Target the breeding ground of corruption: Thai editorial

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Target the breeding ground of corruption
The Nation

Reforms offer hope of a cure for our chronic disease - but only if they block self-serving politicians from high office

BANGKOK: -- Thailand suffered another blow when it slipped in the latest World Corruption Index (2013), scoring just 35 points out of 100 to rank 102 of 177 nations. Corruption is old news here, of course, but the plunge is worrying given that it indicates a steady increase in the number of graft cases.

In the previous ranking, based on 2012 figures, Thailand was 14 places higher up the list.

We are not in free-fall, but this is still a major slump for a country with a democratically elected government. Eyebrows rose further because communist China scored better than Thailand. If absolute power corrupts absolutely, how on earth can Thailand be more corrupt than China?

Has Thailand's democracy embraced graft and allowed it to flourish? The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) seems to think so. It reports a steady increase in corrupt practices over the past four or five years, especially in politics. This goes against the global trend. In most other democratic countries, corruption is on the decline.

The TDRI findings echo a January survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, which found that politicians are the major players in corruption, followed by state officials and then private firms. Together they create a vicious cycle, drawing others in. Our culture of corruption is now deeply rooted in both government agencies and local administrations.

The TDRI expressed hope that reforms will bring "cleaner" people into politics and help reduce the siphoning off of taxpayers' money.

Corruption has become a chronic disease for Thais, spreading unchecked despite being frequently diagnosed. We have to consider why the pathogen is so successful here. While most observers agree that politicians warrant a large share of the blame, social norms are the virus' breeding ground. "If I don't do it, others will," tends to be the thinking, an assumption that's infectious, spreading from the top down: "If those in power do it, why can't I?"

The lack of consequence is another motivation. The few in high office caught for graft simply demand to see the evidence, and the higher their position, the more arduous it is to pin them down. The accused turn defence into offence: "Why pick on me? It's a conspiracy against me." Faced with such angry counterclaims of victimisation, graft-busters often back down.

Seeing how easy it is to escape punishment, more people join the cycle. It's hardly surprising, then, that the number of cases is rising each year and that the graft-fighters are losing the battle. National Anti-Corruption Commission spokesman Wichai Mahakhun summed up the scope of the problem when he said that investigating all extant corruption cases could continue into his next life.

How many lives, we wonder, have been sacrificed to cover up corruption in Thailand? How many people suffer unknowingly as a result of graft? Yet there is some hope: at least the TDRI and UTCC have agreed on the central root of the problem, and it is politics. Now the reform process offers a potential antidote. If we can ensure that those in high office are honest, officials lower down in the pecking order would find it harder to get away with corruption.

If people are good, the health of the system becomes of secondary importance. If people are bad, no system can save us from their self-serving actions.


-- The Nation 2014-03-14

[noitom]

The Thai press is making corruption a lead story all of a sudden. What rock have they been hiding under? It's great that the Thai press finally got around to leading this issue. Now all they need is a few capable writers and editors.

[selftaopath]

Re: Corruption

Is Land of Scams (LOS) a lost cause? If there is no punishment there is no crime. Rule of Law is not something this country embraces hence it's unique form or "democracy." Where are the genuine moral/ethical leaders? Where?

[englishoak]

Target the breeding ground ? that'll be schools then.

[kurnell]

150 years minimum. Should coincide with the completion of the new airport.

[LomSak27]

_{Court rejects Hopewell's Bt12 bn claim against govt}

KESINEE TAENGKHIAO

THE NATION

_{Right there in todays paper - The Courts lead the way Hey lets fight corruption in the schools hehe}

[chrisinth]

I don't think there has been any increase in corruption as is indicated in the article, it is just that more attention has been drawn to the underlying trend in the country by the recent protests and the war of words between the two groups.

With the addition of the fishermen's plight, animal trafficking, etc being brought to the fore and associated with corruption, that'll do the point scoring no good at all.

Nothing will change by itself, but where do you start making the change? $64,000 question!

[inzman]

I think they would start with targeting the government.

[tomyummer]

Start in the schools. Demonize those corrupt leaders in society whether in government or business or the military or police. Education education education.

[arthurboy]

Before we all get too excited, I'd like to pose a couple of snap shot questions.

