Mindful Changes Needed To Weed Out Corruption In Thailand

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Mindful changes needed to weed out corruption

By The Nation

Shady conduct, attitudes have become part of our national character

BANGKOK: -- Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva are being investigated for abusing their position when they used their government office to send out short messages, or SMS, via mobile phone service last year.

In his and the prime minister's defence, Korn said SMS was meant for the public interest and that there was no personal gain nor conflict of interest.

The opposition, on the other hand, said it was a deal big enough for impeachment. They called on the counter corruption agency to go after them with no mercy.

Sounds a bit trivial - government officials using state property for personal gain? Probably. But if this fiasco about the SMS is to be a benchmark for corrupt practices, then it would be safe to say that just about all our elected leaders have committed such a sin.

Have any Thai politicians ever used a telephone in their office to call family members or friends for personal reasons, or used government cars and transportation for personal trips?

The problem with Thai society is that we are living in shades of grey without any real guidelines as to what is acceptable or not.

We have been living in this big shade of grey for so long that shady conduct and attitudes have, more or less, become a part of our national character.

We can talk all day about the problem, but few have ever come up with a solution as to how to address it.

Of course, there is no magic wand to wave over the country and wish the problem to go away. And because corruption is so deep-rooted in our society, all of us must do our part in combating it. From the man on the street to the prime minister, a person must be part of the solution or continue on course and remain part of the problem.

One common excuse as to why our government officials are so corrupt is pinned on their low wages. In this respect, officials become corrupted because they have to make ends meet. But where does greed get factored in? Too much doesn't seem to be enough.

The question is how do we build a system that weeds out corruption? Let's try one that is based on merit rather then personal connection.

In countries with high marks for transparency and accountability - another way of saying less corrupt practices - bureaucratic systems and military are designed in such a way that permit outstanding people to shine above the rest, while those who don't cut it are weeded out.

The Thai army has nearly 1,000 generals, most of whom have no real command post, much less a job, while a country like Australia has four.

The Thai armed forces know that the majority of their budget goes to routine spending, like salary and benefits, not towards strengthening military capability and capacity. A leaner armed military would definitely mean more meaningful forces.

The same could be said for the civilian side of the government bureaucracy. Bloated, corrupt and ineffective are some of the words that come to mind when one speaks of Thai bureaucracy.

Perhaps if we used the same standards for our government officials as the private sector and paid the employees a market rate, then what would happen?

It could help the so-called brain drain, a process in which the country's best and brightest are lured to the private sector because of the financial rewards.

But that might not be enough. Promotion would then be based on merit instead of time in service.

But do we have the educational institutions to train our people to meet the challenges of this globalised world?

Today schools, technical colleges, universities are popping up all over the country like convenience stores. But sadly education, as opposed to making money, doesn't seem to be high on their priority.

We have this false institutional pride that pits students from one technical school against another, but we don't have a tradition promoting standards of excellence.

And when our elected leaders talk about corruption, it sounds like a broken record. Instead of raising the issue of corruption for its own sake, they raise it to score political points. And they wonder why there isn't public trust in the government service.

-- The Nation 2010-07-19

[Pib]

It better be a BIG mind as a lot of changes are needed to weed out corruption.

[junglist]

It’s too late to weed out corruption. It would be easier to simple start anew. But witch one of the 1000 unneeded generals would ever give up his title for the sake of the nation?

[JayBangkok]

If we used the same standards for our government officials as the private sector and paid the employees a market rate, they would also have to work to the same standards.

Also it would be a good start if the private and public sectors had the same heath care benefits and holidays.

To help reduce corruption there should also be completely anonymous whistle blowers web site where corrupt officials could be reported without any fear of reprisals.

[scorecard]

If we used the same standards for our government officials as the private sector and paid the employees a market rate, they would also have to work to the same standards.

Also it would be a good start if the private and public sectors had the same heath care benefits and holidays.

To help reduce corruption there should also be completely anonymous whistle blowers web site where corrupt officials could be reported without any fear of reprisals.

Would also help (but not a total cure of cousre) if both parties to corruption were punished. And posibly the best example is vote buying. Punish both parties! (But in this scenario what is also needed is voter education to ensure that voters understand what democracy is and how it works, the ultimate severe downside of votebuying, and also much better informed about how they are used by the actual votebuyers.

[Bailish]

People are corrupt when they can do it easily and get away with it. The benefits outweigh the risks.

[slapout]

People are corrupt when they can do it easily and get away with it. The benefits outweigh the risks.

