Crackdown needed to change public perception on corruption: Thai opinion

[webfact]

STREETWISE
Crackdown needed to change public perception on corruption
Achara Deboonme

Last year the Bank of Ayudhya led the corporate pack in the battle against corruption.

BANGKOK: -- It was the first to announce a policy of declining New Year gifts from well-wishers. This applied to directors, executives, branch managers and employees in general. These individuals are barred from receiving valuable gifts and bank clients are advised against making such offerings.

This year it is again at the forefront, sending out a similar message in November when corporate and individ¬ual clients usually scramble for gift ideas. I have to admire the bank for this initiative.

Many Thai people often refer to a survey that said Thai children nowa¬days were cool about corruption if they were also the beneficiaries. They put the blame on politicians, corporate chiefs and others. But few actions have been taken to eradicate corruption at the individual level.

In Thai society, juniors have a tradi¬tion of presenting gifts to seniors on major occasions, particularly during the New Year and the traditional New Year (Songkran). The seniors are reluc¬tant to decline these offerings, since that would be equivalent to snubbing good wishes.

However, the tradition becomes ugly when people focus more on the price of the gift, rather than viewing it as a token of gratitude or appreciation. The givers feel pressured into finding more valuable gifts the follow¬ing year, while the receivers tend to start expecting more expensive gifts every year.

The act of giving turns ugly when this involves gifts to people considered to have supported certain individuals and corporations.

In the weeks before New Year, news¬rooms in Bangkok welcome a parade of corporate PR people. They come with edible and non-edible items to thank the media for their support in the past year. People in the newsroom use this prac¬tice as a barometer to gauge the eco¬nomic health of the country. When the number of baskets pile up, that means the economy is doing great.

This vicious cycle could go on unchecked without actions from those involved. This year, joining the Bank of Ayudhya is Total Access Communication. It publicly announced a policy against New Year gifts.

What surprises me is that such an action does not appear to be coming from any government unit or agency.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission has fought hard to eradi¬cate corruption. There is a rule in place that government officials must not accept gifts valued at more than Bt3,000, but there is no way to enforce it. As I mentioned in one of my earlier pieces, the government of Singapore requires all officials to report all gifts and their estimated value. All gifts become state property and officials who are interested in any of the gifts have to buy them at their estimated value. In Thailand, it is more or less the judgement of the receiving officials.

Corruption has long been an ugly word in Thai society. It was the reason why many people in Bangkok and the big cities hated the previous govern¬ment and supported the 2014 coup. When General Prayut Chan-o-cha launched the coup and promised to return happiness to the Kingdom, he promised to eradicate corruption.

But it puzzled me greatly why his government has been rather slow on the graft scandal involving the con¬struction of Rajabhakti Park, which was carried out by a group of generals. Despite allegations, it was up to the generals to decide if they should resign or wait till the allegations were dismissed. When a group of red-shirt lead¬ers and activists attempted to visit the park, they were summoned to a military grilling.

Two weeks ago there was a promise that the amount of money donated and the expen¬diture incurred on the project would be publicised for the sake of transparency. Yet to this day nothing has happened. What society has instead learned about is the arrest of a man who shared on the social media a graphic about alleged corruption in the project.

The government's supporters have turned a blind eye to this, but society is puzzled how sharing it is a felony when there is no clarity yet on the scandal. Also puzzling is the fact that the generals were allowed to use their own judgement whether they should resign while the probe is pending.

In the past, in a similar case, many civilian officials were suspended from their jobs or transferred to inactive posts.

All this makes the assumption more convincing that some generals had channelled some of the donations into their own pockets.

There are ways to prove corruption. The first thing is to take serious action. The action by the Bank of Ayudhya and DTAC are efforts to close the gate, to block undesirable temptation. But action is more necessary when a scandal occurs.

Only action and punishment will change people's attitudes towards cor¬ruption. Society should learn that cor¬ruption can be prevented and that action will be taken regardless of the rank of the people implicated. In Thai society, where a group of people hon¬our rules wholeheartedly and others are looking for loopholes, only action will bring everyone to the same standard. And only that will change the widespread public belief that corruption isn't such a bad thing.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Crackdown-needed-to-change-public-perception-on-co-30275380.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-22

[onetime]

Only action and punishment will change people's attitudes towards cor¬ruption. Society should learn that cor¬ruption can be prevented and that action will be taken regardless of the rank of the people implicated. In Thai society, where a group of people hon¬our rules wholeheartedly and others are looking for loopholes, only action will bring everyone to the same standard. And only that will change the widespread public belief that corruption isn't such a bad thing.

