THAILAND

Authorities investigate World Peace 'University'
Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation, or DSI, has initiated a probe into World Peace University, which appears to have granted honorary degrees in exchange for money, a practice the ‘university’ insists is ethical and legal, reports the Bangkok Post.The DSI said it received a complaint that the operation of World Peace cheats the public, with awards of degrees without normal university merit. The DSI chief, Tarit Pengdith, said last Wednesday that initial investigations indicate that the firm doing business as World Peace University had not received authorisation to operate as a university under Section 10 of the Private Higher Education Institute Act.
World Peace allegedly invites people who have done good deeds to society to receive honorary bachelor, masters and doctorate degrees. The only requirement is minimum payment of between 15,000 baht (US$482) and 350,000 baht, entitling the recipient to use the World Peace degree publicity.
Full report on the Bangkok Post site