Thai Govt Pressed For Response To Anti-Graft Demands

[webfact]

CORRUPTION

Govt pressed for response to anti-graft demands

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation

Private sector watchdog urges PM to adopt suggestions

BANGKOK: -- The Anti-Corruption Network, a watchdog formed by the private sector, has urged Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to respond to its demand for an end to graft after it submitted an outline for solving the problem more than a month ago.

"The government should show its sincerity in cooperating with the network and follow our outline for closely monitoring huge government spending under flood-relief measures, as the projects could lead to big losses if there's any corruption," ACN chairman Pramon Sutivong said yesterday.

The network also found that corruption awareness was still very low.

A survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce showed that the corruption perception index went up slightly from 3.5 points in November to 3.6 points in December.

Despite the slight improvement, the corruption situation is very dangerous, since the index was much lower than the average, Pramon said.

To get rid of corruption, the private sector needs closer cooperation from the government, he said.

The network submitted two letters on December 20 and last Thursday to the prime minister describing three steps the government must take to keep track of its huge budget on the country's rehabilitation, but has received no answer to its proposals.

The ACN will wait for a reply for a couple weeks, then call for a meeting with the government, as the first rehabilitation project will involve a huge budget of at least Bt17 billion.

If the government does not cooperate with business, the country could lose a huge amount of money to graft or unscrupulous officials, funds that should have gone towards solving the flood problem.

The ACN's outline called for the government to disclose information to the public clearly on procurements so that every section of society could easily observe the government's actions.

Next, the government should launch its own audit or investigation unit to double-check spending.

Finally, the Cabinet should give full authority to the National Anti-Corruption Commission to release information and set a median price for state bids and procurement to use as a benchmark for keeping an eye on future corruption.

To build awareness, the network has set up its own watchdog project to recruit volunteers to help the anti-graft network and monitor any corrupt activities, focusing on the government's spending on flood prevention and rehabilitation.

Initially, the network targets 1,000 volunteers from the public and private sectors and the media to join the project. It will hold a training session for 500 volunteers on March 1.

Thanavath Phonvichai, director of the university's Economic and Business Forecasting Centre, said corruption in Thailand was getting worse.

Corruption has caused huge losses on each project from the government or private sector.

The average loss due to corruption has jumped from 10-15 per cent of project value to 25-30 per cent.

The loss per project is likely to rise to 40 per cent because of the tepid concern shown towards the graft menace by responsible agencies and careless officials, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-02-01

[pimay11]

"Next, the government should launch its own audit or investigation unit to double-check spending".

Boy is that a promising suggestion or what? Corrupt officials investigating themselves.

[virtualtraveller]

Tackling corruption is a double edged sword for any govt. The public (in Bangkok at least) expect it, the govt promise to look into it, but scratch too deep and you'll be exposing your cronies. Govt's here and across Asia need a bit of corruption to compete and survive.

[thequietman]

'To build awareness, the network has set up its own watchdog project to recruit volunteers to help the anti-graft network and monitor any corrupt activities, focusing on the government's spending on flood prevention and rehabilitation'

In order for this private network to force this through, they must get the thai voters to take to the capital. in order to get them there, they will need buses, water and food. In order to get the thai voters to do this, they must pay them. (graft)

In order to get this agreement endorsed by the government, there must be a referendum. The thai people will need to vote. in order to get the thai electorate to vote for this forward thinking idea they must buy their vote. (graft) so the private sector must use graft to get the voters to vote against graft.

to just suggest to the thai voters that this would be the best thing for thailand and all the thai people is pointless. you will still get the comments from the thai voters, "whats in it for me TODAY. when will I get some Money." no long term thinking for the betterment of the nation, just today,today,now, ME.

[noitom]

You can't combat the pervasive corruption in Thailand without a proactive press. In most supposedly democratic or quasi-democratic nations, it's been the press evangelizing causes and doing the footwork. Documenting facts, calling out the offenders, pursuing them relentlessly, investigating thoroughly, and all of the things needed to increase awareness until public sentiment shifts and actions happen. The press in Thailand is worthless as far as pursuing social change and fixing the broken parts. Journalists and editors in many countries have risked their lives to go up against corrupt police, army, political systems, and drug and prostitution cartels. The Thai press does nothing more than enable the gangster mentality and erosion of Thailand to that of a failed state.

[drdoom6996]

'To build awareness, the network has set up its own watchdog project to recruit volunteers to help the anti-graft network and monitor any corrupt activities, focusing on the government's spending on flood prevention and rehabilitation'

In order for this private network to force this through, they must get the thai voters to take to the capital. in order to get them there, they will need buses, water and food. In order to get the thai voters to do this, they must pay them. (graft)

In order to get this agreement endorsed by the government, there must be a referendum. The thai people will need to vote. in order to get the thai electorate to vote for this forward thinking idea they must buy their vote. (graft) so the private sector must use graft to get the voters to vote against graft.

to just suggest to the thai voters that this would be the best thing for thailand and all the thai people is pointless. you will still get the comments from the thai voters, "whats in it for me TODAY. when will I get some Money." no long term thinking for the betterment of the nation, just today,today,now, ME.

you got that right

[OzMick]

"Next, the government should launch its own audit or investigation unit to double-check spending".

