police report and pursue the case individually under criminal law. She added that the institution told students they would only receive their certificates if they first repaid the 22,000 baht, and would be compensated later once the suspect returned the money to the university.
Impact on further study and career prospects
Miriam described this approach as unjust, arguing that the institution should take responsibility and coordinate the follow-up instead of shifting the burden onto students.
“This procedure is unfair, and the university must take responsibility and organise the follow-up of the case instead of placing the burden on the students,”
said Miriam, graduate. She said the missing graduation document was preventing her from enrolling in further studies or finding a job.
University cites management change and legal steps
Television channel Channel 7 reported that a university representative said the institution was taking legal action against the suspect and was ready to assume responsibility for issuing the certificates. The university attributed the delays in graduation documents to a change in management after the alleged corruption came to light, saying the new team had only recently taken up its duties.
Call for students to come forward
According to the report, university leaders urged affected students to contact the relevant staff to obtain their degree certificates. At the same time, the institution pressed students to report the case to the police, so that the criminal proceedings could move forward.