No sincerity in tackling corruption in Thailand: ACT

[webfact]

'No sincerity in tackling corruption'
The Nation


The Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand holds an event

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is entering an era of massive corruption, as the authorities have no sincerity in tackling the problem, while business people remain willing to pay bribes and even the media now lacks the courage to dig deep, the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT) said yesterday, at a press conference launching its "Act Now" campaign.

The government, despite declaring its intention to combat corruption, has made little efforts, especially in high-budget schemes like rice pledging, said ACT chairman Pramon Sutivong, at an event at Siam Paragon to launch the "Act Now" campaign.

Business people are selfish and willing to bribe officials or politicians to secure high-cost government projects, he said, adding, "Honest officials have been abused or demoralised by the 'sales and purchases' of high-profile positions." He said even the media lacked the courage to hound corrupt officials and politicians, as those who were professional had been frequently abused, either legally, or secretly through indirect methods.

"There are no concrete measures adopted by the authorities in combating corruption, and we would like to call on the present government to study many expensive projects already carried out successfully, with anti-corruption measures put in good effect," said Pramon.

He said ACT staffers had jointly probed several Industry Ministry projects granting licenses, with the ministry's cooperation, or taken part in biddings for government projects, or attended government seminars on large-scale projects, including the water and flood management scheme worth Bt350 billion.

Thai Rice Exporters Association of Thailand honorary president Chukiat Opaswong said the corruption associated with the rice-pledging scheme remained and would continue. He said he wished to see a change in the government's scheme, from the current pledging to measures that would directly benefit the farmers.

Many eminent guests and participants attended yesterday's launch, including senior citizen Prawase Wasi, former prime minister Anand Panyarachun, and Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt.


-- The Nation 2013-09-07

[Curt1591]

"Thailand is entering an era of massive corruption"

Thailand is, and has always been, massive corruption. A poll found that the majority of Thais are good with it, as long as the benefit.

[Thait Spot]

Choc dee

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Chittychangchang]

No sincerity unless there's a backhander.

CCC

[Redhawk]

It should be renamed from " the land of smile" to "the land of dreamers"!

[arthurboy]

Corruption is a way of life in Thailand, is completely institutionalised and exists at every level of society.

An intransigent feudalism and class system, carefully managed and nurtured - through fear or reward - by those in power and those with influence, ensures its continuation.

The irresistible lure of untold wealth and power (as a reward unto itself) and an absence of moral duty or concern by the godfathers of corruption, their lackeys and henchmen, ensures its continuation.

It is good to see that groups of concerned citizens are taking their protest to the streets and placing their concerns firmly in the public eye.

To be truly effective, the subject of corruption should not be politicized, nor become a matter of focus for those with vested interests.

It doesn't matter who is responsible for this scam or that; corruption is not just about money or the perpetuation of power.

Corruption is theft of the present and of the future.

[Yunla]

Corruption has always been a problem in SEA and South America and Africa, especially, it is not just Thailand. However, Thailand has fallen behind on battling corruption due to the "Shinawatra years." Yes we all know that bribes always existed all the way down to the street level, but the problem with having Thaksin/Yingluck in the big chair, is that the only way to tackle corruption is from the top-down. You have to fix the corruption in Government and the higher echelons of police, first, before you even approach business and individual corruption lower down. And it was during the Thaksin/Yingluck years that other nations in the region were making steps to battle corruption, and Thailand wasn't. The reason, imho, is that Thaksin is in the employ of powers that seek to destabilise this nation, and macro-corruption at state level is one of the tools in the box for that purpose, it promotes resentment and social instability. The election of Yingluck was the single biggest setback for Thailand in a century, because we had finally got rid of Thaksin only to have him (and his offshore masters) return via proxy, thus preventing any progress being made on corruption, the economy, industry, exports, because these are not things Thaksin is paid to improve.

[kurnell]

Ironically corruption is really only a problem for the poor (red shirts note next election)

[Mampara]

Since when have the people been sincere in anything, excepting when it suits their back pocket.

[worgeordie]

Nothing will change,because the people who could make

strict laws(like China,bullet in the head),are the people

who are most likely benefiting from all this corruption,

and as the majority of the population seem ok with it,

cannot see any changes in my life time.

