Lack Of Political Will Is A Major Obstacle In Improving Thailand's Transparency

[webfact]

CORRUPTION

Lack of political will is a major obstacle in improving Thailand's transparency

By Achara Deboonme

The Nation

Lack of political will is a major obstacle in improving Thailand's transparency, as 'lip service' results in no investment in IT and no other supports amid mushrooming corruption and evolution of corruption approaches, panellists at a roundtable discussion said.

At the discussion entitled "Transparency against corruption", Justice Permanent Secretary Kittipong Kittayarak noted that better IT infrastructure will help in the monitoring process.

Utis Kaothien, honourary advisor to National Anti-Corruption Commission, added that under the UN Convention Against Corruption, the Finance Ministry needs to establish a committee to monitor all government procurements, NACC would be the catalyst while the private sector will push forward the move.

"Yet, we're told that none of the 2012 budget would be allocated for the monitoring process. The Comptroller General's Office does not even know if it could allocate some of the budget allocated for the 2013 fiscal year. We have the platform, and the players (private companies and NACC). What is missing is the political will," Utis said.

To Juree Vichit-Vadakan, secretary general of Transparency International (Thailand), corruption eradication is part of election promises of all parties. Now, it's time to fulfil the promise with full supports to the NACC anti-graft strategies. For a start, there should be a budget in uploading public information on the web site.

"Political will is required if transparency is to be assured. This will pave way for public assessment," she said, adding that the general public now makes use of the Public Information Act for their personal reasons, not for public information.

Political will is expected to boost public awareness and public participation in the process.

According to Pol Lt Col Warat Wichiensan, expert of the Office of the Official Information Commission, Government House, despite the Public Information Act, the general public does not exercise their rights for the access to public information.

"It's necessary that the public realise that all information belong to them, not the government. The office's officials are actually working for them, though now they witholding information for fears of influential figures," he noted.

To Kittipong, to put corruption under tight control, there must be a central unit, with the government's full supports, to monitor all government units' implementation of anti-corruption strategies.

According to Phakdee Photisiri, a member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Somchai government in 2008 endorsed the idea to allocate 0.3 per cent of national budget, but nothing happened.

In 2009, the Abhisit government endorsed the establishment of a steering committee, chaired by the prime minister. It urged all government units to submit anti-graft strategies. In 2010, only half complied, but none of the strategies have been implemented, citing lack of budgets. Moreover, transparency weight is only 3 per cent of key performance index.

"There's no clear political will though Thailand's ratification on the UN Convention Against Corruption. NACC alone could not guarantee success. It's also upto the administration and all politicians. This must be a national agenda, made known to Thai and foreign communities, to show that Thailand is serious in eradicating corruption. It's not just a lip service"

Democrat MP Wilas Chantarapitak, former chairman of Graft House Committee, noted that corruption approaches have been advancing. In his first term as MP, bribery accounted for only 5-10 per cent but now it's 40 per cent on average. The House Committee, during the Abhisit government, found that bribery for 18 construction projects accounts for 100 per cent: budgets were endorsed for the construction of something already exist.

Wilas commended the NAAC and private sector's initiative in combating the corruption. Likening bribing companies and politicians to ghosts and coffins, he said if private companies join hands in denying payments, the corruption would end. He also commended NACC's move to revise the law, to protect witnesses and whistle blowers. Yet, he suggested that the NACC comes up with a clear timeframe on its investigation. He said prolonged investigation results in late punishment, and this makes the punishment less frightening for wrongdoers.

"If I have to live with punishment, I'd be terrified. But I won't care if the punishment comes after my departure. It's unnecessary to have nicely-drafted policies. What matters is how to plug the loopholes, as the cheaters can always find ways," he said.

Wilas referred to his experience that ministers usually exercise their power in stopping civil servants to reveal information as asked by the graft panel. He said it would help if, if approved by half of members, the panel files charge against the "no show".

He also noted that much of anti-corruption efforts focus on government procurements, but corruption practices have evolved. For example, a rogue civil servant helps a miner get a mineral transportation license, rather than a mining license which is more difficult to obtain. For that, the miner bought a land plot and pretended to operate a fish farm. During the construction, he reported the finding of mineral and that was confirmed by the civil servant. Eventually, the miner was issued a license to transport the mineral. However, rather than transporting the mineral from his land, the miner transported illegal minerals from watersheds to his land.

"Corruption is apparent at all levels. Children now bear witness to this, accompanying their parents into the principal's office where they negotiation the tea money in return for the children's school enrolment," he said.

