Corruption - A Cancer That Erodes Morality And Wellbeing: Thai Editorial

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EDITORIAL
A cancer that erodes morality and wellbeing
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Corruption infects Thailand at every level, causing harm to the individual citizen, the national economy and our business environment; our very future could lie in the balance.

The cost of doing business in Thailand is increasing due to corruption. Between 10 and 30 per cent in extra costs are added to business operations because firms have to pay kickbacks, according to their executives.

Sixty-three per cent of corporate executives surveyed recently by the Thai Institute of Directors (IOD) said corruption has an impact on their business operations at "high and very high levels". Ninety-three per cent agreed that the problem of corruption continues at a seriously critical level.

The survey results are further indication that corruption is an endemic problem in Thailand. It is like a cancer. If we do nothing to stop the growth of malignant tumours, the entire country will ultimately succumb to the disease.

According to the IOD poll, most of Thailand's business leaders acknowledge that corruption has been rampant since 2010 at high to very high levels, jeopardising the country's long-term business credibility. The findings reflect previous studies by international organisations showing that Thailand remains plagued by corruption - a factor that surely undermines the overall investment climate.

Thailand ranked 88th in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2012, which shows perceived levels of public-sector corruption in 176 countries and territories. The Kingdom has fared worse and worse in recent years. It was ranked 80th in 2011 and 78th in 2010 in the index compiled by Transparency International, a non-governmental organisation that describes itself as "the global coalition against corruption".

Corruption happens at every level of government and bureaucracy. Many would agree that the best and most likely opportunities for graft are in tenders with the government sector for big procurement and construction projects.

In addition to greed and lack of ethics on the part of corrupt politicians and bureaucrats, there are other factors that feed this graft. These include laws and regulations that allow state officials to use their own judgement over standard rules, a political system that lacks transparency and is difficult to investigate, and weak law enforcement.

While the bureaucrats and politicians involved in graft make personal gains, the country and its taxpayers as a whole lose and suffer in many ways. Corruption leads to reduced competitiveness and a negative image for the country, a decline in society's morality and slow economic growth. Corruption leads to unnecessary extra costs for consumers and the wasteful spending of taxpayers' money. Eventually it is consumers and taxpayers who have to shoulder the cost of graft. The price of government projects balloons because contractors have to pay bribes in order to secure deals.

A number of businesses are campaigning against bribery and bribe-taking. They have joined the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT). But there are still many businesses that prefer to bribe their way to state deals.

There are some signs of hope. In the IOD survey, 75 per cent of the respondents said they believe the private sector can play a major role in the fight against corruption. And 93 per cent, up from 69 per cent in a 2010 survey, expressed readiness to join in collective action against graft. Fifty-one per cent of the executives polled said they "definitely wanted" to take part in such action, compared to just 14 per cent in 2010.

In fact, the business sector could help substantially in the fight against corruption. Businesses can stop paying bribes or kickbacks to corrupt bureaucrats and politicians. This might prove difficult for executives since the bribes can give them an edge over competitors in a country rife with graft. Do not expect the corrupt politicians and bureaucrats to join the campaign against corruption. We the people have to do it ourselves. Stop paying bribes, for a better future for our children and grandchildren.


-- The Nation 2013-06-06

[kurnell]

blah blah blah

[rkidlad]

God, this is boring.

As a newspaper, go undercover and expose the corruption that is so obvious in this society.

Don't wanna risk your life or license to expose these people? Then stop writing such futile articles .

Action and not words is what is needed.

[noitom]

Another preposterous editorial in denial on this subject.

[Bellweather]

Articles like this are ten a penny and are a waste of trees. Corruption is such a way of life that I've heard arguments that when something is so accepted it ceases to be a wrong.

Of course people complain and politicians etc say the right things but opinion poll after poll shows the majority of Thais see it as acceptable providing everyone can share and it's not excessive, whatever that is.

Just how does anyone change an attitude like that in society ?

[bkkgriz]

Bla bla bla. I've been living here for 8 years now. It seems I read this same article every six to eight months. The truth of the matter is that nobody has the will or the desire to change the culture of corruption. It will be a very brave and short lived individual who tries to end that part of the culture here.

