If you want to fight graft, don't offer the bribe: Thai editorial

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
If you want to fight graft, don't offer the bribe
The Nation

Corruption is increasing everywhere and people are becoming ever more cynical about it, but the only way to end it is by not being complicit in it

BANGKOK: -- A worldwide survey by Transparency International, an organisation that campaigns against corruption, has revealed some dismal and disappointing facts about attitudes towards this scourge. The survey, entitled "Global Corruption Barometer 2013", was conducted among 114,000 people in 107 countries. The Berlin-based watchdog bills it as the world's largest public-opinion survey on the subject.

The results average out to more than one person in two thinking corruption has worsened over the last two years, and more than one in four reported having paid a bribe in the last 12 months when interacting with officials from key public institutions and services. Also, more than one in two people think their government is largely or entirely run by groups acting in their own interests rather than for the benefit of citizens.

"It is the actors that are supposed to be running countries and upholding the rule of law that are seen as the most corrupt, judged to be abusing their positions of power and acting in their own interests rather than for the citizens they are there to represent and serve," Transparency International concludes.

Thailand is among the majority of countries whose respondents said they think corruption has increased locally, according to the survey results released on Tuesday.

The Kingdom is among 51 countries that identify political parties as the most corrupt institutions, and among 36 countries that identify the police as the most corrupt institution. However, 18 per cent of some 1,000 respondents in Thailand also admitted to having paid bribes in the past year.

Regarding perceptions on corruption, Thai respondents gave political parties and the police a score of 4 on a scale of 1 designating not at all corrupt, and 5 designating extremely corrupt. Thai public officials and civil servants got a score of 3.7, while the Parliament and legislature scored 3.4.

These findings simply confirm most people's existing beliefs about corruption in this country. While many denounce graft as a social evil or a cancer, an equal number support it by bribing officials when they feel it is helpful or "necessary".

However, the survey also offers some hope. Most respondents in this global survey said they believed they could help fight corruption by taking action against it. Nearly 9 out of 10 people surveyed said they would act against corruption, and two-thirds of those who had been asked to pay a bribe had refused.

Thailand is in a group of countries in which 61 to 80 per cent of respondents agree to the statement that, "Ordinary people can make a difference in the fight against corruption." As many as 92 per cent of Thai respondents (compared to a global average of 87) indicate a willingness to get involved in anti-corruption activities such as signing a petition, joining a protest or campaigning through the social media.

Many people agree there is a desperate need to fight corruption in our country. But it is doubtful this battle can be won without the cooperation of those who offer bribes, and of the corrupt politicians and law enforcers - who are in great numbers in this country - who take them.

We are witnessing ever-increasing dissatisfaction with corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and officials. People have taken to the streets, taken legal action and campaigned through the social media against graft in Thailand. But that is not enough as long as there are still so many people who prefer to bribe their way ahead of others.

We, as ordinary citizens, can contribute to the fight against corruption by stopping the practice of giving bribes.

-- The Nation 2013-07-12

[NongKhaiKid]

Don't offer the bribe and don't expect the contract, official document even a parking space.

Don't expect your child to get into the school you want for them or to get good grades wanted even if not actually attained.

When they " graduate " from university they don't expect to get certain jobs unless they pay tea money and so on, and on and on.

More fine words and that's about all as it all starts at the top and what about the general public attitude anyway ?

[theblether]

It's all down to the Rule of Law, until there are serious price to be paid for corruption then nothing will happen.

[aTomsLife]

It's all down to the Rule of Law, until there are serious price to be paid for corruption then nothing will happen.

Therein lies the catch, of course: at present, the 'rule of law' is to be upheld by those benefiting most from its corruption. And it's often the most corrupt who have worked their way to a status of being untouchable.

Maybe things will change one day, but a revolution may be required first.

[Jasun]

Surely not accepting the bribe would be more effective.

[chainarong]

You only have to look at the leadership ,community leaders, that will tell you about the rest of the country, have a look at the Ministers in this government, their reputations, their past history in helping the community, why should the people care ,when they have shonky leaders with their noses in the trough , all through Thailand's history, the junta days, corruption at it's highest level, bring on the 2tn Bht loan.

[jaltsc]

"Maybe things will change one day, but a revolution may be required first".

Catch 22 here..The people you want to revolt, don't even vote unless they are "bribed"..In order to get enough people to revolt, they would have to be paid ...and the only ones rich enough to pay them are the ones on top of the bribery pyramid. Don't hold your breath...It ain't gonna happen in this place.

[laurentbkk]

I wonder if corruption will be included in the "Thainess" program ...

[Payboy]

In another press release - If you want to fight prostitution or other bad things don't visit our go-go bars, brothels, illegal casinos and vice dens. But, yeah we'll still keep them open for those who don't mind vice or the income.

[pisico]

It's all down to the Rule of Law, until there are serious price to be paid for corruption then nothing will happen.

In a country ruled for eons by hierarchy, seniority, clans and traditions that have at its core money, the Rule of Law is an alien concept, a foreign degradation of Thainess.

[monty1412]

Canute rebuking the waves yet again.... Thai answer to fighting corruption seems to be just come up with a load of rhetoric and thats all we can do.

You can hardly expect anyone in this society to turn away from corruption when a convicted criminal in exile is issued a new passport by the government and also given visa's to various countries..... the fight against corruption starts from the top down and when you see the government embroiled in these blatant activities then dont expect the rest of the population to suddenly straighten up.

Ive said it before and will say it again.. Thailand would do well to let Singapore govern it and fix allot of the ills...