To Juree, aside from anti-corruption infrastructure, it is time to invest in software - public mindset. Countries with high transparency are the countries where public acceptance of such practices is low.

Phakdee suggested that anti-corruption strategies included in the National Economic and Social Development Plan, so that the strategies are proceeding despite government changes. Meanwhile, poll institutes must be more careful in conducting polls. Regarding to a house's poll that shows the huge public acceptance of corruption, he said it is wrong for the house to question respondents if they can live with cheated politicians if they boost the economy.

"How could they ask the question when all know that corruption can no way benefit the country. With the distorted process, all would say yes. It's like asking "would you jump out of the window if you can fly?" All who want to fly would say yes," Phakdee noted.

-- The Nation 2011-08-15

[visions]

Democrat MP Wilas Chantarapitak, former chairman of Graft House Committee, noted that corruption approaches have been advancing. In his first term as MP, bribery accounted for only 5-10 per cent but now it's 40 per cent on average. The House Committee, during the Abhisit government, found that bribery for 18 construction projects accounts for 100 per cent: budgets were endorsed for the construction of something already exist.

And they had the Audacity to acuse Thaksin........

[JurgenG]

Democrat MP Wilas Chantarapitak, former chairman of Graft House Committee, noted that corruption approaches have been advancing. In his first term as MP, bribery accounted for only 5-10 per cent but now it's 40 per cent on average. The House Committee, during the Abhisit government, found that bribery for 18 construction projects accounts for 100 per cent: budgets were endorsed for the construction of something already exist.

And they had the Audacity to acuse Thaksin........

I was at a family gathering just after Abhisit was promoted PM by the junta.

There was a couple of democrats, some at the highest level. A couple of big businessmen too.

The main subject of conversation ? When bidding for government contract, who were the new persons to bribe.

It was really interesting to understand how each party of the coalition has carved his little "niche".

As you say, and they have the audacity to call Thaksin corrupt

[Roadman]

Democrat MP Wilas Chantarapitak, former chairman of Graft House Committee, noted that corruption approaches have been advancing. In his first term as MP, bribery accounted for only 5-10 per cent but now it's 40 per cent on average. The House Committee, during the Abhisit government, found that bribery for 18 construction projects accounts for 100 per cent: budgets were endorsed for the construction of something already exist.

And they had the Audacity to acuse Thaksin........

Duh.... The corruption you are highlighting was "found" under the Pinnochio government not committed by him. Not saying that the Dems were not corrupt but to try and draw the long bow there to the massive corruption of Thaksin is drawing it a bit far.

[lovetotravel]

Democrat MP Wilas Chantarapitak, former chairman of Graft House Committee, noted that corruption approaches have been advancing. In his first term as MP, bribery accounted for only 5-10 per cent but now it's 40 per cent on average. The House Committee, during the Abhisit government, found that bribery for 18 construction projects accounts for 100 per cent: budgets were endorsed for the construction of something already exist.

And they had the Audacity to acuse Thaksin........

Are you saying Thaksin wasn't corrupt? Unfortunately, he was one of the worst offenders. But for sure, they are all corrupt.

[Bakseedaa]

Democrat MP Wilas Chantarapitak, former chairman of Graft House Committee, noted that corruption approaches have been advancing. In his first term as MP, bribery accounted for only 5-10 per cent but now it's 40 per cent on average. The House Committee, during the Abhisit government, found that bribery for 18 construction projects accounts for 100 per cent: budgets were endorsed for the construction of something already exist.

And they had the Audacity to acuse Thaksin........

From policeman to Billionaire............... regular occurence,,,Right..?

[Bakseedaa]

Democrat MP Wilas Chantarapitak, former chairman of Graft House Committee, noted that corruption approaches have been advancing. In his first term as MP, bribery accounted for only 5-10 per cent but now it's 40 per cent on average. The House Committee, during the Abhisit government, found that bribery for 18 construction projects accounts for 100 per cent: budgets were endorsed for the construction of something already exist.

And they had the Audacity to acuse Thaksin........

I was at a family gathering just after Abhisit was promoted PM by the junta.

There was a couple of democrats, some at the highest level. A couple of big businessmen too.

The main subject of conversation ? When bidding for government contract, who were the new persons to bribe.

It was really interesting to understand how each party of the coalition has carved his little "niche".

As you say, and they have the audacity to call Thaksin corrupt

And of course they spoke all this corruption talk in perfect English..... tell your wife to get her own TV identity ... and the sitting MPs voted in Abhisit, the junta is next door in Burma... Sometimes its better to keep quiet and let people think you are an idiot, that to open it and provide evidence..!

