Assets declaration would help fill the trust vacuum: Thai opinion

[webfact]

Streetwise
Assets declaration would help fill the trust vacuum
Achara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's new government has arrived on the scene exactly 10 months since the last round of political conflict started late last year.

No matter who steered it into being, the new government has attracted criticism, as always.

The first criticism involves the number of ministerial posts given to generals. Of the 33 posts, 12 have gone to top brass, headed by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, also chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). Another has been occupied by a police general.

The second criticism concerns the qualifications of the new ministers.

Given that their training is in security matters rather than public administration, we could be forgiven for having doubts about how these generals will perform as ministers,

However, there are few fears over whether Deputy Prime Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula is qualified for the job. He was once tasked with overseeing economic affairs. And as the former secretary-general of the Board of Investment, Chakramon Phasukavanich should do well as industry minister. Experience gathered while he was chairman of CIMB Thai Bank should also help when it comes to decisions on policies to aid financial strengthening of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Likewise there are no worries for Finance Minister Sommai Phasee. Before serving as deputy finance minister in Surayud Chulanont's government, he was deputy permanent secretary at the Finance Ministry from 1998-2004. He knows well how to jolt the economy back to life using fiscal tools.

Commerce Minister General Chatchai Sarikalya, another deputy NCPO chief, should also do well, thanks to support from his deputy - Apiradi Tantraporn, a former bureaucrat in the ministry.

But the choice of Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, chairperson of Toshiba Thailand, has raised eyebrows. Still, everyone is hoping that her experience as chief of the electronics giant will serve her well in promoting Thailand's tourism and sports.

Though economics guru Narongchai Akrasanee has been a fixture on the list of potential Cabinet members over the years, it was a big surprise to seem appointed as the energy minister. In my 25 years reporting on the economy, the only energy issue I can recall Narongchai ever mentioning was global oil prices and their impact on the macro-economic outlook.

It is also a big surprise to see Akhom Tempittayapaisit, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Board, on the ministers list. Like Prayuth, who will hold his civil service post up until his retirement next month, Akhom will retain the top post at NESDB while serving this government as the deputy transport minister. Likewise, PM's Office Minister ML Panadda Diskul will hold on to his deputy permanent secretary title at the Interior Ministry.

In the bigger picture, Akhom is apparently positioned to support Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong, a deputy chief of NCPO and also transport minister, in implementing the repeatedly revised infrastructure investment plans. In an era when the generals in power are deemed to have good intentions, the NESDB may have less work to do in screening government projects.

It will indeed be interesting to see how good governance fits into the picture.

For the first time in decades, Thailand is under complete military control. Like democratic countries, we still have separate administrative and legislative branches. But the checks and balances are no longer to be seen, given that the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) members were handpicked by NCPO and over half are generals. Meanwhile, the administration is being headed by the NCPO chief.

Suppose that the NCPO push forward a proposal like negative income tax, which is being debated at ministerial level. The government would then put the draft law to the NLA and the latter would pass the law accordingly.

Approved by the NCPO, the mega-project infrastructure scheme would also be implemented without any resistance. It needs to be noted here that among seven "economic" ministries allocated a total of Bt327 billion for the 2015 fiscal year, the Transport Ministry has won the biggest chunk, at Bt112.38 billion - which represents a 12 per cent increase from the previous year.

The only tool to monitor the ministers lies in the legal requirement that they disclose their assets.

Shortly after the Cabinet was announced, Isra News Agency wrapped up a piece on the assets of six former ministers. Newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan reportedly sat on assets of Bt79 million in 2012, against Bt56.9 million in 2008 when he became deputy prime minister in the Abhisit government.

Last month, National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) secretary-general Sansern Poljiak confirmed that Cabinet members, MPs and senators were required by law to disclose their assets and liabilities. He later added that NLA members were deemed political officeholders under the 2014 provisional charter. But he also said that the law did not require NCPO members to disclose assets.

A recent poll of citizens showing the majority are in favour of asset declarations by NCPO members has drawn no response from the junta. It remains to be seen whether this will change now that NCPO members are holding ministerial posts.

In the absence of an international-standard system of checks and balances, only time will tell if the generals are in earnest. Not all Thais can wait, though.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Assets-declaration-would-help-fill-the-trust-vacuu-30242293.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-02

[timewilltell]

In the interest of transparency it is essential that they all declare assets. Any resistance to this will fuel mistrust and indicate they are hiding something.

