Academics call for corruption as Thai national agenda focus

[Lite Beer]

Academics call for corruption as Thai national agenda focus
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Aug 30 -- Noticing that the problem of corruption has become widespread in Thailand, well-known academics on Saturday urged the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) amend the law, aimed at plugging loopholes which pave the way for malpractices, and also to make it a national agenda concern.

Woothisarn Tanchai, deputy secretary-general of King Prajadhipok’s Institute, presiding at the opening of an anti-corruption seminar, said the problem has been a long-term issue in Thai society and the situation is becoming more worrisome.

“Two out of five Thais have given bribes in the past year," Mr Woothisarn warned. "This reflects that society sees corruption as a normal practice, downgrading Thailand’s transparency.”

The problem of corruption should be listed as a national agenda priority, he said, adding that Thai society ought to oppose and “map out measures to punish corruptors” and simultaneously support those who are honest as in some other countries.

"The country’s leader should be a good model for the people," Mr Woothisarn said. "It [is] a positive signal that the current Thai leader (Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha) has spoken out against corruption."

Meanwhile, Thawilwadee Bureekul, Director of the Research and Development Office at King Prajadhipok’s Institute, along with a number of academics there, presented a report prepared by Berlin-based Global Corruption Barometer issued last year which said Thai police were the most corrupted followed by political parties and the practice had impacted the country’s credibility, especially regarding the economy.

Ms Thawilwadee and academics proposed that a law should be issued in Thailand to protect informants and witnesses on malpractice, aimed at encouraging people to disclose them to the society. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-04-30

[scorecard]

Let's hope there is a solid push:

- For severe punishment, including: automatic jail, automatic huge fines, automatic confiscation of ill gotten gains, cancellation of pension benefits & forbidden to every play any role whatever in politics and forbidden from any form of government or quasi government position and forbidden from being involved in any way whatever in trade with any government agency etc. And shaming, full page ads in newspapers, facebook pages etc..

- Instant dismissal, not 'transferred to an inactive post'.

- Whistle blower legislation.

- Very frequent mention re the evils of corruption by the country's leaders who have credibility and are seen as clean, including frequent mention of real cases and the amount of funds involved plus a list of item which equals the funds STOLEN, e.g. education facilities, hospitals / medical care, many forms of infrastructure which help to spread capability and opportunity, welfare for the aged, etc

at least.

[DrLom]

"Woothisarn Tanchai, deputy secretary-general of King Prajadhipok’s Institute, presiding at the opening of an anti-corruption seminar, said the problem has been a long-term issue in Thai society and the situation is becoming more worrisome.

Two out of five Thais have given bribes in the past year," Mr Woothisarn warned. "This reflects that society sees corruption as a normal practice, downgrading Thailand’s transparency."

And how many did you accept, Mr. Professor, at your university, over the years? Two faced suck!

[DrLom]

Let's hope there is a solid push:

- For severe punishment, including: automatic jail, automatic huge fines, automatic confiscation of ill gotten gains, cancellation of pension benefits & forbidden to every play any role whatever in politics and forbidden from any form of government or quasi government position and forbidden from being involved in any way whatever in trade with any government agency etc. And shaming, full page ads in newspapers, facebook pages etc..

- Instant dismissal, not 'transferred to an inactive post'.

- Whistle blower legislation.

- Very frequent mention re the evils of corruption by the country's leaders who have credibility and are seen as clean, including frequent mention of real cases and the amount of funds involved plus a list of item which equals the funds STOLEN, e.g. education facilities, hospitals / medical care, many forms of infrastructure which help to spread capability and opportunity, welfare for the aged, etc

at least.

Yes, but SC, THERE'S one thing missing all along this path. It was postulated, or at least offered a few weeks back as a good idea, that members of the Junta, at the top, reveal their assets now, so as not to receive accusations in the future. How many came forward and displayed their assets, without fears, or fear of questioning at least?

Answer: Zero!

I'm all for the changes, but when the word 'transparency' is involved, it still seems to be a ghost word to those at the top. Wouldn't you agree?

[NongKhaiKid]

In many countries the word ' academic ' would engender some form of respect but highly questionable here at times.

I'll start with the clown recently who called for drivers to stop at pedestrian crossings which does take a superior intellect to figure out.

Then we have those in charge of educational institutes who allow students in who would not otherwise be admitted except for certain ' considerations ' including the' usual ', which family they come from etc. Who allow everyone to graduate so the pass rate reflects favourably on the ' quality ' of the education at the establishment and who deny they know anything about violent, dangerous or degrading hazing.

I'm sure members can come up with much more.

[phil2]

How about cleaning up the scams in some unis first?

[seajae]

easily settled, make it law that anyone coercing financial benefits or personal favors in the performance of their position are jailed and have their assets seized. I can guarantee that it will cause a major slowdown in corruption when those committing it actually have to be jailed and lose money.

