Thailand corruption exhibition 'should be shown in malls'

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thailand corruption exhibition 'should be shown in malls'
NATTAPAT PROMKAEW

BANGKOK:-- THE Museum of Thai Corruption - with its statues that depict one of our worst vices - has been set up to rouse both public awareness and spark the nation's shame for being so widespread.

Now, supporters say it should become high-impact exhibition that is put on tour for greater publicity, setting up where crowds gather for an even more effective campaign.

The museum has been created at a time when several surveys revealed society to be in desperate straits from corruption. Its organisers hope to offset an idea prevalent among many Thais who believe corrupt activity is acceptable, as long as they benefit from it.

The roaming museum presented its statues at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) from September 15 - 27 and was met with enthusiasm. It drew a large number of young people and urban workers, both Thais and foreigners, to learn about true-life corruption cases that involved not only politicians but also civil servants and even a television personality.

Museum-goers captured images of the sculptures with their phone cameras as if they were rare art pieces.

The Museum of Thai Corruption was set up last month, founded by a non-profit organisation - Anti-Corruption Thailand - to showcase 10 corruption cases through the roving exhibition of 10 sculptures.

The cases highlighted featured the rice-pledging scheme, the construction of police stations, the construction of a footsal stadium, the Raisom media corruption case, the Bangkok Film Festival kickback case, the unusually rich case against a former Transport Ministry permanent secretary, the Klong Dan wastewater treatment plant, the case of imported luxury cars, the dried longan subsidy scheme and case of advertising billboards on police boxes.

Critics say to expose corruption in a museum is bold and unconventional. And while the presentation of sculptures to expose corruption was innovative, it lacked details for those who attended to learn more about each corruption case.

"Some corruption cases shown here are very complicated. Details should be given on how corruption is carried out since it is interesting," one person at the event said.

To instil awareness about fighting corruption among as many people as possible, the museum should be shown simultaneously in every province across the country and not just in the capital.

"The museum needs better PR work. I had not heard about it but stumbled upon the museum accidentally here,'' another critic who visited the museum said.

A former reporter who visited the museum complimented the organisers for the goal they aimed to achieve, effectively raising the impact of the anti-corruption campaign. She said the exhibit should be shown at places where many people gather, like shopping malls, parks and exhibition centres.

"It is not Thai culture to visit museums, so the display should be presented where it can be easily seen by masses all year round, such as by moving it to different malls," she said.

"After seeing the exhibition, to effectively instil a culture of opposing corruption among youths, parents must talk to their children about corruption not being acceptable and how it must be condemned," she said.

One person at the BACC gave thumbs up to the exhibition, saying he believed it would change some Thais' attitude that corruption is acceptable. The exhibition portrayed corruption as a social illness and highlighted the huge damage that corruption can bring about.

But some critics were sceptical as to why museum organisers chose to expose corruption cases, some of which are still on trial and some still being investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Commission. The courts have not ruled on most of the cases. Organisers did not name the alleged corrupt individuals involved in the 10 cases, but people still have wondered if there are political motives behind the presentation.

But Pramon Sutivong, chairman of Anti-Corruption Thailand, argued that the NACC resolved that corruption had taken place, while the Attorney General filed indictments against the individuals allegedly involved and courts had accepted these cases for hearing. This meant the 10 cases had grounds for graft claims and were worthy of public attention.

Pramon defended the exhibition, saying the 10 cases presented were chosen to show the complex nature of corruption, the diversity of issues, the variety of alleged individuals and not the political context.

"We did not aim to attack any particular political camp. We cover various governments not just the Pheu Thai or the Democrats. We did not aim to mislead or misguide the public about the corruption trials we only present facts," he said.

More new corruption allegations will be presented to the museum. For example, corruption cases in the military such as in the airship procurement, the GT 200 bomb detection device, and the Krung Thai loan extension to the Krisda Mahanakorn group - where the court ruled recently to sentence a former Krung Thai Bank executive to long jail terms, Pramon said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Graft-exhibition-should-be-shown-in-malls-30271107.html

-- The Nation 2015-10-18

[LannaGuy]

true but how much has to be paid under the table to put them there?

[jaltsc]

"THE Museum of Thai Corruption..."

Quite redundant. I thought the entire country was a museum of Thai corruption.

Will the it also show how the land and the permits to build the malls which will house the exhibit were obtained?

Edited October 18, 2015 by jaltsc

[NongKhaiKid]

Corruption can't be shown on television soaps but should be in shopping malls ?

I wonder if the powers that be will feel obliged to step in as it might undermine the public's confidence in officialdom etc. ?

Edited October 18, 2015 by NongKhaiKid

[arthurboy]

And will this have any impact on corruption?

A few days ago, the new army chief promoted or appointed 447 of his cronies to various military positions throughout the RTA.

What's that if it's not corruption?

Edited October 18, 2015 by arthurboy

[jaltsc]

And will this have any impact on corruption?

A few days ago, the new army chief promoted or appointed 447 of his cronies to various military positions throughout the RTA.

What's that if it's not corruption?

To answer your question...Just another example of us farangs not understanding Thainess.