If you were in a position of absolute power and closely connected to those in a similar position, and this gave you carte blanche to do whatever you wanted, would you stop?

If you were skimming off money every month because of your shady activities - knowing that your 'connections' or position gave you protection from the law - , would you stop?

If you had to pay for your next position in the civil service - knowing that you would reap financial and other benefits in the future, would you say no?

If you were on the payroll of someone with power and influence and received a tidy sum every month, would you stop?

If you had to pay your child's school to ensure they got in or passed their exams, would you say no?

Would you take a moral and ethical stand and say no more to the insidious and cancerous influence of corruption and the Thai patronage system, knowing full well what the consequences might be?

The issue of corruption in Thailand is a moral and ethical minefield, and I don't think it's going to explode anytime soon.

Edited March 14, 2014 by arthurboy

[Pib]

I don't think there has been any increase in corruption as is indicated in the article, it is just that more attention has been drawn to the underlying trend in the country by the recent protests and the war of words between the two groups.

With the addition of the fishermen's plight, animal trafficking, etc being brought to the fore and associated with corruption, that'll do the point scoring no good at all.

Nothing will change by itself, but where do you start making the change? $64,000 question!

Sure it has increased just as the latest World Corruption Index stated. Articles everyday in the media about corrupt officials. Heck, even Yinluck is not taking any responsibility for the recent Constitutional Court rulings that have went against the govt for being unconstitutional (like tossing out the Bt2T borrowing bill that would have funded a decade of new-and-improved corruption)....she's blaming others for the wrongdoings. Corruption in Thailand has gotten worst.

BANGKOK: -- Thailand suffered another blow when it slipped in the latest World Corruption Index (2013), scoring just 35 points out of 100 to rank 102 of 177 nations. Corruption is old news here, of course, but the plunge is worrying given that it indicates a steady increase in the number of graft cases.

[expat888]

Start in the schools. Demonize those corrupt leaders in society whether in government or business or the military or police. Education education education.

You are absolutely correct. The culture is created in the minds of the students at school.

But will never happen, this MOE is worse than when the previous PM was in power. Not stagnate but going backwards.

[expat888]

"The lack of consequence is another motivation." True, true, and true.

"We are not in free-fall" Denial. Certainly is in free-fall

"Seeing how easy it is to escape punishment" see consequence above

[Tatsujin]

Target the breeding ground of corruption . . . Thailand itself, all of it, and everyone in it . . . because corruption, graft, "favors" etc are so ingrained within everyone nothing will be resolved very quickly, but at least the issue has been raised now and perhaps something good can come from it eventually.

[binjalin]

forget political 'colours' THIS is Thailand's disease

it's inbred in EVERY institution - perhaps if Thais practiced Buddhism it might help but education in ethics and morals is the foundation - but first and foremost is LAW

no one should be above the law but when Thais see kids killing people and then hiding abroad because of 'sickness' and getting away with murder where is the hope? start with a legal clean-out

[lostmebike]

Before we all get too excited, I'd like to pose a couple of snap shot questions.

If you were in a position of absolute power and closely connected to those in a similar position, and this gave you carte blanche to do whatever you wanted, would you stop?

If you were skimming off money every month because of your shady activities - knowing that your 'connections' or position gave you protection from the law - , would you stop?

If you had to pay for your next position in the civil service - knowing that you would reap financial and other benefits in the future, would you say no?

If you were on the payroll of someone with power and influence and received a tidy sum every month, would you stop?

If you had to pay your child's school to ensure they got in or passed their exams, would you say no?

Would you take a moral and ethical stand and say no more to the insidious and cancerous influence of corruption and the Thai patronage system, knowing full well what the consequences might be?

The issue of corruption in Thailand is a moral and ethical minefield, and I don't think it's going to explode anytime soon.

If I knew I could be held accountable for my actions, punished and made an example of, yes, I WOULD STOP!

But this is the whole problem, absolutely zero accountability.

[englishoak]

Before we all get too excited, I'd like to pose a couple of snap shot questions.

If you were in a position of absolute power and closely connected to those in a similar position, and this gave you carte blanche to do whatever you wanted, would you stop?

