Huge markup on imported foods. Why?

[webfact]

ANTI-CORRUPTION
Most firms ready for internal anti-graft policies, survey suggests
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Three-fourths of Thai business leaders are ready to push for the establishment of an internal anti-corruption policy at their organisations, while 78 per cent believe the private sector will play a more active role along with the government in fighting corruption over the next one to two years, according to a survey conducted by the Private Sector Collective Action Coalition Against Corruption (CAC) during October and November.

The survey found that 54.5 per cent of 425 executives and directors at private companies said their companies are ready to push for the installation of an internal anti-corruption policy.

Of the respondents, 20 per cent think their organisations are most ready to conduct such practices, 18 per cent think their companies are moderately ready, 2.3 per cent believe their firms are less ready and 4.4 per cent least ready.

Regarding the private sector's role in tackling corruption over the next one to two years, 69 per cent of the respondents expect it to participate more, with 9 per cent anticipating a much more active role. Only 3.7 per cent of respondents expect the private sector to have a lesser role, with 1.1 per cent anticipating a much lesser role, while the remaining 16.2 per cent expect a steady role.

"The outcome of the survey clearly demonstrates the readiness and eagerness of the Thai private sector to join the fight against corruption and not leave the burden solely in the hands of the government. The rising consciousness against corruption of the private sector is an explicit signal that it is ready to work in tandem with the government in uprooting corruption in Thailand," said Panas Simasathien, chairman of the CAC.

On the severity of corruption in Thailand over the past year, 28.9 per cent said the problem had worsened substantially, while 10.8 per cent thought the situation had only got slightly worse. Meanwhile, 31 per cent saw the situation improve slightly, while 2.5 per cent pointed to substantial improvement. The remaining 25.1 per cent said the level of corruption had stayed unchanged.

Of those who think the situation has worsened, 48.9 per cent blame corruption on weak law enforcement and prosecution of corruption cases, while 40.9 per cent said it was due to the absence of effective and transparent government services. Just over 29 per cent pointed to unclear legislation that opened loopholes for corruption as the cause, while 28.4 per cent said the situation had worsened because of inadequate engagement from the private sector and civil society in tackling corruption.

And of those who think the situation has improved, 44.9 per cent think this was a result of more engagement between the private sector and civil society, while 44.7 per cent believe strict law enforcement and prosecution against those who committed corruption were the reason. Meanwhile, 36 per cent think improvements in effectiveness and transparency of government services helped, while 22.8 per cent believe improvements in legislation played a part.

"The fact that many business leaders don't see improvement in corruption situation despite serious efforts by various parties reflected the depth and severity of the corruption problem in Thailand. All of us do need to dedicate more and work hard hand in hand in tackling corruption," said Dr Bandid Nijathaworn, secretary of the CAC.

Private companies join the CAC voluntarily. As of the end of last year, 406 firms (including 212 listed companies) had joined the coalition, up by 138 companies from 268 at the end of 2013.

On January 16, the CAC Council had certified an additional 18 companies for having put in place policy and compliance standards to prevent corruption as per criteria set by the CAC. Of the total 406 companies, 96 are now certified.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Most-firms-ready-for-internal-anti-graft-policies--30252796.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-28

[Lupatria]

With regard to 'Thainess' and the common procedures over here, this is what I read between the lines:

"Attentention all units: all brown envelopes are ready for pickup!"