Of all the issues affecting Thailand corruption is the element and has been highlighted as such by the General. It is inconceivable that members of the NCPO think they can exempt themselves whilst maintaining the trust of the people. In any case why give criticizers ammunition to fight them with.

Investigation of assets for all in government, both local and national should be an awesome tool with which to expose graft and should be used to its fullest extent.

Perhaps this is the first test of the integrity of the new regime? Let's see the integrity of everyone exposed with this question.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

[siampolee]

No exceptions all must reveal their current assets and upon leaving office again those assets must be declared to show honesty and openness .Follow up by the establishment of ''Blind Trusts'' as used in the U.K. by politicians (although they were misused, see quote 2)

A blind trust is a trust in which the fiduciaries, namely the trustees or those who have been given power of attorney, have full discretion over the assets, and the trust beneficiaries have no knowledge of the holdings of the trust and no right to intervene in their handling. Blind trusts are generally used when a settlor (sometimes called a trustor or donor) wishes to keep the beneficiary unaware of the specific assets in the trust, such as to avoid conflict of interest between the beneficiary and the investments.

Politicians or others in sensitive positions often place their personal assets (including investment income) into blind trusts, to avoid public scrutiny and accusations of conflicts of interest when they direct government funds to the private sector. A blind trust is often used with those who have come across a fortune within a short period of time (e.g. an inheritance, or a multimillion lottery) in order to keep their identity anonymous to the public.

British party funding In the United Kingdom, while the Labour Party was in opposition in 1992–97, its front bench received funding from blind trusts. One set up to fund its campaign in the 1997 general election received donations from wealthy supporters, some of whose names leaked out, and some of whom received life peerages into the House of Lords after Labour won the election. The Neill Committee's report in 1998 found the use of blind trusts to be "inconsistent with the principles of openness and accountability" and recommended that such trusts be "prohibited as a mechanism for funding political parties, party leaders or their offices, Members of Parliament or parliamentary candidates" This was incorporated into the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 as section 57 "Return of donations where donor unidentifiable".

[NongKhaiKid]

Exactly what will any assets declaration encompass ? Personal assets only or those over which there may be control such as spouse, family, domestic staff, domestic pets etc.?

Will they then be prepared to take an oath before the Buddha statue that politicians famously avoid ?

[kurnell]

Same old, same old. New government same old corruption from rich criminals that have stolen their money and want more.

[chainarong]

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

In the interest of transparency it is essential that they all declare assets. Any resistance to this will fuel mistrust and indicate they are hiding something.

Of all the issues affecting Thailand corruption is the element and has been highlighted as such by the General. It is inconceivable that members of the NCPO think they can exempt themselves whilst maintaining the trust of the people. In any case why give criticizers ammunition to fight them with.

Investigation of assets for all in government, both local and national should be an awesome tool with which to expose graft and should be used to its fullest extent.

Perhaps this is the first test of the integrity of the new regime? Let's see the integrity of everyone exposed with this question.


Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

Lets see how they handle themselves over this small inconvenience and if the Buffaloe , pet tiger or the maid are shareholders in companies or family assets, lets see that declared as well.

[Chao Lao Beach]

Are "Trust" used in Thailand as an identity to hold assets like in some western countries ?

[Bender]

nobody remember this general who died few years ago, and his only legitimate heiress was his mia noi.... She got 100 millions

Everybody was wondering how a general with a "normal salary"can accumulate so much money

[Thakkar]

For a government talking tough on corruption, it's astounding that this is even a debate. You can't fight corruption without transparency, and transparency begins with asset declarations.

Without step one, there is no step two.

T

[Suradit69]

Exactly what will any assets declaration encompass ? Personal assets only or those over which there may be control such as spouse, family, domestic staff, domestic pets etc.?

Will they then be prepared to take an oath before the Buddha statue that politicians famously avoid ?

" take an oath before the Buddha statue "

In Pattaya they'd have to act quickly before the Buddha statue on Khao Pratnumnak is obscured by condos.

[NongKhaiKid]

Exactly what will any assets declaration encompass ? Personal assets only or those over which there may be control such as spouse, family, domestic staff, domestic pets etc.?

Will they then be prepared to take an oath before the Buddha statue that politicians famously avoid ?

" take an oath before the Buddha statue "

In Pattaya they'd have to act quickly before the Buddha statue on Khao Pratnumnak is obscured by condos.

maybe condos being built by companies they own or at least have an interest in.