[smutcakes]

It's all down to the Rule of Law, until there are serious price to be paid for corruption then nothing will happen.

Don't worry, according to TVF the army are encouraged to take over and people expect them to enforce it.

[MaxYakov]

We, as ordinary citizens, can contribute to the fight against corruption by stopping the practice of giving bribes.

By ordinary citizens' mutual agreement, all payment of bribes will cease on April 1^st 2014

Edited July 12, 2013 by MaxYakov

[NomadJoe]

I always find it hilarious when people complain about the corruption yet bribes the police when stopped. They complain that the police are greedy when they prefer to pay the cop 200B rather than pay the 500B to the guy at the window. Who is the greedy one again?

[mrfill]

I always find it hilarious when people complain about the corruption yet bribes the police when stopped. They complain that the police are greedy when they prefer to pay the cop 200B rather than pay the 500B to the guy at the window. Who is the greedy one again?

Give me 1000Bt and I'll tell you.....

[jamhar]

If you want to fight graft, don't offer the bribe

Easy to say, Hard to do.

If you have a business, you have to stay open, and be competitive.

If you're trying to catch a plane, you dont have time.

But yes, you do have to start somewhere.

[johnlandy]

Don't offer the bribe and don't expect the contract, official document even a parking space.

Don't expect your child to get into the school you want for them or to get good grades wanted even if not actually attained.

When they " graduate " from university they don't expect to get certain jobs unless they pay tea money and so on, and on and on.

More fine words and that's about all as it all starts at the top and what about the general public attitude anyway ?

Words!! they are so good at talking but of course absolutely no action

[Mudcrab]

You only have to look at the leadership ,community leaders, that will tell you about the rest of the country, have a look at the Ministers in this government, their reputations, their past history in helping the community, why should the people care ,when they have shonky leaders with their noses in the trough , all through Thailand's history, the junta days, corruption at it's highest level, bring on the 2tn Bht loan.

All through Thailands history.........please expand on this.

[Mudcrab]

It's all down to the Rule of Law, until there are serious price to be paid for corruption then nothing will happen.

In a country ruled for eons by hierarchy, seniority, clans and traditions that have at its core money, the Rule of Law is an alien concept, a foreign degradation of Thainess.

gee sounds like the UK until relatively recently

[Mudcrab]

Canute rebuking the waves yet again.... Thai answer to fighting corruption seems to be just come up with a load of rhetoric and thats all we can do.

You can hardly expect anyone in this society to turn away from corruption when a convicted criminal in exile is issued a new passport by the government and also given visa's to various countries..... the fight against corruption starts from the top down and when you see the government embroiled in these blatant activities then dont expect the rest of the population to suddenly straighten up.

Ive said it before and will say it again.. Thailand would do well to let Singapore govern it and fix allot of the ills...

Ahhh Singapore the land of a million robots.

[jpeg]

Don't offer the bribe and don't expect the contract, official document even a parking space.

Don't expect your child to get into the school you want for them or to get good grades wanted even if not actually attained.

When they " graduate " from university they don't expect to get certain jobs unless they pay tea money and so on, and on and on.

More fine words and that's about all as it all starts at the top and what about the general public attitude anyway ?

Again! These 'polls/articles' . Has any one of them, ever, actually told us how the question was formulated and offered to Joe/Somchai public? i.e. 'If you could bypass a visit to the local cop shop, entailing an inordinate waste of time, ending with your having to pay a couple of hundred baht more, would you opt for the lesser and faster 200 on the spot? 'You are able to bypass the ridiculously long wait for your one storey house to be granted a permit/five storey condo slung up, with a bung?'

Against (now this may be difficult for some folks to get their heads around - 'Your kid will not be able to enter the better school/pass tests, unless you pay us.' (Thus producing more of the same <deleted> we have an abundance already). 'Yes, we know the road needs fixing every year, but my brother/mate needs the money for next week's/month's/year's 'repair'. 'Yes, we are aware that this animal is an endangered species, but it looks cute hanging around the neck of some tourist, don't you agree?' Ad.In.Finitum.

Well? Has anyone thought to ask? Seriously? I'm sure I am not alone in being interested in the answers. I/We await, with breath abated.

[waza]

Bribes come in many forms, tipping is a type of bribe, or is it protection money? Do you tip so you can expect better service or tip so the waiter doesn't spit in your food or drink?

[pisico]

"Do not offer the bribe." Really?

You are driving at 30 kph on a street where the posted speed limit is 40 kph. A BIB stops you. He tells you that you were speeding. Before that made up infraction, what do you do?

The writer of this article can't deny his Thainess. No accountability is OK.

You are told that your work permit will take 3 to 4 months to come out but, if you pay an extra fee, it will be done in a week. The official is doing the Thai thing and if you agree to pay the extra fee, then you are the one perpetuating the problem.

One of the attitudes alien to Thais is the admission that there is something wrong with their country, traditions or people's behavior .

The idea Thai good Farang bad is engrained in their Phyche.

Therefore to offer the bribe is wrong. To lie, cheat and/or to coerce people to pay the bribe is OK because.... It's the Thai thing.

[timewilltell]

I can't see much happening in the way of change unless somehow forced from outside or the government pass a much stronger anti-corruption law with stiff penalties and even harsher punishment for those in government service. Even then, and with a zero tolerance campaign I think progress will be dreadfully slow. Other countries have done it so maybe there is hope for some morally incorruptible person up and coming through the political machine somewhere.

Of course the most important man could make it an issue which might encourage the public but even that is sadly unlikely.