The cost of corruption: Bt100 billion

[webfact]

The cost of corruption: Bt100 billion

By THE NATION

 

File photo: Sungsidh Piriyarangsan

 

Studies by respected academic point to rampant graft and irregularities in country’s bureaucracy

 

CORRUPTION in the bureaucracy will cost the country up to Bt100 billion this fiscal year, an expert on graft revealed yesterday.

 

Sungsidh Piriyarangsan said his “cautious estimate” put the damages at between Bt50 billion and Bt100 billion for 2018 alone. He based his estimate on the findings of 14 studies on corruption funded by the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC).

 

According to Sungsidh, his case study – one of the 14 – on an anti-narcotics state agency found irregularities worth Bt2 billion to Bt10 billion, involving rewards offered to officials making arrests over the past year. (The current fiscal year started on October 1, 2017 and ends on September 30.).

 

Sungsidh said transgressions were committed by state officials at various levels at agencies in Bangkok, in the provinces and also at local administrative organisations. And corruption involved both large and small government projects, with an increasing tendency to involve the smaller ones, he added.

 

“They may be small projects but the cost of damages [from corruption] is huge,” he said.

 

Sungsidh was speaking at an academic seminar presenting findings of the 14 research studies on corruption, held by the PACC at a hotel in Nonthaburi’s Pak Kret district.

 

The case studies cover different forms of corruption investigated by the PACC, according to the agency’s deputy secretary-general, Wannop Somjintanakul. The studies were aimed at rectifying weak points and preventing similar irregularities in the future, he added. 

 

Sungsidh, an Associate Professor and Dean of the College of Social Innovation at Rangsit University, is known for his research and books on corruption. Yesterday he detailed the various forms of corruption involving state officials uncovered by the case studies.

 

These included registration of fake marriages between foreigners and Thais, embezzlement of state funds intended for the needy, and short-changing from procurement processes.

 

“Corruption has increased rapidly because Thai politics is a closed system,” the academic said. “A big weakness is that we have no agency that truly scrutinises. Parliament and independent agencies exist but they can’t scrutinise politicians.

 

“The country’s history and culture enshrine the existing patronage system, in which people with connections thrive. Also, law enforcement is not effective enough although this government has issued a lot of good anti-corruption laws,” he added.

 

Sungsidh predicted an increase in corruption, and warned that in the end the country’s economy would be undermined due to unfair business competition stemming from bribes paid to corrupt officials.

 

When asked whether an elected or unelected government is more corrupt, he said his past study found that politically strong administrations tended to be more corrupt, whether they were elected or not. 

 

Meanwhile, the chairman of the PACC’s executive board, Kitti Limchaikit, said yesterday that the agency had received more than 30,000 complaints during the past 10 years of its existence. They were mainly complaints against state officials.

 

In a related development, the Counter Corruption Division (CCD) of the Royal Thai Police is investigating seven state officials suspected of aiding an oil trading company to evade excise taxes on the sale of petrol marked for export to Myanmar.

 

Three of the officials work in the Excise Department with the other four employed by the Customs Department, according to a source familiar with the case.

 

The officials were found to have signed documents certifying exports of 32,000 litres of petrol through the Mae Sot border checkpoint in Tak province. The petrol was later found to have been sold in Phitsanulok province.

 

Police Maj-General Kitti Rianracha, commissioner of the CCD, said the deal had cost the country at least Bt3 million in lost excise tax, as petrol destined for export was exempted from tax. The seven officials could be charged with malfeasance and certifying false documents if they were found to be involved, the anonymous police source said.

 

Kitti yesterday chaired a meeting with representatives from the PACC, National Anti-Corruption Commission and Anti-Money Laundering Office, at the CCD headquarters to discuss actions against petrol tax evasion.

 

A nationwide crackdown on the practice was planned for September 29.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30354747

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-09-19

[Samui Bodoh]

"...Also, law enforcement is not effective enough although this government has issued a lot of good anti-corruption laws..."

 

It is a bit shocking that a 'respected' academic would think that the issuance of laws somehow affects corruption; that is the thinking of a bureaucrat who doesn't get out much.

 

Corruption is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted, generational approach to deal with.

 

However, there is one basic step that would have immediate consequences for the fight against corruption; penalize the people who steal. Seriously. Over and over again, we read about bureaucrats and/or State employees who are caught stealing (especially from the most vulnerable!) and nothing happens to them, other than perhaps a 'transfer'' to a different position.

 

The next time a State employee, any State employee, is caught ripping off funds, splash their picture across every newspaper and website there is, put them in handcuffs and march them through the streets, and invite the public to see them getting their ass tossed in jail.