[ezzra]

They will need one hell of a big mall to show ALL the items exhibits there...

Just wondering, when are they going to put an exhibition and showcase the "Inactive post"

personal? at least they will have some to do eh?

[NongKhaiKid]

And will this have any impact on corruption?

A few days ago, the new army chief promoted or appointed 447 of his cronies to various military positions throughout the RTA.

What's that if it's not corruption?

Decades ago there was an ad on British television which said ' get the strength of the insurance companies around you '.

In a way that's what the army chief is doing, his men in key posts ensures loyalty and control, hopefully.

Edited October 18, 2015 by NongKhaiKid

[Praematura]

Shameless hypocrisy on part of the government considering the generals have accumulated millions of dollars after starting out relatively poor by comparison. Im not buying a ticket unless the pm can lead the tour.

[jaidam]

If they were serious at all about corruption, they would not install a ridiculously rich police chief that can not explain his astronomical wealth. Both Somyot and his replacement both fell into that category. That Prayuth chose to do exactly that sums up his attitude towards corruption - which is so long as it's my boys doing it, it is all well and good.

On another TVF thread we can read how corruption is alive and well in the Thai justice system. A search for poor Jack Hansen-Bartel will be an eye opener for those that consider the Thai justice system working for the good of the citizens.

[h90]

And will this have any impact on corruption?

A few days ago, the new army chief promoted or appointed 447 of his cronies to various military positions throughout the RTA.

What's that if it's not corruption?

That is not corruption. It is normal that you put the people you trust in key positions. You would do similar things in any kind of management.

The bigger problem is that you get only promoted if you pay at the police and I assume it won't be different at the military

[h90]

If they were serious at all about corruption, they would not install a ridiculously rich police chief that can not explain his astronomical wealth. Both Somyot and his replacement both fell into that category. That Prayuth chose to do exactly that sums up his attitude towards corruption - which is so long as it's my boys doing it, it is all well and good.

On another TVF thread we can read how corruption is alive and well in the Thai justice system. A search for poor Jack Hansen-Bartel will be an eye opener for those that consider the Thai justice system working for the good of the citizens.

No Prayuth things if he cut back on the corruption 80% than all is good. Nowhere the magnitude of corruption the previous governments had (I include Abhisits government).

But that isn't good enough.....

[Hawk]

What's the point, we all know how corruption works, its a way of life. So no shame or remorse will be shown, people will simply become more cautious.

[PREM-R]

And will this have any impact on corruption?

A few days ago, the new army chief promoted or appointed 447 of his cronies to various military positions throughout the RTA.

What's that if it's not corruption?

That is not corruption. It is normal that you put the people you trust in key positions. You would do similar things in any kind of management.

The bigger problem is that you get only promoted if you pay at the police and I assume it won't be different at the military

Hmm I don't remember you being so supportive of Yingluck when she replaced national security chief Thawil Pliensri and was taken to court by the constitutional court for alleged abuse of power. Same, same but different?

[clockman]

Until they remove the slander and libel laws. Nothing will change. These were put in place to protect the criminals

[Searat7]

I went to see this and was disappointed that the signs for each exhibit were in Thai only

[trainman34014]

It always makes me laugh when i read about how they are going to combat corruption when the very words they speak come from corrupt mouths.

It is also stomach churning to continually read that most Thai's think corruption is acceptable as long as they benefit from it. Is this not the case that all criminals believe what they are doing is ok as long as they are not caught? As long as the mindset of Thai people remains this way it will be impossible to clean up 10% of corruption let alone a large proportion of it. Most Thai's will just laugh at this 'Museum of crime ' and continue as normal.

[MZurf]

And will this have any impact on corruption?

A few days ago, the new army chief promoted or appointed 447 of his cronies to various military positions throughout the RTA.

What's that if it's not corruption?

That is not corruption. It is normal that you put the people you trust in key positions. You would do similar things in any kind of management.

The bigger problem is that you get only promoted if you pay at the police and I assume it won't be different at the military

"That is not corruption"

No, it's called cronyism. One of the aspects of Thainess that is choking this country;

cro·ny·ism

ˈkrōnēˌizəm/

noun

derogatory

1. the appointment of friends and associates to positions of authority, without proper regard to their qualifications.

[DrTuner]

It is already. Just go to Paragon and see who's there.

[smutcakes]

I still cannot quite understand how they can do this museum on cases that have not even been to court or the investigation been finished. The police box one for example has never been to court and no one has been charged or found guilty.

Surely at the very least this would prejudice any future legal action, or libel persons who may or may not be involved.

I dont suppose any military procurement projects made it onto the short list?

[MZurf]

"Thailand corruption exhibition 'should be shown in malls'"

Why don't they stage the exhibitions in the police stations around the country? You know, actually at the scene of the crime in many cases....

[slapout]

one meaxure of the realalistic attempt to expose and eliminate corruption (as claimed) is to account for the monies spent to build, establish , maintain and continue adding to this showroom..

Then informing the public of the amounts of moneyl, civil employees , politicians and the private sector who are involved. Then do a quarterly update of results in the ongoing legal process /system, (including monies collected, jail time , assets siezed, etc) as well as new cases being investigated.