Boy is that a promising suggestion or what? Corrupt officials investigating themselves.

"The average loss due to corruption has jumped from 10-15 per cent of project value to 25-30 per cent.

The loss per project is likely to rise to 40 per cent.............."

The extra will be to pay off the auditors - more snouts in the trough.

[SICHONSTEVE]

"Next, the government should launch its own audit or investigation unit to double-check spending".

Boy is that a promising suggestion or what? Corrupt officials investigating themselves.

Yes!!! Just makes you feel so confident doesn't it!!

"If the government does not cooperate with business, the country COULD lose a huge amount of money to graft or unscrupulous officials, funds that should have gone towards solving the flood problem".

They really should try to improve their mastery of English - just look how they have spelt WOULD!!!.

[geriatrickid]

"Next, the government should launch its own audit or investigation unit to double-check spending".

Boy is that a promising suggestion or what? Corrupt officials investigating themselves.

It is better than doing nothing and would be an improvement over the previous administration.

Don't forget that when the former finance minister Korn let loose his "stimulus" spending, there was no additional surveillance or monitoring mechanism.

[Jerrytheyoung]

This is how it works ... and a Country is moving up in the Asean:

Today in local Malaysian press

KUCHING: Four people were fined between RM1,500 and RM2,000 on Wednesday for attempting to bribe policemen not to issue summonses to them for various traffic offences.

Phang Fah Tat, 35; Kuan Choon Foo, 38; Ng Soon Chai, 55; and Fong Jun Pin, 26, were charged under Section 17( of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act with “corruptly giving gratification” to the policemen on Nov 3 last year.

Phang was fined RM2,000, Kuan and Fong RM1,800 each and Ng RM1,500 by Sessions Court judge Ahmad Azhari Abdul Hamid, who presided over the cases brought by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

All four paid the fines.

[billd766]

"Next, the government should launch its own audit or investigation unit to double-check spending".

Boy is that a promising suggestion or what? Corrupt officials investigating themselves.

It is better than doing nothing and would be an improvement over the previous administration.

Don't forget that when the former finance minister Korn let loose his "stimulus" spending, there was no additional surveillance or monitoring mechanism.

Why stop at Korn and the Democrats?

Was there no corruption under Somchai, Samak (think fire trucks and fire boats), the military government, Thaksins 2 or 3 governments before.

Plus Chuan and Dems before that, Banharn, Chavalit et al.

If you go back to 1995 the Democrats have only been in power perhaps 4 or 5 years out of the 17 which means non Democrats were in power and snouts in the trough for 12 or 13 years.

Are you saying that all of them were perfect with no corruption and many controls?

[SICHONSTEVE]

This is how it works ... and a Country is moving up in the Asean:

Today in local Malaysian press

KUCHING: Four people were fined between RM1,500 and RM2,000 on Wednesday for attempting to bribe policemen not to issue summonses to them for various traffic offences.

Phang Fah Tat, 35; Kuan Choon Foo, 38; Ng Soon Chai, 55; and Fong Jun Pin, 26, were charged under Section 17( of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act with “corruptly giving gratification” to the policemen on Nov 3 last year.

Phang was fined RM2,000, Kuan and Fong RM1,800 each and Ng RM1,500 by Sessions Court judge Ahmad Azhari Abdul Hamid, who presided over the cases brought by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

All four paid the fines.

They should give a decent percentage of the fines money to the police who 'shopped them" - then you might (just might) see less of this odious practice taking place.

Edited February 1, 2012 by SICHONSTEVE

[SICHONSTEVE]

"Next, the government should launch its own audit or investigation unit to double-check spending".

Boy is that a promising suggestion or what? Corrupt officials investigating themselves.

It is better than doing nothing and would be an improvement over the previous administration.

Don't forget that when the former finance minister Korn let loose his "stimulus" spending, there was no additional surveillance or monitoring mechanism.

Why stop at Korn and the Democrats?

Was there no corruption under Somchai, Samak (think fire trucks and fire boats), the military government, Thaksins 2 or 3 governments before.

Plus Chuan and Dems before that, Banharn, Chavalit et al.

If you go back to 1995 the Democrats have only been in power perhaps 4 or 5 years out of the 17 which means non Democrats were in power and snouts in the trough for 12 or 13 years.

Are you saying that all of them were perfect with no corruption and many controls?

How dare you accuse Thaksin of this!!!! He is a fine upstanding fugitive and I refuse to let anyone besmirch his name!!!.

[EvilDrSomkid]

Documenting facts, calling out the offenders, pursuing them relentlessly, investigating thoroughly, and all of the things needed to increase awareness until public sentiment shifts and actions happen.

Which is called defamation in this country and very dangerous. And illegal.