Cabinet approves bill to prevent conflict of interest

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet Tuesday approved a bill aimed at preventing conflict of interest and abusing of power among politicians, appointed state officials and their associates, Prime Minister's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan said.

It provides a maximum punishment of 15 years in jail for those convicted of conflict of interest, allegedly widespread during the administration of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The proposed legislation will forbid politicians or government officials along with their spouses, relatives or dependants from bidding for state projects.

According to Mr Thirapat, the bill defines five types of conflicts of interest.

These include offences relating to articles 100, 101 and 103 of the National Counter Corruption Commission Act (1999), as using inside information and state assets to gain personal benefit and do favours for cronies, the creation of state-run projects aimed at benefiting a particular person or

group, and abuse of authority by putting pressure on state officials and politicians to do favours for a particular person or group.

The bill provides that an offender, if not a politician, be punished by 1-10 years in jail and a fine of 40,000-400,000 baht. A politician would be liable to 2-15 years in jail and a fine of 80,000-600,000 baht.

Thirapat said the bill would be sent to the Council of State for scrutiny before going to the National Legislative Assembly for deliberation.

--TNA 2007-01-17

Cabinet approves bill to prevent conflict of interest

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet Tuesday approved a bill aimed at preventing conflict of interest and abusing of power among politicians, appointed state officials and their associates, Prime Minister's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan said.

It provides a maximum punishment of 15 years in jail for those convicted of conflict of interest, allegedly widespread during the administration of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The proposed legislation will forbid politicians or government officials along with their spouses, relatives or dependants from bidding for state projects.

According to Mr Thirapat, the bill defines five types of conflicts of interest.

These include offences relating to articles 100, 101 and 103 of the National Counter Corruption Commission Act (1999), as using inside information and state assets to gain personal benefit and do favours for cronies, the creation of state-run projects aimed at benefiting a particular person or

group, and abuse of authority by putting pressure on state officials and politicians to do favours for a particular person or group.

The bill provides that an offender, if not a politician, be punished by 1-10 years in jail and a fine of 40,000-400,000 baht. A politician would be liable to 2-15 years in jail and a fine of 80,000-600,000 baht.

Thirapat said the bill would be sent to the Council of State for scrutiny before going to the National Legislative Assembly for deliberation.

--TNA 2007-01-17

Another nice bill that will make Thailand better (I hope.)

But what if your only interest is self-interest?

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet Tuesday approved a bill aimed at preventing conflict of interest and abusing of power among politicians, appointed state officials and their associates, Prime Minister's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan said.

They could pass any bill. Laws in Thailand are enforced selectively. So they are useless for anything but revenge and corruption (tea money, bribery whatever)