If you were skimming off money every month because of your shady activities - knowing that your 'connections' or position gave you protection from the law - , would you stop?

If you had to pay for your next position in the civil service - knowing that you would reap financial and other benefits in the future, would you say no?

If you were on the payroll of someone with power and influence and received a tidy sum every month, would you stop?

If you had to pay your child's school to ensure they got in or passed their exams, would you say no?

Would you take a moral and ethical stand and say no more to the insidious and cancerous influence of corruption and the Thai patronage system, knowing full well what the consequences might be?

The issue of corruption in Thailand is a moral and ethical minefield, and I don't think it's going to explode anytime soon.

Thats probably better phrased with "why or would they".... and its nope theres not a chance of them stopping, No more than bankers would refuse any bonuses when they lose money or anyone refuse a payrise or free benefits....its endemic, perfectly natural, done without thought and most westerners just dont get it. They like it that way, all of them to some degree, they dont like it when others do it but ahhhh when its about themselves theres always an excuse to turn that blind eye... its automatic.

Isnt anything going to change for a long . lonnnnnnng time on that score here, no matter what the indignant and talking heads say... its only not ok when its someone else, I dont know anyone here, not one, who dosnt engage in corruption at some level either in business or in daily life... not one and that includes me and all the rest here. Its impossible not to.

Waits for the saints to come marching in .......

Edited March 14, 2014 by englishoak

[Lupatria]

"but only if they block self-serving politicians from high office'

This requires a person of the caliber of Pol Pot, to make sure the job gets done.

But it won't happen here under the protecting shield of moral standards called "thainess" a cheap excuse for anything that goes wrong and a subject farrangs are incapable to understand anyway.

[bigbamboo]

Before we all get too excited, I'd like to pose a couple of snap shot questions.

If you were in a position of absolute power and closely connected to those in a similar position, and this gave you carte blanche to do whatever you wanted, would you stop?

If you were skimming off money every month because of your shady activities - knowing that your 'connections' or position gave you protection from the law - , would you stop?

If you had to pay for your next position in the civil service - knowing that you would reap financial and other benefits in the future, would you say no?

If you were on the payroll of someone with power and influence and received a tidy sum every month, would you stop?

If you had to pay your child's school to ensure they got in or passed their exams, would you say no?

Would you take a moral and ethical stand and say no more to the insidious and cancerous influence of corruption and the Thai patronage system, knowing full well what the consequences might be?

The issue of corruption in Thailand is a moral and ethical minefield, and I don't think it's going to explode anytime soon.

Depends if I were a real Buddhist.

Or just a Thai fake.

[Bkungbank]

Since Dubai regime taking over corruption was the way to control the whole system by giving sweets away but the disease follow are huge, someone more concern about cutting the forest to gain profits but doesn't care what destruction on the planet and he too have to depend the forest because the oxygen, same as corruptions it 's turn back to hurt this country the the whole system.

[ginjag]

Target the breeding ground ? that'll be schools then.

Add to that the family home, from toddler to school--------------learning right and wrong. problem not many homes care -or do not know themselves.

[tomyummer]

Start in the schools. Demonize those corrupt leaders in society whether in government or business or the military or police. Education education education.

You are absolutely correct. The culture is created in the minds of the students at school.

But will never happen, this MOE is worse than when the previous PM was in power. Not stagnate but going backwards.

The truth hurts.

[englishoak]

Target the breeding ground ? that'll be schools then.

Add to that the family home, from toddler to school--------------learning right and wrong. problem not many homes care -or do not know themselves.

Thats why I said schools, they wont get it at home for both the reasons you mentioned, its going to take at least a generation or two to fix. Probably more.... Education education education... not the degree type just the right and moral type.

[ginjag]

Target the breeding ground ? that'll be schools then.

Add to that the family home, from toddler to school--------------learning right and wrong. problem not many homes care -or do not know themselves.

Thats why I said schools, they wont get it at home for both the reasons you mentioned, its going to take at least a generation or two to fix. Probably more.... Education education education... not the degree type just the right and moral type.

I read into your thinking, my post was to agree with you and it's other purpose was to also inform the not to know posters.

