EDITORIAL: Lowlifes in lofty places

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Lowlifes in lofty places

By The Nation

 

Systemic corruption has been uncovered in state agencies whose job it is to care for needy citizens. Could it be any worse?
 

The investigation into suspected irregularities at state-run centres established to help the destitute has revealed more and more cases of funding misappropriation.

 

An ongoing investigation by the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission has detected possible irregularities in at least 44 of Thailand’s 77 provinces.

 

Funds have allegedly been misappropriated that were allocated to those centres as welfare payments for low-income families, the homeless and people living with HIV.

 

There are 76 such centres around the country, operating under the Department of Social Development and Welfare, which is part of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. Together they received Bt123 million in welfare money for fiscal 2017 to be distributed to people in need. It remains unclear how much of this was embezzled.

 

This large-scale corruption evidently involved generations of officials, beginning when the agency was still known as the Department of Public Welfare under the Interior Ministry. A retired official familiar with the matter has said corrupt seniors involved in the network sent “trusted people” from Bangkok to the centres to collect their bosses’ share of the cash.

 

Had a university student-intern at one agency in the Northeast not exposed the scam, the officials involved could have kept it going indefinitely. The student claimed she was ordered to falsify the signatures and personal information of would-be aid recipients in agency documents.

 

The cheating appears to have been systemic, with many officials involved, both senior and junior, and that the perpetrators had no fear of being caught. Given the fact that the crime spread across the country, at least some senior officials at the Ministry of Social Development must have known about it. This investigation has a long way to go yet.

 

Thai bureaucrats certainly are no strangers to corruption, but this massive welfare fraud takes the practice to an appalling new height. These officials were shamelessly stealing from the poor. They did not merely skim off the top portion of the available funds. They claimed grant money on behalf of eligible citizens, giving some of them a small share and others nothing at all (since the aid was requested without their knowledge anyway).

 

It is further alarming that photocopies of citizen ID cards were used without their consent in applying for welfare payments. This is of course common procedure among professional criminals, but here we have state officials flagrantly doing the same thing – authority figures who are entrusted to handle such official documents with care and respect for the law. With ready access to the state’s database on citizens’ private information, these corrupt officials were in a position to manipulate the data for personal gain.

 

It should be an honour to be appointed to the civil service. It should be an honour to have your abilities and virtues recognised to such an extent that the government is prepared to place the full trust of the public in your hands.

 

Anyone involved in this awful enterprise has sacrificed all honour and ceded the right to be trusted. They are utterly without merit. Rather than serving citizens, they cheated the citizens most in need of help. Once convicted, they must be punished severely.

 

They should be thrown out of government service and face criminal prosecution. And the bureaucracy, particularly the ministry, must urgently improve its audit systems to prevent any such corruption happening again on such a woeful scale.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30340943

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-03-15

[Samui Bodoh]

19 minutes ago, webfact said:

Systemic corruption has been uncovered in state agencies whose job it is to care for needy citizens. Could it be any worse?

Yes, it could be worse.

 

It could be worse if there is the usual cover-up.

 

It could be worse if high-level people, up to and including the Minister, do not take responsibility.

 

It could be worse if these criminals avoid going to jail.

 

And, it could be worse if the Thai people react with the usual apathy and allow things to continue without any changes or outcry. This is a shocking and stunning example of the systemic corruption in Thai governments and in Thai society. If this example isn't enough to drive some changes, what would be? Funds were stolen by the government. Funds which were allocated for the neediest people in Thai society; AIDS patients, the destitute elderly, the handicapped, etc. 

 

If the Thai people do not demand change after this, they will deserve whatever crap they get in the future.

 

[PatOngo]

Grubs, grubs and more grubs!

[meechai]

40 minutes ago, webfact said:

Systemic corruption has been uncovered in state agencies whose job it is to care for needy citizens. Could it be any worse?

Yes it could be worse & it is worse! Much Worse !!

 

Just look at the top tier that taught these thieves it is ok to steal from citizens.

Shown by their actions that when you have a post high enough it is like pulling up a chair at the public trough of $$$

with their many rolex watches or billions in undeclared bank accounts that far exceed their positions income.

 

It is a classic animal farm where

"all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others"

 

Is it any wonder that these lower branches now think it is also their turn?

This tree of authority is rotten from the top down in Thailand

 

When lower branches look up what do they see is deemed acceptable?

They see things like Red Bull BS, they see things like those with $$$ hunt rare species for fun

They see self proclaimed leaders have everything & they now also want their share
 

 

 

[darksidedog]

43 minutes ago, webfact said:

Had a university student-intern at one agency in the Northeast not exposed the scam, the officials involved could have kept it going indefinitely. The student claimed she was ordered to falsify the signatures and personal information of would-be aid recipients in agency documents.