 

Until the PTB are willing to take that first step, corruption will grow and thrive.

 

 

Edited September 18, 2018 by Samui Bodoh
Lack of coffee

[zzaa09]

1 hour ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...Also, law enforcement is not effective enough although this government has issued a lot of good anti-corruption laws..."

 

It is a bit shocking that a 'respected' academic would think that the issuance of laws somehow affects corruption; that is the thinking of a bureaucrat who doesn't get out much.

 

Corruption is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted, generational approach to deal with.

 

However, there is one basic step that would have immediate consequences for the fight against corruption; penalize the people who steal. Seriously. Over and over again, we read about bureaucrats and/or State employees who are caught stealing (especially from the most vulnerable!) and nothing happens to them, other than perhaps a 'transfer'' to a different position.

 

The next time a State employee, any State employee, is caught ripping off funds, splash their picture across every newspaper and website there is, put them in handcuffs and march them through the streets, and invite the public to see them getting their ass tossed in jail.

 

Until the PTB are willing to take that first step, corruption will grow and thrive.

 

 

It will always be able to grow and thrive, as it's second nature throughout Thai systems. Almost hardwired.

Not just a contemporary revelation - but for too many decades. 

[Jeremy50]

It probably won't ever be fixed. Certainly not in a country who's population is largely made up of brainwashed, and sheep-like peasants. 

[Esso49]

I would suggest that  Bt100 billion is out by a factor of 10 at least. 

Edited September 18, 2018 by Esso49

[PatOngo]

No mention of submarines?

[mok199]

If Thailand had great education ,beautiful beaches and safe roads ,the corruption could be tolerated...but This broken Nation is far from all that.. 

[ChrisY1]

24 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

No mention of submarines?

"politically strong administrations tended to be more corrupt, whether they were elected or not."

A veiled attempt of fraud aimed at the military?.......possibly.....but I doubt K. Sungsidh actually meant it to sound that way knowing how these people think:))

[Lungstib]

Every day, in every govt office in every province, someone is trying to improve their personal wealth by using their govt position. As the money gets passed down from the top a little more gets extracted until whats left doesn't build a proper road nor a safe dam. Everyone makes that 'extra payment' to get things done and its been made the norm. Its considered 'the way it is' and unchangeable. How anyone ever put a number to it I cant imagine. 

[jumbo]

Europe 120 billion euro's... so Thailand is not that far off

[neeray]

57 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

No mention of submarines?

No mention of "borrowed watches" either.

[dinsdale]

The word under-estimate immidiately popped into my head.?

[Ossy]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

CORRUPTION in the bureaucracy will cost the country up to Bt100 billion this fiscal year, an expert on graft revealed yesterday.

And what did Prayuth brag about, when he shot his way into Government House and onto the TV screens? He said that the NCPO would ‘fight corruption and enact political reforms'. What a bloody joker.

[Cadbury]

"PM says Thailand will be corruption-free in 20 years"

Those words were spoken in September 2016 so only 18 years to go.

Fine words but as usual no action plan to match the words. Corruption is so deeply rooted from the top down that nothing can fix it. 

 

 

[Artisi]

Fake news.

Corruption in Thailand, no way, not ever, couldn't be possible, not while every person in Thailand is striving to better the country at great sacrifice to themselves and families. This of course is along with the necessary checks and balances overseen by the rule of law fairly applied to all by a just and fair government whose only interest in the betterment of the country and its people. 

Therefore it must be fake news. 

[Borzandy]

100 billion, I don't believe: 12 plus 8 equals 4

[inThailand]

100 Billion of government corruption. 

 

Bank of Thailand says there are 3.636 million government employees. See below. That's a mere 27,502 Thb a year of envelope money per employee. Isn't at least another zero missing?

 

http://www2.bot.or.th/statistics/BOTWEBSTAT.aspx?reportID=627&language=ENG

 

 

[Curmudgeon1]

4 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...Also, law enforcement is not effective enough although this government has issued a lot of good anti-corruption laws..."

 

It is a bit shocking that a 'respected' academic would think that the issuance of laws somehow affects corruption; that is the thinking of a bureaucrat who doesn't get out much.

 

Corruption is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted, generational approach to deal with.

 

However, there is one basic step that would have immediate consequences for the fight against corruption; penalize the people who steal. Seriously. Over and over again, we read about bureaucrats and/or State employees who are caught stealing (especially from the most vulnerable!) and nothing happens to them, other than perhaps a 'transfer'' to a different position.

 

The next time a State employee, any State employee, is caught ripping off funds, splash their picture across every newspaper and website there is, put them in handcuffs and march them through the streets, and invite the public to see them getting their ass tossed in jail.

