Thai editorial: Civil servants and uncivil temptations

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Civil servants and uncivil temptations
The Nation

Government officials have a crucial role to play in Thailand's reform process, as the NCPO is well aware

BANGKOK: -- Politicians come and go, as do military juntas. But civil servants stay in place regardless of political change. They keep the mechanisms of state functioning even as breakdowns occur elsewhere. So it comes as no surprise that the National Council for Peace and Order has turned its focus on government officials in an effort to gain their support.

 

Junta chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has ordered a raise in their salaries, prompting some to call it an attempt to "buy support". The junta can just shrug off the criticism. If the generals are to push ahead with their reform agenda, it is vital they get bureaucrats on their side.

In attempting to woo civil servants, the NCPO is merely repeating the actions of past governments that used it to rescue themselves from crises or simply to bring stability in times of trouble. Under its plan, the junta has ordered an 8 per cent pay raise for all bureaucrats. For some two million junior government officials around the country, the increase will come in the form of a temporary living allowance. The increase in remuneration will require a budget of between Bt20 billion and Bt30 billion, rolled out by April next year.

It is understandable that the NCPO wants their support for reform, but raising the performance level of bureaucrats will require more than just better pay.

The NCPO obviously attaches great importance to the role of government officials. After taking power in May it quickly ordered permanent secretaries to take control of their ministries in a bid to ensure the bureaucracy continued to serve the public efficiently. The move also paved the way for the interim government and upcoming national reform.

Now, the NCPO is speeding up its efforts to woo government bureaucrats - and for good reason. First, they constitute a large section of the population and are spread out across the country. Giving them pay rises will foster a national "feel-good" factor. The effect will likely be similar to that enjoyed by those who benefited from the quick-fix rice-pledging scheme.

Second, bureaucrats encouraged to feel positive toward the NCPO and its reform plans can influence the sentiment of the public at large. Third, bureaucrats will play a more direct role in national reforms, presenting information and suggestions to the junta and the National Legislative Assembly and then implementing the resulting plans. Last but not least, the junta will need their support if it is to withstand opposition that will grow once martial law is lifted.

In short, getting government officials on its side is vital if the junta is to ensure a smooth path to reform. What the NCPO is doing now shows that it has carefully planned every step of the process.

But even without reforms, an efficient government bureaucracy is necessary for the country to progress. Increasing their income is just one way to improve bureaucrats' performance. Officials should also be provided with improved technology, proper training and other support.

The more knowledgeable and capable our bureaucrats become, the quicker Thailand will advance. Good officials are undeniably a great asset for the country. In the past we have witnessed honest officials help unmask corruption. Some have risked their careers in exposing crucial information. Others have taken to the street to protest against unjust policies.

The NCPO and the next administration need the support of government officials at this juncture, but the officials must stick to their professional principles and not be simply "bought". The country can only survive and prosper if they put the nation's interests before their own. The powers-that-be might need them more than ever right now, but Thailand relies on them always. Only when our bureaucrats perform their duties with efficiency, honesty and integrity can our country be said to rest on solid foundations.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Civil-servants-and-uncivil-temptations-30240798.html

[thenation]2014-08-13[/thenation]

[NongKhaiKid]

Just a thought but it will take more than a salary increase to persuade some civil servants away from the habits of a lifetime.  A pay hike of a couple of percentage points pales compared with the cash on offer from other ' activities and services '.

 

The current government,  any government,  has a problem trying to introduce a sea change in attitudes and ethics as money trumps everything here.

As with the question the other day about rogue cops the government has to make it clear there's no easy passage for errant civil servants with zero tolerance, no ' inactive posts ' and where appropriate no hesitation to press criminal charges as well as dismissal and loss of pension.

[chainarong]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

 

Just a thought but it will take more than a salary increase to persuade some civil servants away from the habits of a lifetime.  A pay hike of a couple of percentage points pales compared with the cash on offer from other ' activities and services '.

 

The current government,  any government,  has a problem trying to introduce a sea change in attitudes and ethics as money trumps everything here.

As with the question the other day about rogue cops the government has to make it clear there's no easy passage for errant civil servants with zero tolerance, no ' inactive posts ' and where appropriate no hesitation to press criminal charges as well as dismissal and loss of pension.

 

The key word is Ethic's, very few and far between at all levels in Thai society NKK, when it comes down to money.

[Lupatria]

Civil Servants are the back bone of any government. Give them a decent salary, some benefits like special interest loans, an affordable health insurance for the entire family, a pension high enough to pay expenses, benefits for their kid’s education. However, don’t forget to strip them of all the goodies and benefits when they fail on duty or are convicted for corruption. There should be no ‘inactive posts’ and no chance for a second entry through the back door…

[simple1]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

 

Just a thought but it will take more than a salary increase to persuade some civil servants away from the habits of a lifetime.  A pay hike of a couple of percentage points pales compared with the cash on offer from other ' activities and services '.

 

The current government,  any government,  has a problem trying to introduce a sea change in attitudes and ethics as money trumps everything here.

As with the question the other day about rogue cops the government has to make it clear there's no easy passage for errant civil servants with zero tolerance, no ' inactive posts ' and where appropriate no hesitation to press criminal charges as well as dismissal and loss of pension.

 

The key word is Ethic's, very few and far between at all levels in Thai society NKK, when it comes down to money.

 

From last years' corruption index for Thailand.

 

Although the total score for Thailand for absence of corruption is a 0.41 (1 being the best), which is already rather poor, the specific subcategory '2.4 Government officials in the legislative branch do not use public office for private gain' scored a 0.06. Of all the countries looked at, only Ukraine managed to score lower than Thailand.