[Alwyn]

Nepotism is in every aspect and area of Thai society and the army is no different

Edited September 2, 2014 by Alwyn

[chotthee]

Asset declaration is a must for civilian government as they are mostly (not all) very corrupted, and cam to power to rob Thai tax payer.

On the other hand, it would be a waste of time if we need to get military person to declare their asset, as they don't have much anyway, due to the low income army pay. Plus, these military personnel did not volunteer to be in the government. They have to scarify their day job to help to the country back together again. All army personnel are trained to be discipline, honest, and only follow good and corrupt free orders anyway. So nothing to look here.

The public is better to concentrate how to recover their tax payer back from corrupt ex-politician like Thaksin, Somchai, Yingluck etc. No point wasting time on Prayuth asset declaration.

[Chris Lawrence]

I just don't get it why are people still questioning the General. The General dosent answer questions, he is the General, the boss of bosses?

[belg]

is it because you were head or chairman or CEO of a big business that you are qualified at all ? expertise lay in the hands of experts that inform their supervisors & managers, who then go bragg about "their" work and "their" ideas to the upper management ...

[rubl]

" It needs to be noted here that among seven "economic" ministries allocated a total of Bt327 billion for the 2015 fiscal year, the Transport Ministry has won the biggest chunk, at Bt112.38 billion - which represents a 12 per cent increase from the previous year."

It must be said though that it would seem some expenses normally in the National Budget were moved out and into the special 2.4 trillion Baht Intrastructure budget. The by now ex Minister of Transport even said that if the special budget wasn't approved some road work couldn't be done or not in the same pace.

With those costs moved back a 12% increase shouldn't surprise much. IMHO

[fab4]

Last month, National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) secretary-general Sansern Poljiak confirmed that Cabinet members, MPs and senators were required by law to disclose their assets and liabilities. He later added that NLA members were deemed political officeholders under the 2014 provisional charter. But he also said that the law did not require NCPO members to disclose assets.

A recent poll of citizens showing the majority are in favour of asset declarations by NCPO members has drawn no response from the junta. It remains to be seen whether this will change now that NCPO members are holding ministerial posts.

In the absence of an international-standard system of checks and balances, only time will tell if the generals are in earnest.

Monday 8th September was the deadline day for all NLA members to declare their assets and liabilities.

Anything in the media to show that this has been done? A news conference from the NACC, or the Junta, clamour from the junta punters on TVF, maybe a passing mention on a facebook page?

No, nada, zilch, nothing.

The sad thing is, this does not suprise me in the least.

[trainman34014]

Asset declaration is a must for civilian government as they are mostly (not all) very corrupted, and cam to power to rob Thai tax payer.

On the other hand, it would be a waste of time if we need to get military person to declare their asset, as they don't have much anyway, due to the low income army pay. Plus, these military personnel did not volunteer to be in the government. They have to scarify their day job to help to the country back together again. All army personnel are trained to be discipline, honest, and only follow good and corrupt free orders anyway. So nothing to look here.

The public is better to concentrate how to recover their tax payer back from corrupt ex-politician like Thaksin, Somchai, Yingluck etc. No point wasting time on Prayuth asset declaration.

What Planet do you live on ? It must be wonderful there !

[tomacht8]

Anyone who is in the public service must declare his assets.

In parallel they should establish an independent tax police, which check if the actual assets match with the declared assets.

Furthermore, they should set up an anonymous phone line / website, where unusual or unexplained increase in assets can be reported.

Convicted corrupt officials must give back the stolen state assets plus imprisonment without parole.

In my opinion, the only way to combat the corruption cesspool in public offices.

[fab4]

Last month, National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) secretary-general Sansern Poljiak confirmed that Cabinet members, MPs and senators were required by law to disclose their assets and liabilities. He later added that NLA members were deemed political officeholders under the 2014 provisional charter. But he also said that the law did not require NCPO members to disclose assets.

A recent poll of citizens showing the majority are in favour of asset declarations by NCPO members has drawn no response from the junta. It remains to be seen whether this will change now that NCPO members are holding ministerial posts.

In the absence of an international-standard system of checks and balances, only time will tell if the generals are in earnest.

Monday 8th September was the deadline day for all NLA members to declare their assets and liabilities.

Anything in the media to show that this has been done? A news conference from the NACC, or the Junta, clamour from the junta punters on TVF, maybe a passing mention on a facebook page?

No, nada, zilch, nothing.

The sad thing is, this does not suprise me in the least.

So here we are, just over a week since the deadline for declaring assets and the papers are printing articles about the results everywhere, to reinforce the stance that this junta is serious about corruption...........................