One honest person hopefully will bring the downfall of hundreds if not more of people  who should be classified as dogs or lice, for such appalling and shameless activity. These scum need to be identified, prosecuted, and where found guilty stripped of every asset they have, with such assets being reinstated to the fund for the destitute they stole from.

Prison? Life sentence at minimum.Name them, Shame them! Pensions? Strip them. Leave them destitute, so if they ever get out of jail, leave them at the mercy of the system they systematically robbed. 

[meechai]

Just now, darksidedog said:

One honest person hopefully will bring the downfall of hundreds if not more of people  who should be classified as dogs or lice, for such appalling and shameless activity. These scum need to be identified, prosecuted, and where found guilty stripped of every asset they have, with such assets being reinstated to the fund for the destitute they stole from.

Prison? Life sentence at minimum.Name them, Shame them! Pensions? Strip them. Leave them destitute, so if they ever get out of jail, leave them at the mercy of the system they systematically robbed. 

 

Yes & as I always expected it will have to come from the younger generations

They seem to be the only ones these days complaining & protesting these injustices

 

[Lungstib]

All the way to the top, all departments, uniforms in all colours.

[YetAnother]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Could it be any worse?

always can be worse, no matter how long you live here, can be worse

[Darcula]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Systemic corruption has been uncovered in state agencies whose job it is to care for needy citizens. Could it be any worse?

 

Yes, they might actually start selling those job positions. No wait!

 

[colinneil]

The problem starts at the top.

A senior job is up for grabs, does the person most suited/ qualified get the job?

No the person who hands over the biggest envelope gets it, then after getting the job they have to claw back what they paid, so it is a never ending cycle.

[mok199]

thai spirit and loyalty and the old school attitude (don't get involved) has allowed this to grow,i am sure many suspected for years ,..thais need to speak out ..this ''whisper hush hush'' .. allows these'' trusted predetors ''..to thrive. I am trying to educate my family that we must speak up when we see injustice,even it is someone parked on a zebra crossing..say something. ,but it is years of brainwashing make it  almost impossible, as I always just appear to be a western loud mouth complainer...but I am relentless and mabey I cant change my wife..but no way in hell will my son live in fear ...know the real enemy and fight for what you believe in...sawadee'' no crap''

[doremifasol]

7 minutes ago, colinneil said:

The problem starts at the top.

A senior job is up for grabs, does the person most suited/ qualified get the job?

No the person who hands over the biggest envelope gets it, then after getting the job they have to claw back what they paid, so it is a never ending cycle.

Exactly as it is.

[anon537687643]

Failed state


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[rkidlad]

I love when foreigners come here and fall in love this ‘mai pen rai’ culture. Telling you how wonderful it is that people just smile and get on with it. People here are content with very little and don’t bitch and moan like we do back home. Well, this is what you get when you say nothing. You get <deleted> over. And by the way, Thai people are no different to anyone else, they want nice things and security too. Many just don’t know it’s possible. 

 

Funny how these foreigners praise this simple lifestyle but don’t adopt it for themselves. Guess life is better when you have security and nice things. 

[mtls2005]

Amazing that the senior leadership of the Junta seems to be ignoring this massive, systemic corruption issue - ok, not the only program being looted on their watch.

 

Good thing they granted themselves pre-emptive amnesty.

 

 

[Cadbury]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Lowlifes in lofty places

Truer words never spoken about Thailand. And the loftier the place the lower the life it seems. Military included.

[Denim]

How many of these corrupt government civil servants will actually be punished for their crimes?

We have seen it all before. A few slapped wrists and a lot of seat shuffling reminiscent of musical chairs where only one person gets sacked.

 

I remember when many MP's in the UK were caught fiddling their expenses. A few were punished but most were allowed to return the cash and carry on.

 

When those doing the investigating have too much empathy for the guilty ,  justice has to take the back seat.

[Pib]

This is not news to the everyday Thai as they know corruption is still (and has been during their lifetime) rampant in the government...both local and federal level.   It's just the nature of things in Thailand...it's just expected....assumed.   As Donald Trump would correctly say in this case:  Sad.

 

[scorecard]

3 hours ago, meechai said:

Yes it could be worse & it is worse! Much Worse !!

 

Just look at the top tier that taught these thieves it is ok to steal from citizens.

Shown by their actions that when you have a post high enough it is like pulling up a chair at the public trough of $$$

with their many rolex watches or billions in undeclared bank accounts that far exceed their positions income.

 

It is a classic animal farm where

"all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others"

 

Is it any wonder that these lower branches now think it is also their turn?