[wackysleet]

Democrat MP Wilas Chantarapitak, former chairman of Graft House Committee, noted that corruption approaches have been advancing. In his first term as MP, bribery accounted for only 5-10 per cent but now it's 40 per cent on average. The House Committee, during the Abhisit government, found that bribery for 18 construction projects accounts for 100 per cent: budgets were endorsed for the construction of something already exist.

And they had the Audacity to acuse Thaksin........

From policeman to Billionaire............... regular occurence,,,Right..?

That's something of an over simplication of the events, but keep it simple, probably easier for some people on here to continue overlooking high ups in the Dems, after all attack is the best form of defence so they say.

[ginjag]

Democrat MP Wilas Chantarapitak, former chairman of Graft House Committee, noted that corruption approaches have been advancing. In his first term as MP, bribery accounted for only 5-10 per cent but now it's 40 per cent on average. The House Committee, during the Abhisit government, found that bribery for 18 construction projects accounts for 100 per cent: budgets were endorsed for the construction of something already exist.

And they had the Audacity to acuse Thaksin........

I was at a family gathering just after Abhisit was promoted PM by the junta.

There was a couple of democrats, some at the highest level. A couple of big businessmen too.

The main subject of conversation ? When bidding for government contract, who were the new persons to bribe.

It was really interesting to understand how each party of the coalition has carved his little "niche".

As you say, and they have the audacity to call Thaksin corrupt

The man IS corrupt period. AND anyone else that indulges in the sick practice whatever party.

there are no excuses for it, it's greed=habit= I would not defend anyone that I knew that indulged.

SO WHY DO YOU.

corruption is here to stay, especially now if you condone it - up to you if you think it makes you a better person and you can still hold your head up high without a thought of what your doing.

What a sick life to go through involving yourself in this way, This answer is aimed at the -never mind attitude from posters, who try to say' they did so why can't he''????

All this government is doing is giving the limelight to a person that shouldn't be allowed it.........

If it fulfilled all it's promises NOW..... not give us 6 months, and started to do positive things NOW and if I thought they were genuine I would maybe have some Kinder words for them.

If on the other hand posters who know whats going on and turn a blind eye to it, and use other parties failures to cloud over the wrongs, then all I can say is I feel sorry for your attitude, and would not want a friend like that. Being neutral as we all should be, and speaking the truth about events will make us all I hope better persons.

I have given my big share of bashing of many subjects if I actually believed it was wrong. But do not condone any person democrats or other who go down the bad path.

naturally I will now lose many potential friends.

Edited August 15, 2011 by ginjag

[scorecard]

Democrat MP Wilas Chantarapitak, former chairman of Graft House Committee, noted that corruption approaches have been advancing. In his first term as MP, bribery accounted for only 5-10 per cent but now it's 40 per cent on average. The House Committee, during the Abhisit government, found that bribery for 18 construction projects accounts for 100 per cent: budgets were endorsed for the construction of something already exist.

And they had the Audacity to acuse Thaksin........

I was at a family gathering just after Abhisit was promoted PM by the junta.

There was a couple of democrats, some at the highest level. A couple of big businessmen too.

The main subject of conversation ? When bidding for government contract, who were the new persons to bribe.

It was really interesting to understand how each party of the coalition has carved his little "niche".

As you say, and they have the audacity to call Thaksin corrupt

And of course they spoke all this corruption talk in perfect English..... tell your wife to get her own TV identity ... and the sitting MPs voted in Abhisit, the junta is next door in Burma... Sometimes its better to keep quiet and let people think you are an idiot, that to open it and provide evidence..!

And be a bit more honest, you know very well that abhisit moved into the PM seat through a process provided for in the election laws of Thailand, the same way samak occupied the big chair.

[whybother]

Democrat MP Wilas Chantarapitak, former chairman of Graft House Committee, noted that corruption approaches have been advancing. In his first term as MP, bribery accounted for only 5-10 per cent but now it's 40 per cent on average. The House Committee, during the Abhisit government, found that bribery for 18 construction projects accounts for 100 per cent: budgets were endorsed for the construction of something already exist.

And they had the Audacity to acuse Thaksin........

What laws did Abhisit change for personal benefit?

[moe666]

The few here cont. for what ever reason to condone Thaksins corruption, for what ever reason, I donot get it maybe they have a chair next to him when he comes sneaking back in.