Bribespot: Fighting corruption in Thailand one click at a time

[webfact]

Bribespot: Fighting Corruption in Thailand One Click at a Time
Steve Herman

BANGKOK — Reporting corruption, at least unofficially, in Thailand is becoming easier with a new Thai version of an international smartphone application.

As it is in many developing countries, bribery is ubiquitous in Thailand. A Transparency International survey found that one-fourth of those in the country acknowledged making a payoff at least once a year.

But the government's Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) said it only received about 4,000 complaints annually through its telephone hotline, Website and walk-in center.

Now people in Thailand have a more convenient way to informally report corruption.

The local version of Bribespot, created by a Lithuanian living in Germany, allows anyone with access to a smartphone or computer to pinpoint where, to whom and how much they paid a bribe. The reports are then published and mapped online.

PACC deputy secretary general Prayong Preeyachitt sees such innovations as Blogspot as helping to combat corruption.

“It is a good use of technology to help solve the corruption problem. But I am worried about our office getting overwhelmed by the number of claims it could generate. However the application is very useful for our job and the prime minister endorses this project,” he said.

Commission officials said they were willing to disseminate information through their nine regional offices to let the public know about this new method of detailing corruption.

"I had to pay a policeman because he said my vehicle's number plate was too dirty to read clearly. This application may be very useful because we can be anonymous and we do not know to whom we should report such incidents," said one office worker.

"I have already heard about this application. I think it will be useful," said one young woman.

"Social networks can be valuable for this problem. But this application needs more functions to provide sufficient evidence, such as audio or a video clip," a salesman said.

But some, including a local newspaper, are skeptical about Bribespot's potential effectiveness here, saying while graft is talked about a lot in Thailand, it is generally tolerated by the public. Such payments result in reduced fines from police officers and faster service at government offices.

Source: http://www.voanews.com/content/bribespot-fighting-corruption-in-thailand-one-click-at-a-time/1748417.html

-- Voice of America 2013-09-19

[NongKhaiKid]

It's all very well making the reporting of corruption easier but that's no guarantee, in fact very far from it, that any action will be taken.

In all the time i've been here the anti-corruption song has been loud and clear ad nauseam and that's about as far as it goes.

Like so many other issues there just isn't the will to do anything really positive and there's no prizes for guessing why.

[lujanit]

Just because x number of people lodge a complaint it doesn't naturally follow that all the complaints will be published as the article suggests. I can foresee 'lack of sufficient information/proof' will be a major reason given if, in fact, any reason is given at all. Google Bribespot and read their guidelines for publishing reports. As far as Thailand is concerned there is way too much money and face involved for the 'authorities' to actually do anything meaningful about corruption.

[uty6543]

It would be good to hear from the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) of the 4,000 complaints received how many convictions were there. My guess the only ones convicted were those that did not share their takings with their superiors

Edited September 18, 2013 by uty6543

[noitom]

Leave it to the Thais to solve the problem of rampant corruption. They make news of a simple "notification" system implementation that is an optional download for end users. However, they make no mention of the disposition of the 4,000 cases per year already reported. When we see news about the indictments and convictions relative to the 4,000 cases per year and the backlog, then and only then will the outside world begin to contemplate whether Thais are even serious about the corruption culture.

[jaltsc]

"As far as Thailand is concerned there is way too much money and face involved for the 'authorities' to actually do anything meaningful about corruption."

Unfortunately this system will not work until all the computers receiving the complaints eliminate the "DELETE" key.

[webfact]

related:
A site to fight corruption
Budsarakham Sinlapalavan

photo by Tatchadon Panyaphanitkul

BANGKOK: -- Acting Auditor General Prapee Angkinandana, standing centre, tries out the Office of the Auditor-General's website "OAG Anti-Corruption", launched as a channel for people to provide information about graft as well as check out related data.

The website, www.oaganticorruption.com, is also friendly for the visually impaired.


-- The Nation 2013-09-19

[retell]

now the choice for English please ?

i am visually impaired to read Thai

[cloghead]

the dude on the left looks to be a bit worried that this new program thing-a-ma-jig might actually work...

[bigbamboo]

The low numbers may have something to do with the fact that by reporting corruption you are likely to be treading on some sen yai's toes, which is never a good idea in Thailand.

[Thai at Heart]

But I am worried about our office getting overwhelmed by the number of claims it could generate.

Absurdly classic statement. We are worried either

A. There is too much corruption

Or

B. We will be extremely busy.

Lolol

[Thai at Heart]

related:

A site to fight corruption

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan

photo by Tatchadon Panyaphanitkul

BANGKOK: -- Acting Auditor General Prapee Angkinandana, standing centre, tries out the Office of the Auditor-General's website "OAG Anti-Corruption", launched as a channel for people to provide information about graft as well as check out related data.

The website, www.oaganticorruption.com, is also friendly for the visually impaired.

-- The Nation 2013-09-19

Moments later the pop up appears

"You have failed the Microsoft genuine authentication test".....

[AleG]

“It is a good use of technology to help solve the corruption problem. But I am worried about our office getting overwhelmed by the number of claims it could generate. However the application is very useful for our job and the prime minister endorses this project,” he said.

Of course the make-believe PM would, it only concerns very small fish in the corruption system and so gives the impression of actually helping to combat the endemic culture of corruption in the country. The big fish at the top are not going to be bothered by this.

"Today at a secret meeting at a 5 star hotel I paid a 5 Billion kickback to minister XXX to be awarded the project to build YYY" won't be showing up in this application.

[belg]

bribehole... what happens to policemen caught in the act of robbing, stealing, extorting, dealing, gambling ? they got suspended with pay or they are transferred....

so nothing will ever change

[spidermike007]

This is a first step. One of many thousands of steps required to bring Thailand into the 21st century, and allow it to join the civilized world, when it comes to this issue of corruption. But, as I stated in a previous post:

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.

[PoorSucker]

now the choice for English please ?

i am visually impaired to read Thai

Change to English in upper right drop-down box.

https://th.bribespot.com/

[jonnyscot]

If I'm reading it correctly, it seems that the person who is paying the bribe in many cases is the instigator is expected to log the info,, somehow I can't see them logging info that they gave some corrupt official a pay off which would potentially incriminate them also

[drdoom6996]

Yep, you report it and they ignore it. It's what city and country officials do. Just another headline to allow you to think something is being done.

[jpeg]

Leave it to the Thais to solve the problem of rampant corruption. They make news of a simple "notification" system implementation that is an optional download for end users. However, they make no mention of the disposition of the 4,000 cases per year already reported. When we see news about the indictments and convictions relative to the 4,000 cases per year and the backlog, then and only then will the outside world begin to contemplate whether Thais are even serious about the corruption culture.

Agree with the thrust of your post. However. Again, in the land of 'if it wasn't seen it didn't happen' together with the hamstring that are the ridiculous defamation laws here, it's little wonder the Thais would even bother to report corruption. They know it'll cost them time/money, possibly a bullet and keep their heads down. So who can blame them?

Some serious prosecutions a la China would go a very long way to reverse this mindset.

Edited September 19, 2013 by jpeg

[timewilltell]

First off it might not be effective but if it takes off maybe it will add to the groundswell of reaction against corruption and a way to show how rampant it is. At least it is a start.

[lee b]

But do we report corruption to corrupt people? This is the case !

[Emdog]

I think it would be difficult to fight something (corruption in this case) if you are already busy hugging it.

[RogueLeader]

Considering that offering or paying bribes is a illegal, isn't this essentially an app that allows you to broadcast the fact that you've committed a crime?