Too many people want govt positions purely to enhance their bank accounts, if the opposite occurs no one will willingly do so, money and face are too important here for them to lose either. Until anyone can report people and have it followed up and charges laid it will continue.

[Thai at Heart]

All personal income tax records to be made public.

Now that would put the cat among the pigeons

[pisico]

Let's hope there is a solid push:

- For severe punishment, including: automatic jail, automatic huge fines, automatic confiscation of ill gotten gains, cancellation of pension benefits & forbidden to every play any role whatever in politics and forbidden from any form of government or quasi government position and forbidden from being involved in any way whatever in trade with any government agency etc. And shaming, full page ads in newspapers, facebook pages etc..

- Instant dismissal, not 'transferred to an inactive post'.

- Whistle blower legislation.

- Very frequent mention re the evils of corruption by the country's leaders who have credibility and are seen as clean, including frequent mention of real cases and the amount of funds involved plus a list of item which equals the funds STOLEN, e.g. education facilities, hospitals / medical care, many forms of infrastructure which help to spread capability and opportunity, welfare for the aged, etc

at least.

Your spot on suggestions run against the grain of Thainess.

The feudal system ruling this society cannot undergo, any time soon, a process of probity in all areas of governance (from the cop on the beat to a MP or even the PM) because patronage is an enduring, ingrained and primordial staple of social relations in Thailand, since time immemorial, that also affect all strata of government.

Cops are not selected after undergoing rigorous training at a police academy. By an large those posts are the result of paying political debts and/or favoritism. The salary is low but it is tacitly understood that the fringe benefits (protection, bogus infractions, allowing vendors to obstruct thoroughfares for a daily "fine", are the real source of income. That is one of the endemic roots of the problem. Want to have a work permit processed quickly? Pay the middle man in the Ministry. Want to have your goods go through customs in a timely manner? Pay the suggested expediting "extra fee". Want to start a company in Thailand? Apply the same treatment and rules to each situation.

The reason transgressors are place in inactive posts is because the hand that doles the punishment may in future (as it has happened) be on the receiving end one day.

Thailand is a country with a superficial modern appearance (a very Thai thing: image and face uber ales) and a population with a Third World mentality and archaic rules of behaviour.

There are positive and delightful aspects about this country but: it is what it is.

[hanuman2543]

Get rid of the defamation laws so that offenders and offences can be made public , preferable by investigative journalists.

Edited August 30, 2014 by hanuman2543

[scorecard]

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phil2, on 30 Aug 2014 - 15:26, said:

How about cleaning up the scams in some unis first?

How about tackling all forms of corruption, all at the same time.

Edited August 30, 2014 by scorecard

[surangw]

they will change their tune if someone looks into the pay to graduate system.

[cmiuc]

academics...is referring to the educational system right?

in most countries education is the priority. In Thailand it has had more of a role of being the parents too, as they did all the discplining, telling what the students should do, parents cannot intervene in the educational system..

therefore it is the foremost corruptive society in thailand... there has to be about 50-60% of the workforce being teachers... so they have their corrupt practices well in hand and it is permitted openly with no cause for complaint...if someone does complain... nobody listens... other than to hate and get rid of that person... then we have the police system that works with the education system...where we know also is very corrupt... so with these two major systems amongst the people... how can corruption ever be stopped... they have each other's back. unless the PM makes new rules for government teachers, to be fired and lose retirement you will only then see a starting change.

It would curl your toes what i have seen in schools regarding corruption... it is truly disgusting.

Thai teachers have lost all respect for this institution and therefor the foreigner teachers have no support or back up like there use to be in this country... now its to pretend to get teachers then scam the parents, then say all the exuses in the world... the MOE should be ashamed to be in existence...they are the leaders promoting this corruption... how many teachers have seen when the MOE comes to a school, nothing could be more sacred then these nobodies coming to a school to judge, check the books, audits, visit and listen to classroom instructions--- oh, do they do that? NO! because the schools roll out the red carpet and have a very santimonious ceremony and everyone talks so big and important... then, ah, money under the table, gifts beyond belief, so everything slides...

it disgusts me very much... i just hang in there as many do... hoping some day the honest teachers can teach with honesty and sincerity that these children need so bad...not to be taught on how skilled we can become at cheating and lazy...

so I hope this PM, ok given he is military, understand how correction, discipline is needed not only to maintain a good unit in military, but also a good country with standards and honest practices... so be it this place becomes a police state...

of course this is all my humble opinion because i love living here... i just want the best the children of the future.

[razer]

No one realizes the cost of corruption isn't money. Corruption drains funds from infrastructure, education and in general, quality of life for the average citizen. Lots of papers written on the subject.

Glad to see the police issue is out of the closet.

Like I said, if there is enough evidence, name and shame and go after the bank accounts domestic and foreign. OH YES ... tap into those foreign bank accounts and see the money come back to Thailand..