Oh, wait a minute, has anybody seen anything about the declaration of assets?

[jayboy]

nobody remember this general who died few years ago, and his only legitimate heiress was his mia noi.... She got 100 millions

Everybody was wondering how a general with a "normal salary"can accumulate so much money

I would suggest that all in addition to declaration of assets it should also be

required that the source of wealth be shown if it exceeded say Bt 25 million.If for example land or property had been inherited beyond that figure there would be no problem.Wealth through share or other investment also no problem if documentation verified ( and of course original investment capital in order).

Flexibility should be shown and there should be no witch hunt.But if a lowly paid general or bureaucrat could not show the necessary evidence for wealth, then a hard look would be needed and appointments revoked.Clearly it would make sense for the investigation to be carried out before any appointments were confirmed.

Previous comments on blind trusts are very sensible.

[Nickymaster]

Last month, National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) secretary-general Sansern Poljiak confirmed that Cabinet members, MPs and senators were required by law to disclose their assets and liabilities. He later added that NLA members were deemed political officeholders under the 2014 provisional charter. But he also said that the law did not require NCPO members to disclose assets.

A recent poll of citizens showing the majority are in favour of asset declarations by NCPO members has drawn no response from the junta. It remains to be seen whether this will change now that NCPO members are holding ministerial posts.

In the absence of an international-standard system of checks and balances, only time will tell if the generals are in earnest.

Monday 8th September was the deadline day for all NLA members to declare their assets and liabilities.

Anything in the media to show that this has been done? A news conference from the NACC, or the Junta, clamour from the junta punters on TVF, maybe a passing mention on a facebook page?

No, nada, zilch, nothing.

The sad thing is, this does not suprise me in the least.

So here we are, just over a week since the deadline for declaring assets and the papers are printing articles about the results everywhere, to reinforce the stance that this junta is serious about corruption...........................

Oh, wait a minute, has anybody seen anything about the declaration of assets?

Waiting........

[fab4]

Last month, National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) secretary-general Sansern Poljiak confirmed that Cabinet members, MPs and senators were required by law to disclose their assets and liabilities. He later added that NLA members were deemed political officeholders under the 2014 provisional charter. But he also said that the law did not require NCPO members to disclose assets.

A recent poll of citizens showing the majority are in favour of asset declarations by NCPO members has drawn no response from the junta. It remains to be seen whether this will change now that NCPO members are holding ministerial posts.

In the absence of an international-standard system of checks and balances, only time will tell if the generals are in earnest.

Monday 8th September was the deadline day for all NLA members to declare their assets and liabilities.

Anything in the media to show that this has been done? A news conference from the NACC, or the Junta, clamour from the junta punters on TVF, maybe a passing mention on a facebook page?

No, nada, zilch, nothing.

The sad thing is, this does not suprise me in the least.

So here we are, just over a week since the deadline for declaring assets and the papers are printing articles about the results everywhere, to reinforce the stance that this junta is serious about corruption...........................

Oh, wait a minute, has anybody seen anything about the declaration of assets?

Waiting........

Still................

Cabinet minister's Assets have to be declared within 30 days of entering office . Yinglucks cabinet was announced on the 23rd August 2011 ( http://www.eppo.go.th/doc/gov-policy-2554-e.pdf ). Deadline day for their declaration of assets was 22nd September. The results were published in the press on September 29th.

For a "government" that is all about transparency the junta's NLA are not exactly doing themselves any favours.

Edited September 17, 2014 by fab4

[Nickymaster]

Last month, National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) secretary-general Sansern Poljiak confirmed that Cabinet members, MPs and senators were required by law to disclose their assets and liabilities. He later added that NLA members were deemed political officeholders under the 2014 provisional charter. But he also said that the law did not require NCPO members to disclose assets.

A recent poll of citizens showing the majority are in favour of asset declarations by NCPO members has drawn no response from the junta. It remains to be seen whether this will change now that NCPO members are holding ministerial posts.

In the absence of an international-standard system of checks and balances, only time will tell if the generals are in earnest.

Monday 8th September was the deadline day for all NLA members to declare their assets and liabilities.

Anything in the media to show that this has been done? A news conference from the NACC, or the Junta, clamour from the junta punters on TVF, maybe a passing mention on a facebook page?

No, nada, zilch, nothing.

The sad thing is, this does not suprise me in the least.

So here we are, just over a week since the deadline for declaring assets and the papers are printing articles about the results everywhere, to reinforce the stance that this junta is serious about corruption...........................