Its a pity really,as one day its all going to end in misery,

and the poorest ,as always will be the ones that will end

up suffering the most.

regards Worgeordie

[Hobiecat]

Corruption is so deeply ingrained in Thai society the only hope for change is going to have to start at the grass root's level starting with educating children. So for a start the teachers and school administrators who except bonus tuition fees from parents for enrolment or passing grades have to be removed or sacked and the whole Thai education system would need to be over haled. The power of education is the only way forward. Of course the police would have to be next on the chopping block!

[johnnie20110]

Are they saying Yingluck has "No Sincerity"?
Call out the DSI for another defamation case as she pledged to fight corruption with much sincerity:


"Thailand would have a much better future if corruption, its biggest threat, is rooted out"

Yingluck was speaking at a conference to unveil her government's anti-corruption strategy. More than 600 participants, including Cabinet members, heads of agencies, provincial governors and leading figures from the private sector, turned out in full force.

[NongKhaiKid]

Nothing will change,because the people who could make

strict laws(like China,bullet in the head),are the people

who are most likely benefiting from all this corruption,

and as the majority of the population seem ok with it,

cannot see any changes in my life time.

Its a pity really,as one day its all going to end in misery,

and the poorest ,as always will be the ones that will end

up suffering the most.

regards Worgeordie

Spot on as like so many things in Thailand whose who could effect changes will not because it would affect them, family and cronies etc. As has been said so many times the majority of people are ok with corruption as long as it's spread around so there's no real national will.

It's going to be hard to start educting children when those who will do the " educating " are in it up to their necks and there won't be many parents who will change their ways of paying for their children to " pass " exams, get into uni when they don't have the grades and so on.

[JoeThePoster]

Sincerely not making any effort - that should count.

[Halion]

Corruption is a way of life in Thailand, is completely institutionalised and exists at every level of society.

An intransigent feudalism and class system, carefully managed and nurtured - through fear or reward - by those in power and those with influence, ensures its continuation.

The irresistible lure of untold wealth and power (as a reward unto itself) and an absence of moral duty or concern by the godfathers of corruption, their lackeys and henchmen, ensures its continuation.

It is good to see that groups of concerned citizens are taking their protest to the streets and placing their concerns firmly in the public eye.

To be truly effective, the subject of corruption should not be politicized, nor become a matter of focus for those with vested interests.

It doesn't matter who is responsible for this scam or that; corruption is not just about money or the perpetuation of power.

Corruption is theft of the present and of the future

Excellent post, corruption in Thailand is an effect nurtured from the highly dysfunctional culture and unless dramatic changes are made in this area ,nothing will change.

[SOTIRIOS]

...the example set by this government.....

[spidermike007]

The primary issue, is that there is little to zero interest in fighting corruption here. Nearly every level of government, and law enforcement has given up the fight, or not bothered waging a fight in the first place. When they do, they are thwarted at every level, by nearly every official or person involved. Though Thailand has made alot of noise about integrating itself into the world community, and especially ASEAN, to date they have defied many, many charters they have signed, especially the 6th charter, which I believe was signed back in 2009. I am told there are about 20 different international government bodies that are going to monitor Thailand's participation, and conduct once the upcoming ASEAN integration takes place in 2015. Many are skeptical, for good reason. Thailand has a very long history of making promises to the international community, and breaking them, when it comes to integration, easing of customs restriction, the import market, etc. To date, they have remained fabulously insular, and in some respects resemble China, when it comes to keeping their own markets closed to outside competition. The term protectionism comes to mind.

Getting back to the corruption issue, it is incredibly frustrating for many of us to see the level with which it affects this nation. But, so far, there is no Anna Hazare, or other such heroes who have stood up, risked life and limb, and been willing to carry the torch. I have seen no fight. No game. No resistance. No battle. No courage. No fortitude. No conviction. No arrests. Nobody jailed. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. So, you are seeking something that is simply not there. There may be some talk from time to time, from goombahs like Chalerm, but no action, ever! Does the "anti-corruption" agency ever fight corruption? No. What do they do? They focus on election fraud. So, you are simply engaging in an act that, if it produces anything, will end in deportation, denial of a visa, scorn, violence, or bodily harm to you or your family. But, rest assured, it will not result in anybody being disciplined, losing their job, fined, or jailed. At the lowest to the highest level of government here, there is zero interest in that. SImply too much money being made, and no interest in upsetting the apple cart.

