CDC assures focus on anti-corruption laws under new charter

BANGKOK, 15 April 2015 (NNT) - The Constitution Drafting Committee has assured the public of one of its focus to enact laws to fight corruption effectively under the new charter.

CDC member Paiboon Nititawan, who also chairs the sub-committee on the drafting of the anti-corruption law, said that the sub-committee has already agreed with the designation of the Anti-Corruption Commission to only investigate all grafts related to senior politicians and civil servants while similar cases against the others will be handled by other agencies.

Mr. Paiboon added that the committee also decided that the NACC team at each ministry will be responsible for the initial probe before submitting the case to the main anti-graft agency and that civil servants who are to report their wealth will no longer need to do so directly with the NACC, but only make all information available when needed.

The CDC will discuss with the National Reform Council’s committee in charge of anti-corruption about the setting up of a court to handle all graft-related cases after the NRC completes its review of the first draft of the new charter during April 20-26.


-- NNT 2015-04-15

No law will reduce far less stop corruption unless backed up by a full and proper investigation and action taken without first considering who is involved and how much of a soft pedal needs to be applied.

The latter aspect is sadly lacking in LoS where almost anything can be overlooked if a ' somebody ' is involved.

I have no idea what will happen with the first list of 100 corrupt officials but it has had to be submitted for one man to review and a decision on any further action.

More laws just more window dressing.

“…the Anti-Corruption Commission to only investigate all grafts related to senior politicians and civil servants while similar cases against the others will be handled by other agencies”

This is not a good start, one special, smaller, agency to deal with the top echelons of government and probably full of ‘specially approved’ people.

What the PM could have done already, is to have a clearly independently appointed agency with absolute draconian powers (like art 44) to interview anybody, search any premises and see any documents e.g. bank accounts. Then to make public their findings and recommendations.

This agency should only be accountable to His Majesty the King.

"only make all information available when needed"

That comes close to an open invitation for corruption. What does it take for "needed" - money, favors?

Reporting should be mandatory and immediate as a precursor to taking office. If not complied with in a short time period, say 30 days, the position will remain open and another candidate will be nominated within 30 days for consideration.