Oh, wait a minute, has anybody seen anything about the declaration of assets?

Waiting........

Still waiting but I will give you a hint: The "other" paper.

[fab4]

So here we are, just over a week since the deadline for declaring assets and the papers are printing articles about the results everywhere, to reinforce the stance that this junta is serious about corruption...........................

Oh, wait a minute, has anybody seen anything about the declaration of assets?

Waiting........

Still waiting but I will give you a hint: The "other" paper.

No, can't find anything online.

[Nickymaster]

Waiting........

Still waiting but I will give you a hint: The "other" paper.

No, can't find anything online.

Of course you can't find info that contradicts your propaganda.

Another hint: Ministers must declare assets by Oct 3 Published: 17 Sep 2014 at 11.44

Edited September 17, 2014 by Nickymaster

[rubl]

No, can't find anything online.

Of course you can't find info that contradicts your propaganda.

Another hint: Ministers must declare assets by Oct 3 Published: 17 Sep 2014 at 11.44

Plus it is said the NACC will publish details within 30 days, or by Nov. 2nd

But for those liking figures it would seem the NACC will publish the NLA member details on Oct. 3rd.

Edited September 17, 2014 by rubl

[fab4]

No, can't find anything online.

Of course you can't find info that contradicts your propaganda.

Another hint: Ministers must declare assets by Oct 3 Published: 17 Sep 2014 at 11.44

Plus it is said the NACC will publish details within 30 days, or by Nov. 2nd

But for those liking figures it would seem the NACC will publish the NLA member details on Oct. 3rd.

All NLA members, asset declaration cut off date is Monday 8th September.

All members of the National Legislative Assembly are required to declare their assets and liabilities to the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the public within 30 days since August 8 when they took an oath at the parliament.

NACC secretary-general Sansern Poljiak (said) the requirement to declare the assets and liabilities (was) unanimously decided by the commission on Thursday.

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/nacc-nla-members-must-declare-assets/

It would appear that small details like the rules are not taken that seriously by the NACC when it concerns the "right folk". The same 30 day rule should apply to cabinet ministers as well. They were appointed on 31st August which gives them a cut off asset declaration date of the 30th September, so I'm not sure how the NACC are applying/interpreting these rules.

Or is that "propaganda?

Edited September 17, 2014 by fab4

[Nickymaster]

No, can't find anything online.

Of course you can't find info that contradicts your propaganda.

Another hint: Ministers must declare assets by Oct 3 Published: 17 Sep 2014 at 11.44

Plus it is said the NACC will publish details within 30 days, or by Nov. 2nd

But for those liking figures it would seem the NACC will publish the NLA member details on Oct. 3rd.

All NLA members, asset declaration cut off date is Monday 8th September.

All members of the National Legislative Assembly are required to declare their assets and liabilities to the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the public within 30 days since August 8 when they took an oath at the parliament.

NACC secretary-general Sansern Poljiak (said) the requirement to declare the assets and liabilities (was) unanimously decided by the commission on Thursday.

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/nacc-nla-members-must-declare-assets/

It would appear that small details like the rules are not taken that seriously by the NACC when it concerns the "right folk". The same 30 day rule should apply to cabinet ministers as well. They were appointed on 31st August which gives them a cut off asset declaration date of the 30th September, so I'm not sure how the NACC are applying/interpreting these rules.

Or is that "propaganda?

Are they declaring assets or not? Answer yes. That was your "concern". You can try all you want to start messing around with dates etc but the issue was declaring assets. Edited September 17, 2014 by Nickymaster

[rubl]

All NLA members, asset declaration cut off date is Monday 8th September.

All members of the National Legislative Assembly are required to declare their assets and liabilities to the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the public within 30 days since August 8 when they took an oath at the parliament.

NACC secretary-general Sansern Poljiak (said) the requirement to declare the assets and liabilities (was) unanimously decided by the commission on Thursday.

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/nacc-nla-members-must-declare-assets/

It would appear that small details like the rules are not taken that seriously by the NACC when it concerns the "right folk". The same 30 day rule should apply to cabinet ministers as well. They were appointed on 31st August which gives them a cut off asset declaration date of the 30th September, so I'm not sure how the NACC are applying/interpreting these rules.

Or is that "propaganda?

May I point out that here we talk about the cabinet folk, not the NLA lot ?

The Cabinet members were sworn in on the 4th of September (a nice gesture since that's my birthday ). With September only 30 days, the deadline is the 3rd of October.