NRC's anti-corruption committee chairman calls for new laws against graft

BANGKOK, 3 March 2015 (NNT) - The Chairman of the National Reform Council’s committee on anti-corruption has called for a new law to fight graft in Thailand.

Chairman of the NRC committee on anti-corruption Pramon Sutivong on Tuesday held a news conference on the progress of the committee’s work which, he said, has focused on instillation of ethical principles, and prevention and suppression of corruption.

Mr. Pramon stated that new laws related to state procurement must be enacted to have a broader coverage over all government offices in such a way that both the people who offer and take bribes will be prosecuted.

He added that the new laws must also be effective in preventing political interference in the appointment of senior civil servants and state enterprise board members.

Mr. Pramon went on to say that the committee has proposed the adjustment of the speed and the elimination of duplication in the legal proceeding process when it comes to graft cases, as well as the setting up of a corruption court.


-- NNT 2015-03-03

If you are serious in fighting corruption, change your Banking Secrecy laws. See Singapore and Hong Kong as examples.

Remove the slander and libel laws. These were put in place to protect the criminals!

Vigorous prevention and suppression of corruption also requires a vibrant free press that can conduct investigation journalism to seek out potential corruption in places where it is protected by powerful people. It also needs effective whistleblower laws to protect people from identifying corruption.

Thailand lacks both elements.

Hahaha that's funny!

The elites are cementing their positions in Government. Once in they won't be able to be removed. How will this affect the governing of the country or what price will be paid in doing business in Thailand?

Laws against graft? Let's see--full transparency in government spending, full annual disclosure of assets and financial interests of all who can influence government spending, laws against conflict of interest that are rigorously enforced, etc. They can look to governments that actually work to keep corruption at the lowest possible level for specifics.

Of course to be effective these laws will have to apply not only to politicians but to the civil service, the judiciary, the military, and the police as well. Also, as already mentioned, a free press that is free to report on suspicious dealings and suspiciously wealthy civil servants, judges, military officers and police chiefs is essential. Anyone want to make a bet on that happening?