This tree of authority is rotten from the top down in Thailand

 

When lower branches look up what do they see is deemed acceptable?

They see things like Red Bull BS, they see things like those with $$$ hunt rare species for fun

They see self proclaimed leaders have everything & they now also want their share
 

 

 

 

"...This tree of authority is rotten from the top down in Thailand..."

 

Unfortunately it's also from the bottom up.

 

SImple example; the local villagers analysis of their village chief: 'yes he's corrupt but it's OK because his wife now has a BMW.'

 

 

[Eligius]

4 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

 

 

If the Thai people do not demand change after this, they will deserve whatever crap they get in the future.

 

How many times have I thought this (that the Thais deserve what they get) when, week after week, month after month, year after year, the junta kick the Thais in the face and insult and oppress them with their dinosaur directives (we cannot use the real word here).

The Thais largely go on taking it all. And yet - I do feel desperately sorry for them - even though much of their oppression is self-invited.

There is so much more I would love to say here - but (as you will understand) cannot. That enforced silence alone says a great deal about the nature of Thailand ...

 

 

 

[jollyhangmon]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Systemic corruption has been uncovered in state agencies whose job it is to care for needy citizens. Could it be any worse?

 

 

[meechai]

21 minutes ago, Eligius said:

How many times have I thought this when, week after week, month after month, year after year, the junta kick the Thais in the face and insult and oppress them with their dinosaur directives (we cannot use the real word here).

The Thais largely go on taking it all. And yet - I do feel desperately sorry for them - even though much of their oppression is self-invited.

There is so much more I would love to say here - but (as you will understand) cannot. That enforced silence alone says a great deal about the nature of Thailand ...

 

 

 

 

This is why the revolt has to come from the young

 

It is a sad fact that the middle age & older Thai's have been so conditioned

since young to never question authority they will as you say "go on taking it"

Thailand needs a hero to show the way

[madmitch]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

It is further alarming that photocopies of citizen ID cards were used without their consent in applying for welfare payments. This is of course common procedure among professional criminals, but here we have state officials flagrantly doing the same thing

I would say that a large number of state officials are professional criminals

[mok199]

it will interesting to see them sing like canaries ,ratting out family members and friends to save their own hides...but then again...it may just blow over like everything else in ''the land of deniles ''..

[Lupatria]

The fish stinks from the head.

[tigermoth]

4 hours ago, darksidedog said:

One honest person hopefully will bring the downfall of hundreds if not more of people  who should be classified as dogs or lice, for such appalling and shameless activity. These scum need to be identified, prosecuted, and where found guilty stripped of every asset they have, with such assets being reinstated to the fund for the destitute they stole from.

Prison? Life sentence at minimum.Name them, Shame them! Pensions? Strip them. Leave them destitute, so if they ever get out of jail, leave them at the mercy of the system they systematically robbed. 

The problem will be that this is probably the tip of the iceberg and those who are responsible for prosecuting and jailing these scum are more than likely mixed up in some form of corruption as will not want to split this open for fear of their own lives. The government in its corrupt role is gradually creating a climate of serious concern among the thais and will soon erupt into something that no one wants to happen, move over Syria.

[tigermoth]

Just now, tigermoth said:

The problem will be that this is probably the tip of the iceberg and those who are responsible for prosecuting and jailing these scum are more than likely mixed up in some form of corruption as will not want to split this open for fear of their own lives. The government in its corrupt role is gradually creating a climate of serious concern among the thais and will soon erupt into something that no one wants to happen, move over Syria.

To add to my above comment. There will always be low level corruption here, obtaining various forms of licenses, visas, permits, traffic fines etc., this is not uncommon in western countries, but it is totally unacceptable when the government scams its own citizens.

[Golden Triangle]

I am beginning to believe that at last ' The worm has turned '. The current crop of students have access to so much information these days via their phones, tablets, television, radio and printed matter, they have also begun to travel extensively and have experience of real democracies outside of the previously shuttered borders of Thailand where the Kingdom was the epicenter of the world / universe.

 

I may be being somewhat simplistic or maybe even naive in my observations, but I truly believe that the coming generations of educated young Thais are the only hope for this country and it will be through them that things like corruption and inequality will eventually be eradicated (maybe not entirely) but you catch my drift. 

[Anak Nakal]

what is the different between government and mafia?

[Eric Loh]

Nothing less than a bureaucratic or civil servant reform or restructuring is urgently required. Studies have shown that bureaucratic corruption thrive when there are period of loose management due to unrest, truncated elected government and coups. Reform is long term effort and coups are disruptive to meaningful reform. Thailand need a period of elected government to implement bureaucratic structural reform.