I have an idea also that some schools have no idea. If the pass rate in all levels of schooling HAS to be 100% what hope have they of getting the right teachers.

If you employ a failed scholar --but they have the paper to say they have passed. ??? no hope .

[englishoak]

Target the breeding ground ? that'll be schools then.

Add to that the family home, from toddler to school--------------learning right and wrong. problem not many homes care -or do not know themselves.

Thats why I said schools, they wont get it at home for both the reasons you mentioned, its going to take at least a generation or two to fix. Probably more.... Education education education... not the degree type just the right and moral type.

I read into your thinking, my post was to agree with you and it's other purpose was to also inform the not to know posters.

I have an idea also that some schools have no idea. If the pass rate in all levels of schooling HAS to be 100% what hope have they of getting the right teachers.

If you employ a failed scholar --but they have the paper to say they have passed. ??? no hope .

Your absolutely right of course, if there was one thing just one i could change and reform utterly here it would be education. Everything else stems from that in the longrun. But on the face of it (excuse the pun )the last thing anyone will do is tackle that one head on and fully or properly... Having not perfect but well informed, critcal thinking and moral children when the adults are anything but...when the kids start asking obvious but embarrassing questions and realising they have little or no one to look up to = massive loss of face. Sad but i believe true.

Edited March 14, 2014 by englishoak

[ABCer]

Brilliant! The blah-blah and The Nation rant is on.

The Breeding ground of corruption!

This reminds me another Great Nation always kicking up slogans - "Forward!"...

... but never explaining where is the front...

BTW, the level of corruption in both countries is

- staggering

- ingrained for centuries

- practiced with total impunity

- is based on a similar education brainwash.

Any guesses which countries I'm talking about?

[northernjohn]

I don't think there has been any increase in corruption as is indicated in the article, it is just that more attention has been drawn to the underlying trend in the country by the recent protests and the war of words between the two groups.

With the addition of the fishermen's plight, animal trafficking, etc being brought to the fore and associated with corruption, that'll do the point scoring no good at all.

Nothing will change by itself, but where do you start making the change? $64,000 question!

You and the article are both wrong. the article says it only got 35 out of 100 that was the 2012 figures the 2013 figure was 33 out of 100. That is a 2% increase in corruption.

So you see you and the article are wrong. Not surprising for the Nation to be wrong and you probably never got to see the real figures.

[northernjohn]

Start in the schools. Demonize those corrupt leaders in society whether in government or business or the military or police. Education education education.

Well education is the answer but to get them to change their ways it will have to come from further up the chain.

The educators along with being poor educators are not about to shoot the goose that lay's the golden egg.

[northernjohn]

Before we all get too excited, I'd like to pose a couple of snap shot questions.

If you were in a position of absolute power and closely connected to those in a similar position, and this gave you carte blanche to do whatever you wanted, would you stop?

If you were skimming off money every month because of your shady activities - knowing that your 'connections' or position gave you protection from the law - , would you stop?

If you had to pay for your next position in the civil service - knowing that you would reap financial and other benefits in the future, would you say no?

If you were on the payroll of someone with power and influence and received a tidy sum every month, would you stop?

If you had to pay your child's school to ensure they got in or passed their exams, would you say no?

Would you take a moral and ethical stand and say no more to the insidious and cancerous influence of corruption and the Thai patronage system, knowing full well what the consequences might be?

The issue of corruption in Thailand is a moral and ethical minefield, and I don't think it's going to explode anytime soon.

Good questions. Some yes some no. I put a high value on education.

Your first two are non applicable I wouldn't be doing any thing wrong there.

You are talking completely different levels and circumstances. I believe in starting at the head and working down. You don't kill the snake by cutting of part of it's tail you kill it by cutting of it's head.

"If you were in a position of absolute power and closely connected to those in a similar position, and this gave you carte blanche to do whatever you wanted, would you stop?

If you were skimming off money every month because of your shady activities - knowing that your 'connections' or position gave you protection from the law , would you stop?'

Edited March 14, 2014 by northernjohn

[ABCer]

When both Gog and Magog are powerless, - bring one Demagogue!

Or Pedagogue?...

I wonder where will He come from?

And who was His Teacher?

And what He will teach?

And who will he teach?