[jaidam]

I still cannot quite understand how they can do this museum on cases that have not even been to court or the investigation been finished. The police box one for example has never been to court and no one has been charged or found guilty.

Surely at the very least this would prejudice any future legal action, or libel persons who may or may not be involved.

I dont suppose any military procurement projects made it onto the short list?

They are keeping a blank space on the wall for the submarine chronicles.

[MZurf]

I still cannot quite understand how they can do this museum on cases that have not even been to court or the investigation been finished. The police box one for example has never been to court and no one has been charged or found guilty.

Surely at the very least this would prejudice any future legal action, or libel persons who may or may not be involved.

I dont suppose any military procurement projects made it onto the short list?

They are keeping a blank space on the wall for the submarine chronicles.

How the hell are you going to fit those on a wall together with an aircraft carrier, blimps, bomb detectors etc, etc, ect ??

DUH!

[jaidam]

I still cannot quite understand how they can do this museum on cases that have not even been to court or the investigation been finished. The police box one for example has never been to court and no one has been charged or found guilty.

Surely at the very least this would prejudice any future legal action, or libel persons who may or may not be involved.

I dont suppose any military procurement projects made it onto the short list?

They are keeping a blank space on the wall for the submarine chronicles.

How the hell are you going to fit those on a wall together with an aircraft carrier, blimps, bomb detectors etc, etc, ect ??

DUH!

I don't think the military junta are thinking about highlighting the corruption carried out by themselves.

Incidentally the missus and I recently registered our marriage in Bangkok. With our translator and witnesses we set out in a taxi to the registry office nice and early. 1st office, no solly no can do today. Back in the taxi another 45 minute drive to the next registry office. Solly no can do. 3rd was worse and quite offensive. 4th time lucky - it was 4pm at this stage. Why could the first 3 registry offices not marry us? Simple answer according to our translator was that they needed under the table money to do it for us. Incredible. Sukhumband, you are a disgrace. Military junta - you too.

[Usernames]

Critics say to expose corruption in a museum is bold and unconventional.

No, it's not. It's a direct descendant of the Moscow show trials and, even today, the parading around of the criminal of the month in China. The real corruption continues on merrily behind the scenes in hundreds of thousands of different places, large and small. This is a distraction.

[MZurf]

I still cannot quite understand how they can do this museum on cases that have not even been to court or the investigation been finished. The police box one for example has never been to court and no one has been charged or found guilty.

Surely at the very least this would prejudice any future legal action, or libel persons who may or may not be involved.

I dont suppose any military procurement projects made it onto the short list?

They are keeping a blank space on the wall for the submarine chronicles.

How the hell are you going to fit those on a wall together with an aircraft carrier, blimps, bomb detectors etc, etc, ect ??

DUH!

I don't think the military junta are thinking about highlighting the corruption carried out by themselves.

Incidentally the missus and I recently registered our marriage in Bangkok. With our translator and witnesses we set out in a taxi to the registry office nice and early. 1st office, no solly no can do today. Back in the taxi another 45 minute drive to the next registry office. Solly no can do. 3rd was worse and quite offensive. 4th time lucky - it was 4pm at this stage. Why could the first 3 registry offices not marry us? Simple answer according to our translator was that they needed under the table money to do it for us. Incredible. Sukhumband, you are a disgrace. Military junta - you too.

Congratulations! May your marriage last at least until the next election (which is, as we all know, many decades into the future)!

Edited October 18, 2015 by MZurf

[heybruce]

I want to see the exhibit showing how the military manages smuggling along the Thai borders. I understand they're very good at it, but of course they've had many years of practice.

[phoenixdoglover]

I don't have any objection to the publicizing of large, high-profile cases.

It seems inappropriate to include cases that have not resulted in a conviction. (Perhaps there should be another traveling museum that features legal cases that are never completed)

However, if the idea is to actually begin changing the culture of corruption, as opposed to garnering some publicity for the "museum", then this will certainly be a short-lived failure.

I would take the same money spent on this little circus, and commission 3 pamphlets, designed to be read by Thai children around 8 years old, 14 years old, and finally by adults.

The pamphlets would describe the basic types of corruption and how corruption takes place in daily life in Thailand. Colorful illustrations would show people giving and taking bribes, cheating tourists, and stealing money from government sources.

The impacts on Thailand in terms of reputation, lost funds, and poor services would also be highlighted.

Finally, a one-page Personal Code of Ethical Conduct would present a set of rules that everyone can follow to avoid corruption, and to report corruption.

These pamphlets would be widely printed, and distributed to schools and government offices. The Personal Code of Ethical Conduct would be posted in every government office that serves the public.

Of course, the descriptions of corruption taking place in daily life would offend all kinds of people, especially the Police and government workers.

It is probably for this reason that it will never happen.

And public shaming of a select group of the fallen ones will be used instead.

This way, the culture need not change. And regular people need not suffer the pain of knowing how they are very much aiding and abetting the corruption all around them.

[AGareth2]

no corruption day