 

Until the PTB are willing to take that first step, corruption will grow and thrive.

 

 

 

Corruption in thailand is systemic. To appreciate any solution you must understand the concept of systemic. The approach to deal with it cannot be impulsive. It would freeze the bureaucracy,  policing, against the military (also corrupt). The results would be disastrous and send Thailand back decades, but not until after a civil war (red v yellow). Prayut has kept the peace by gently trying to set up the frame work to deal with a problem that will take many generations to fix, if possible at all. 

     Imo. Every country has some corruption, but law and order at the street level has to be the beginning of the turn around. The government must control the masses from hurting themselves. 

   How do you enforce a change in a system without the system collapsing?

     IMO. Prayut, in a short term military government continued and expanded the practice of transferring the offender, while he(his government) tried to implement legislation with a new constitution to deal with corruption legally. The next step is how to impose it on such a mass scale peacefully. That will take decades and likely a lot of trial and error. 

[jumbo]

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26014387

[Sydebolle]

Does this include wrist watches and overpricing on subs?

On a more sombre note, I don't know how they manage to put a figure on the subject, it's a staggering THB 1'400 for each and every living Thai. Having said that, I - for one - spend more money yearly on "speeding up things" fees and the likes; I rather call them a "token of appreciation". 

[Eric Loh]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

CORRUPTION in the bureaucracy will cost the country up to Bt100 billion this fiscal year, an expert on graft revealed yesterday.

Have graft experts investigate military corruption. I bet they will be in for a massive shock. But of course none will dare as their fate will be dangling on a fine thread. 

[connda]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

CORRUPTION in the bureaucracy will cost the country up to Bt100 billion this fiscal year, an expert on graft revealed yesterday.

Is that all? 

[digger70]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

He based his estimate on the findings of 14 studies on corruption funded by the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC).

Why not Do something about the corruption ,,,, No need for 14 studies, Everyone Knows  the Whole country is Corrupt,,,

[from the home of CC]

They should be including the business of drug trafficking which thrives on corruption, and then of course the corruption is transnational. It's a whole lot of more money than most countries are willing to admit. 

[worgeordie]

Wish I could get some,

regards Worgeordie

[Srikcir]

2 hours ago, inThailand said:

there are 3.636 million government employees

Massively bloated government for a population of 69 million (2017).

In circa 2011 the number of federal employees in the U.S. government was far less per capita for a population of about 312 million. https://historyinpieces.com/research/federal-personnel-numbers-1962

In other words Thailand's number of government employees is more than 3 times the US on a per 100,000 capita basis. This suggests that even the number of Thailand's government employees reflects corruption.

[hotchilli]

Corruption is endemic in Thailand, learned from an early age by all sectors.

No matter what level it is rife and expected.

Should you gain a government postilion then you are assured of a charmed life.

Can it or will it ever change.. NO, never in a hundred lifetimes because it is excepted as the norm by almost 100% of the population and perpetuated by those in power who will never relinquish the benefits!

[Vacuum]

4 hours ago, mok199 said:

If Thailand had great education ,beautiful beaches and safe roads ,the corruption could be tolerated...but This broken Nation is far from all that.. 

But it has an abundance of cheap harlots.

[AhFarangJa]

Many years ago, near Surin, there were posters plastered everywhere for an upcoming local election. The usual ramrod pose in a white uniform bedecked with a myriad of colourful ribbons. When I asked the other half who was, and had she ever seen him the reply was "No, I nor anyone in the village has heard of him, but he wants to get voted into a government job so he can fill his pockets"........People in the countryside always seem to me to be resigned to this fact......

[Pedrogaz]

I read a study about 6 years ago done by some NGO that estimated that 30-50% of everything the government spends in Thailand goes in corruption. Apart from all the kickbacks there are contractors that use inferior and cheaper materials, that done;t meet the specs in the contract etc etc

A few years back, there was a fellow named Supoj who was the Permanent Secretary for Transport infrastructure. He was robbed and 18 million baht in cash was stolen from his house. The thieves were caught and reckoned there was so much cash that they couldn't carry it all away, they took as much as they could carry....it was stored in bin bags and the money was banded with bank wrappers. Supoj earned 30,000 per month and was unusually wealthy, he had a huge compound and lots of flashy cars, and millions upon millions in his and his family's bank accounts. He was in a position to take a cut of every infrastructure project they awarded, but of course he would never dream of doing anything like that. He claimed he earned the money moonlighting doing architectural plans in his spare time.

He was moved to an inactive position but as far as I am aware was never prosecuted and never saw a night in the cells. How can this sort of graft continue....at some point it must wreck the country.