[DocN]

Was this in the "News"- section...?

[drdoom6996]

It should be renamed from " the land of smile" to "the land of dreamers"!

This is a land pf "we pan to", we urge to", "we should do". There is no dreaming. They need a headline and don't want to do any work or cut themselves out of the money train. There are a select few that want to do the right thing. Anand is one of those people.

[marell]

Are they saying Yingluck has "No Sincerity"?

Call out the DSI for another defamation case as she pledged to fight corruption with much sincerity:

"Thailand would have a much better future if corruption, its biggest threat, is rooted out"

Yingluck was speaking at a conference to unveil her government's anti-corruption strategy. More than 600 participants, including Cabinet members, heads of agencies, provincial governors and leading figures from the private sector, turned out in full force.

Really cool "Stop Corruption" sign procured for only 95 million Baht.

Edited September 7, 2013 by marell

[Baerboxer]

Are they saying Yingluck has "No Sincerity"?

Call out the DSI for another defamation case as she pledged to fight corruption with much sincerity:

"Thailand would have a much better future if corruption, its biggest threat, is rooted out"

Yingluck was speaking at a conference to unveil her government's anti-corruption strategy. More than 600 participants, including Cabinet members, heads of agencies, provincial governors and leading figures from the private sector, turned out in full force.

I'm sure the PM/DM will be making a full report to parliament showing the progress her wonderful initiative is making in rooting out corruption at all levels.

Probably about the same time she answers the Ombudsman's old outstanding question regarding an illegally issued passport.

She's got the hang of politics now - travel, shop, photo ops, make lots of rousing speeches and blindingly obvious statements, and avoid any accountability or awkward questions.

[bigbamboo]

There has always been corruption in Thailand, especially in politics.

It's just that now they've got it down to a T.

[Dag Ekeberg]

Please respond to this post if you’d prefer there was no way to pay yourself out of trouble in Thailand.

[overherebc]

No sincerity unless there's a backhander.

CCC

Can't remember who said it but it goes on the lines of-- Once you can fake sincerity you've got it made.

[bigbamboo]

Please respond to this post if you’d prefer there was no way to pay yourself out of trouble in Thailand.

There had to be a holier than thou poster!

Well, your holiness, there's corruption and there's corruption.

Just like there's a clip round the ear and grievous bodily harm.

[TackyToo]

Without drastic steps as harsh and painful punishment (confiscation of all ill-gotten assets plus compensation and long jail terms) nothing will ever change. Corruption in Thailand is accepted as part of the culture and those who have the power to stop it are profiting the most. I stop here as this issue is not even worth to think or talk about it anymore as it will never change...

[uptheos]

I wonder what attracts so many foreigners to this den of corruption?

[Dag Ekeberg]

Please respond to this post if you’d prefer there was no way to pay yourself out of trouble in Thailand.

There had to be a holier than thou poster!

Well, your holiness, there's corruption and there's corruption.

Just like there's a clip round the ear and grievous bodily harm.

I’d expected no replies, so thank you Bigbamboo. Perhaps you prefer the Western style corruption, where the currency is not money but political connections?

[billd766]

Are they saying Yingluck has "No Sincerity"?

Call out the DSI for another defamation case as she pledged to fight corruption with much sincerity:

"Thailand would have a much better future if corruption, its biggest threat, is rooted out"

Yingluck was speaking at a conference to unveil her government's anti-corruption strategy. More than 600 participants, including Cabinet members, heads of agencies, provincial governors and leading figures from the private sector, turned out in full force.

Really cool "Stop Corruption" sign procured for only 95 million Baht.

However copies can be cheaply obtained. Call Somchai on xxxxxxxxxx

Don't forget to give the policeman his "tea" money on the way out.

Edited September 7, 2013 by billd766

[billd766]

I wonder what attracts so many foreigners to this den of corruption?

For me, it is my wife, our son and her family.

How about you?