Probably the understatement of the day on Tv, concerning Thai corruption. Until the penalty (risks) for all parties involved, are such, that its brings second thoughts, there is no practical solution to the problem.

[Rucharee]

There is no corruption left in Thailand, since the day PAD chase Thaksin away.

Edited July 19, 2010 by Rucharee

[jayjay0]

If we used the same standards for our government officials as the private sector and paid the employees a market rate, they would also have to work to the same standards.

Also it would be a good start if the private and public sectors had the same heath care benefits and holidays.

To help reduce corruption there should also be completely anonymous whistle blowers web site where corrupt officials could be reported without any fear of reprisals.

Would also help (but not a total cure of cousre) if both parties to corruption were punished. And posibly the best example is vote buying. Punish both parties! (But in this scenario what is also needed is voter education to ensure that voters understand what democracy is and how it works, the ultimate severe downside of votebuying, and also much better informed about how they are used by the actual votebuyers.

Right on most Thais don't know what democracy is. They think voting for the one who gives you the most money is democracy. Imagine if the villages with a head man could vote every other year for the position without reprisal. so many of them come to Bangkok on a paid holiday and say they do not have democracy yet at home they do not and they can live with that.

Yes wages defiantly have a hand in who the government gets. Honest Qualified people for ministorial roles are going to take a hard look at what they can get in the private sector before they decide to run for office.

[jayjayjayjay]

"The question is how do we build a system that weeds out corruption?"

Privatize government and all government services. Shareholders are far better at getting good management than voters.

[WatUp]

Really? 1,000 generals? Is that even close to true? If so lol

[SomTumTiger]

There is no corruption left in Thailand, since the day PAD chase Thaksin away.

That is a false statement - stop trolling Rucharee.

[junglist]

Really? 1,000 generals? Is that even close to true? If so lol

Too many Cooks ruin the Soup. Too many Generals ruin the Nation.

[LanxangBillybob]

'The Thai army has nearly 1,000 generals, most of whom have no real command post, much less a job, while a country like Australia has four.'

I've heard of the Thais being victims of generalization before, but this is ridiculous.

[BSJ]

The Thai army has nearly 1,000 generals, most of whom have no real

command post, much less a job, while a country like Australia has four.

Tis true sadly. I guess in the time of a crisis they have built in redundancy! But by the same token Australia probably only needs one....since we usually only tag along with others in their wars. That's right folks, Australia has never started a war! Edited July 19, 2010 by BSJ

[selftaopath]

<br>It's too late to weed out corruption. It would be easier to simple start anew. But witch one of the 1000 unneeded generals would ever give up his title for the sake of the nation?<br><br><br>

<br><br>LOL .. Great question. Which worthless general thinks anything a/b his/her country? The place is froth with self serving, greedy, individuals. And I hope none of them seriously claim to follow the Buddhist traditions. LOL ah what a place. And to think Australia has 4 generals. I would love to see the stats on other countries re: number of "generals." LOL  

[Crushdepth]

That's right folks, Australia has never started a war!

Only because we know we'd get our arse kicked. And the rest of the world is so far away it doesn't really matter what happens over there....zzzzzzz

[surangw]

the difficult  and necessary   part would be to convince  the the thai population not to put up with  corruption.  ( who will they complain to  that will listen and do something)<div><br></div><div>tough to do since its been ingrained into  the   economic system for  generations.</div>

[Rucharee]

There is no corruption left in Thailand, since the day PAD chase Thaksin away.

That is a false statement - stop trolling Rucharee.

OK. I rephrase that.

"There are little corruption left in Thailand, since the day PAD chase Thaksin away."

Now, can you challenge this statement?

[nickjam]

There is no corruption left in Thailand, since the day PAD chase Thaksin away.

That is a false statement - stop trolling Rucharee.

OK. I rephrase that.

"There are little corruption left in Thailand, since the day PAD chase Thaksin away."

Now, can you challenge this statement?

You're either a master of sarcasm or slightly deluded me thinks. I respect your desire to defend your country's reputation but can you honestly say that the Thai police force is a non-corrupt organisation?!?

[Rucharee]

There is no corruption left in Thailand, since the day PAD chase Thaksin away.

That is a false statement - stop trolling Rucharee.

OK. I rephrase that.

"There are little corruption left in Thailand, since the day PAD chase Thaksin away."

Now, can you challenge this statement?

You're either a master of sarcasm or slightly deluded me thinks. I respect your desire to defend your country's reputation but can you honestly say that the Thai police force is a non-corrupt organisation?!?

I agree that there are some corruption left especially the police (who is corrupted primarily by Thaksin in the 1st place).