[bigbamboo]

Well at least Thailand is the hub of something.

[lujanit]

Well at least Thailand is the hub of something.

The Hub of All Talk and no Walk

[DocN]

A cancer that erodes morality and wellbeing

...yet about half of the population thinks it is "okay", if they themselves benefit from it!

[Baloo22]

Every country and society has people that will succumb to temptation and engage in corrupt practices. The fight against corruption is a never ending fight. A good start would be to open up the government and society to public view. Let the sun shine in! Just a few actions that would help immensely:

Step 1: Reform the Libel/Slander laws so that they cannot be used as a club against news reporting and as cover for corrupt practices.

Step 2: Enact "press shield" laws protecting a free press from government interference and police intimidation. This (and Step 1) will allow and encourage aggressive investigative journalism.

Step 3: Enact "Open Governance" laws that force government meetings to be open to the public and allow the press and private citizens to gain access to government records and documents. Limit the restrictions of the public to these records to a minimum and provide penalties to public officials that deny the citizen's rights to these records.

Step 4: Enact "Whistle blower" laws that protect and encourage citizens to report government corrupt practices.

[123thaibourbon]

88th / 176 = tang glang or the Middle Path. reminded of the 1990 Freedom from Fear speech by 'The Lady' of Burma. She explained the 5 levels of 'corruption'. The main problem/result is poverty. This is why the majority redshirts will not tolerate much longer the disparity their children face. the Eye of the Day aka Da Wan will shine through given the freedom for remote provinces to access the www & satellite feeds & whatever else comes down the Path! NHK TV News just did a report yesterday about 'Yang-kok'. Burma should avoid the Thai Model. use Malaysia or Washington concensus perhaps..

Edited June 6, 2013 by 123thaibourbon

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

Every country and society has people that will succumb to temptation and engage in corrupt practices. The fight against corruption is a never ending fight. A good start would be to open up the government and society to public view. Let the sun shine in! Just a few actions that would help immensely:

Step 1: Reform the Libel/Slander laws so that they cannot be used as a club against news reporting and as cover for corrupt practices.

Step 2: Enact "press shield" laws protecting a free press from government interference and police intimidation. This (and Step 1) will allow and encourage aggressive investigative journalism.

Step 3: Enact "Open Governance" laws that force government meetings to be open to the public and allow the press and private citizens to gain access to government records and documents. Limit the restrictions of the public to these records to a minimum and provide penalties to public officials that deny the citizen's rights to these records.

Step 4: Enact "Whistle blower" laws that protect and encourage citizens to report government corrupt practices.

how about a separate independent judicial system that allows individuals and groups to sue the govt to force them to enforce the law?

[slapout]

The secret to any 'whistle blower' (snitch) reward is to make it big enough, that it makes the paltry sums they have received as a part of the corrupt system, look like a tip at the local noodle shop.

If those reported/convicted (those giving and receiving), lose all of their assets to the state, the whistle blower gets a vast monetary reward from the specific incident, the public comes out ahead, the whistle blower is in 'hog heaven' and your on the road to reform of a corrupt system.

Of course this requires passage of statutes, enforcement, and following penality rules by those entities which make up/comprise what is loosely called "Thai Demoracy', and they are on the receiving end of the bulk of the monies, which are being diverted from their intended use.

The one positive thing this type of system has is that humans can learn from other peoples experience, where as in the non reasoning animal world they have to expiernce the shock treatment, individually.

[Pib]

Corruption is one of the leading industries in Thailand....good growth year over year.

[tomross46]

Corruption in politics, isn't is part of the job description for a politician any where to be corrupt. An honest politician is an oxymoron.

Edited June 6, 2013 by tomross46

[chooka]

Yep OK we'll look into that. So who saw the match on T.V last night, the blues rose to the occasion.

[Mampara]

blah blah blah

Why so rude? don't you think what is being mentioned is the truth, don't you think that we are getting tiered of this criminal act.

Do you know that in China corruption is viewed so seriously that it is considered as a capital crime and if found guilty the usual sentence is death?