 

http://worldjusticep...ountry/thailand

 

 

[ginjag]

Typical UK government department would have a cabinet minister at the helm, within that department are splinter departments each headed by an Higher executive officer HEO, EO,AO, and finally administration assistant AO. under the HEO rarely would anyone be involved in corruption.

 

Heads of these departments and the minister, would only be the ones that were in positions to get involved.

 

Local government is where most of the national corruption takes place, City-Town-Head village. Money allocated to their departments from the county for finance-highways-health etc is easily syphoned off. To my mind here lies the biggest swindles.

 

High government department national enterprises , rail-bus-Air-highways-health-water-etc  cabinet ministers are responsible under their guidance, If you have bogus cabinet minister, his understudy and all under him will most likely to be shifty to say the least.

 

Selection of sound minded honest ministers are the priority, under a strong watchful eye of the PM.

It is the top people that have to be scrutinized -the other will have to conform, so now the army have that control the way to put a stop to the corruption is to single out the involvers at  top management.   I think they have made big inroads, and these are scaring the ones they don't touch into either running scared or halt their greedy ways.

 

More and more people are now not afraid to Squeal, which is a good thing, putting the sh##s up many a person with fingers in the till.

 

There is so much more that I have not touched on, so I apologize for things that are equally important and relevant.

 

Prayuth is near the right path to clean up....The countries main corruption is within the police force --I think the replacing the top police with ones that are clean, but then it has to be carried on to each county force, then to each town force-----big headache here.

Edited August 13, 2014 by ginjag

[Robby nz]

The NACC also does what they call a Transparency Index which rates Govt departments as to their corruption level.

 

Don't have the 2013 version but in 2012 the department that got the lowest score was the Public Sector Anti-corruption Commission.

 

That's right the department that is supposed to police Govt department corruption was found to be the most corrupt.

[laocowboy2]

 

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

 

Just a thought but it will take more than a salary increase to persuade some civil servants away from the habits of a lifetime.  A pay hike of a couple of percentage points pales compared with the cash on offer from other ' activities and services '.

 

The current government,  any government,  has a problem trying to introduce a sea change in attitudes and ethics as money trumps everything here.

As with the question the other day about rogue cops the government has to make it clear there's no easy passage for errant civil servants with zero tolerance, no ' inactive posts ' and where appropriate no hesitation to press criminal charges as well as dismissal and loss of pension.

 

The key word is Ethic's, very few and far between at all levels in Thai society NKK, when it comes down to money.

 

From last years' corruption index for Thailand.

 

Although the total score for Thailand for absence of corruption is a 0.41 (1 being the best), which is already rather poor, the specific subcategory '2.4 Government officials in the legislative branch do not use public office for private gain' scored a 0.06. Of all the countries looked at, only Ukraine managed to score lower than Thailand.

 

http://worldjusticep...ountry/thailand

 

 

 

 I can believe it. Could not access the site though - it is log in only.

[simple1]

 

 

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

 

Just a thought but it will take more than a salary increase to persuade some civil servants away from the habits of a lifetime.  A pay hike of a couple of percentage points pales compared with the cash on offer from other ' activities and services '.

 

The current government,  any government,  has a problem trying to introduce a sea change in attitudes and ethics as money trumps everything here.

As with the question the other day about rogue cops the government has to make it clear there's no easy passage for errant civil servants with zero tolerance, no ' inactive posts ' and where appropriate no hesitation to press criminal charges as well as dismissal and loss of pension.

 

The key word is Ethic's, very few and far between at all levels in Thai society NKK, when it comes down to money.

 

From last years' corruption index for Thailand.

 

Although the total score for Thailand for absence of corruption is a 0.41 (1 being the best), which is already rather poor, the specific subcategory '2.4 Government officials in the legislative branch do not use public office for private gain' scored a 0.06. Of all the countries looked at, only Ukraine managed to score lower than Thailand.

 

http://worldjusticep...ountry/thailand

 

 

 

 I can believe it. Could not access the site though - it is log in only.

 

 

Try a search in BKK Post site, believe it was reported by them
 

[belg]

I, for one, am curious how many billionaire (ex) generals there are in this country and how did they get so incredible rich on a small governement salary

[ginjag]

I, for one, am curious how many billionaire (ex) generals there are in this country and how did they get so incredible rich on a small governement salary

 

Go ask them -but take your toiletries, and some underwear.

[The Deerhunter]

 

I, for one, am curious how many billionaire (ex) generals there are in this country and how did they get so incredible rich on a small governement salary

 

Go ask them -but take your toiletries, and some underwear.

 

Um.  You are allowed to take nothing in but the clothes you wear.  When they were rounding up people when the coup started you could not even take your own toothbrush.  Literally!   I doubt that it has changed.  Some of these anti-coup posters would do well to remember this.  Very brave in their anonymity. It would be interesting what would happen if our TVF anonymity suddenly evaporated.  Think before you post.

[ginjag]

 

 

I, for one, am curious how many billionaire (ex) generals there are in this country and how did they get so incredible rich on a small governement salary

 

Go ask them -but take your toiletries, and some underwear.

 

Um.  You are allowed to take nothing in but the clothes you wear.  When they were rounding up people when the coup started you could not even take your own toothbrush.  Literally!   I doubt that it has changed.  Some of these anti-coup posters would do well to remember this.  Very brave in their anonymity. It would be interesting what would happen if our TVF anonymity suddenly evaporated.  Think before you post.

 

 

Freedom is really here. Like anywhere authorities will tolerate most things.  Problems start when organized groups object in more than normal ways.

When you have a few foxes in the chicken run you have to sort them out.  Many complaints about the army are OTT but there may be valid arguments about others.   It's about persons with an organized agenda that is the threat world over,  rebels/religion/ etc.