However, IMHO, corruption as a whole have significantly reduced.

Can't you feel that?

[buddy]

I agree that there are some corruption left especially the police (who is corrupted primarily by Thaksin in the 1st place).

However, IMHO, corruption as a whole have significantly reduced.

Can't you feel that?

Oh, this morning when I woke up yawning and stretched my arms Thailand feels less corrupt, how can you "feel" corruption is getting reduced, what a ridculous statement?

Now I can understand how the multitudes react when they " feel" the 100 baht note snatched from thier hand by the traffic cops?...I wont even comment on Customs or Government contracts!

Corruption starts at home with the Puya Ban (spelling), when he bribes the village to vote his way and is accepted as the norm.

Corrupt Corrupt Corrupt through every strata of society!

[elkangorito]

"The question is how do we build a system that weeds out corruption?"

Privatize government and all government services. Shareholders are far better at getting good management than voters.

And end up like the USA? No thanks!!!

Usury sucks big time.

[jayjay0]

Buddy

You say [ Corruption starts at home with the Puya Ban (spelling), when he bribes the village to vote his way and is accepted as the norm.]

How wrong can you be that is democracy at work if you don't believe me just ask any red shirt.:jap:

[BlueTerrace]

1000 Generals? Is that for real? The mind boggles to think of so much waste.

[BKK03]

The country know as "Thailand" has been built upon corruption from the out set of Thai history. The present government, military, and Royal structure feed upon the same forms of corruption and nepotism as was in the beginning. The "haves" will continue to be on top until reformation takes place through peaceful or other means. It is common for a student to graduate in the U.S.from a university with a C average, and have his/her Thai family show up and rent a fine dining restaurant where their imported chef and personal staff cook a banquet meal for 200 people for free. This is a status performance and leaves many westerners thinking these people are Thai ROYAL house hole members. While it is not true, the perception is still there. It also introduces the gulf between the group at the high edges of the upper middle class (not many) and the regular Thai working citizen (bulk of population). Corruption in Thailand is a way of life and I personally don't think it is going to change any time soon. For us folks that don't count to the Thais it is not a bad system because we can continue to pay the bribe and give the present, and in the end have most of our desires met. The sad fact is that the bulk of the Thai people suffer from this dishonest practice. They are hard working people and deserve better. One thing followers another.So we will see what happens in Thailand in the next 3 years.......

[bangkokburning]

"The question is how do we build a system that weeds out corruption?"

Privatize government and all government services. Shareholders are far better at getting good management than voters.

This is the ugly US Rethuglican notion that markets are a) free need no regulation c) work

Where would most Americans retirement be if it were put into the market under GWB?

Stockhlders don't manage anything - It's only about short term dividends payouts.

What about the shorters?

Stockholders did a great job of managing....BP/Exxon/Shell, Enron, Tyco, Wall Street, big pharma, mortgage industry, housing industry, the US auto industry - huh?

We have seen for decades in the USA now how this notion is pure nonsense. The people that spout it are the only ones that stand to gain. A decade of GWB and look at the US. Ravaged by opportunists. Funny how these people hate government spending that goes to the poor and unemployed but have no issue with lobbying and taking money for the corporation they hold shares in.

[craigt3365]

1000 Generals? Is that for real? The mind boggles to think of so much waste.

1000 RICH generals...corruption is a way of life here. Hopefully, it is getting a bit better now than under Thaksin. But the police, army, politicians and....well....lots....are all corrupt. Major changes are needed or Thailand will forever be a banana republic with no respect from the rest of the world. Just a notch above Myanmar.

[Pib]

1000 Generals? Is that for real? The mind boggles to think of so much waste.

1000 RICH generals...corruption is a way of life here. Hopefully, it is getting a bit better now than under Thaksin. But the police, army, politicians and....well....lots....are all corrupt. Major changes are needed or Thailand will forever be a banana republic with no respect from the rest of the world. Just a notch above Myanmar.

Let's see, just for comparison, the U.S. military has approx 900 generals, is the second largest military in the world with around 1.5 million active duty troops (China is 1st), has hundreds of bases around the world, lots of tanks/ships/planes/missiles/submarines/space based systems/etc, lots of worldwide missions, etc. The Thai military has approx 1000 generals, is around the 14th largest military in the world with around 300,000 active duty troops, has bases throughout Thailand (which is about the size of Texas) and lets just say a lot less military equipment than the U.S. Yeap, about 1000 generals sounds like the absolute minimum needed, but keep in mind each country has a different mindset about what ranks should hold certain jobs/responsibilities.