[winstonc]

mampara,why do you say that,you know its cheap talk,if your so concerned march on parliament and voice your concerns,we promise to be right behind you,,,,,

[Thai at Heart]

Who in Thailand of any position thinks it really causes any damage? In fact who in Thailand really understands the external costs of corruption? I go with maybe 5% of the population. They are trying to teach people it is bad, immoral, illegal, but in reality, I don't think most Thai's really grasp how damaging it is.

If they did, there would be literally thousands of reported cases every week.

Edited June 6, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[jaltsc]

If you truly want to be considered a legitimate and respectable news organization, then give specific facts about corrupt acts, the people, businesses and agencies committing those acts, and what is or what is not being done to address the corruption. Otherwise, why not just complain about the weather?

[Lancelot]

Not to defend corruption but could you imagine being an honest cop in Thailand? It would be difficult to survive on your salary, yoru wife would be nagging you "Sergeant Somchai's wife has a new car, why don't I have one!" your fellow cops would treat you as a pariah and could even get you killed...

Despite all the nationalist BS, Thais are loyal first to their families and that means "taking care" by what ever means necessary...

[cup-O-coffee]

God, this is boring.

As a newspaper, go undercover and expose the corruption that is so obvious in this society.

Don't wanna risk your life or license to expose these people? Then stop writing such futile articles .

Action and not words is what is needed.

They could do this, of course, but then it would be a conflict of interest.... erm... oops!

[thaicbr]

Not to defend corruption but could you imagine being an honest cop in Thailand? It would be difficult to survive on your salary, yoru wife would be nagging you "Sergeant Somchai's wife has a new car, why don't I have one!" your fellow cops would treat you as a pariah and could even get you killed...

Despite all the nationalist BS, Thais are loyal first to their families and that means "taking care" by what ever means necessary...

You can easily be an honest cop here AND earn extra money for doing it. It just involves working harder. A Thai cop gets 60% of any ticket written. They also get % bonuses from financial crimes.

But this entails waiting for tickets to be paid etc....guess which is easier and faster

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE Q6

[thinkingofhow]

Corruption breeds poverty. Look around you.

[jalansanitwong]

Is there any point to this story ?

Everyone knows that every aspect of Thai society from dawn to dusk has been corrupted.

You can even sneak in European cars without paying tax.. Everyone can be bought.

[Joe Mamma]

Posted Today, 10:46

kurnell, on 06 Jun 2013 - 06:21, said:

blah blah blah

Why so rude? don't you think what is being mentioned is the truth, don't you think that we are getting tiered of this criminal act.

Do you know that in China corruption is viewed so seriously that it is considered as a capital crime and if found guilty the usual sentence is death?

mampara,why do you say that,you know its cheap talk,if your so concerned march on parliament and voice your concerns,we promise to be right behind you,,,,,

Now I say blah blah blah!

[Joe Mamma]

I am tired of turning a blind eye. It's only bending rules? Right?

Let's see what else we can conjure up justify corruption.

[pisico]

A cancer that erodes morality and wellbeing

...yet about half of the population thinks it is "okay", if they themselves benefit from it!

Farang can't understand Thainess.

[Payboy]

Posted Today, 10:46

kurnell, on 06 Jun 2013 - 06:21, said:

blah blah blah

Why so rude? don't you think what is being mentioned is the truth, don't you think that we are getting tiered of this criminal act.

Do you know that in China corruption is viewed so seriously that it is considered as a capital crime and if found guilty the usual sentence is death?

mampara,why do you say that,you know its cheap talk,if your so concerned march on parliament and voice your concerns,we promise to be right behind you,,,,,

Now I say blah blah blah!

Yada, yada, yada, if I may add to that.

[kurnell]

Posted Today, 10:46

kurnell, on 06 Jun 2013 - 06:21, said:

blah blah blah

Why so rude? don't you think what is being mentioned is the truth, don't you think that we are getting tiered of this criminal act.

Do you know that in China corruption is viewed so seriously that it is considered as a capital crime and if found guilty the usual sentence is death?

mampara,why do you say that,you know its cheap talk,if your so concerned march on parliament and voice your concerns,we promise to be right behind you,,,,,

Now I say blah blah blah!

Exactly. Nothing will ever change. You can bank on that. Never, ever, ever.