If there were less corruption in the educational system, the writer may have gotten a better education, and would have the ability to reword ambiguous sentences, etc.

[NongKhaiKid]

Crackdowns or the promise of such are ten a penny here but when it comes to actual implementation it's just words.

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

Crackdown when a nationwide lobotomy is needed!

[aussieinthailand]

Time for a crackdown on crackdowns.

Heard it all before and after the self promotion and fan fair is over the same old game is at play.

As for giving banks gifts, man I still stagger at the thought considering some of their interest rates,,,,,,,, thieves.

[tbthailand]

how about just changing the real situation regarding corruption instead of public perception?

not that a completely non-transparent military government has any real interest in doing that, but none the less, ...

[aussieinthailand]

Claiming the want for changing the perception on the issue of corruption and at the same time students calling for transparent and independent investigation into exactly the issue are being detained harassed,,,,,,,,, yeah change the public perception.

[jaidam]

Seriously, I was thinking if they introduced ISIS style punishments I think corruption would stop. Stealing = amputation of hands, lying = amputation of tongue, policy corruption = amputation of head, sodomy in govt offices = thrown off tall building. This would work, and it would also be awesome to watch the public spectacles of these hi-sos getting the chop. Never thought I would credit the mid-east Islamic colonists but I think they do accidentally hold the answers to many countries problems.

[worgeordie]

A "crackdown",will it be one of those 2 week crackdowns,

then back to business, as normal..

regards worgeordie

[derator01]

No grammar police, please.

[SABloke]

I think one of the biggest problems is that most people don't understand that corruption covers a variety of topics at different levels. Most people I talk to here point to large (millions of Baht up) as corruption, but seem to regard ''service fees'' at government offices as normal and not corrupt. My mother in law paid 30 000 Baht so that her son wouldn't have to go to the army (fueling corruption even though she says she's anti-corruption). Small scale corruption should be dealt with the same as large scale corruption IMO

[Borzandy]

The Thais are born corrupt, nothing can change them.

[dbrenn]

More from the Ministry of Hot Air.

Corruption in Thailand goes right to the top.

Always has.

[manhood]

As long children learn at school that they have to "honor" their unedcucated teachers with "presents" by their parents and as a demand of the "school" to honor always everything from older or "higher " people nothing ever will change in their minds about corruption as all is not at all corruption: just honor!

[razer]

A crackdown on the corrupt or a crackdown on critics of the corrupt?

The answer to that question makes one a little nervous.

[scorecard]

Only action and punishment will change people's attitudes towards cor¬ruption. Society should learn that cor¬ruption can be prevented and that action will be taken regardless of the rank of the people implicated. In Thai society, where a group of people hon¬our rules wholeheartedly and others are looking for loopholes, only action will bring everyone to the same standard. And only that will change the widespread public belief that corruption isn't such a bad thing.

If there were less corruption in the educational system, the writer may have gotten a better education, and would have the ability to reword ambiguous sentences, etc.

"Only action and punishment will change people's attitudes towards cor¬ruption".

Well said. Further, what the young should see, in detail, is famous people (that possibly also means infamous people) in court:

- No special treatment.

- Case must be heard within say 60 days of charges being laid.

- Turn up when told to report, 'too busy at the moment' not allowed.

- Obvious fair and balanced judicial process with speed.

- Held after conviction whilst appeal is heard with short time limit for appeal to be heard (pressure on the courts)..

- Media required to make comparisons about the buying power of the funds 'stolen' (e.g. this money could buy 2 new very hi-tech hospitals / 5 new modern schools for a total of 5,000 students, etc.

- Very severe punishment for any attempts to gag witnesses or to influence the judiciary, plus severe compulsory shaming for anybody caught.

- Judges and other public servants subject to very severe punishment and severe compulsory shaming for any inappropriate decisions etc.

[oneday]

The NCPO and Mr. P have only been paying lip-service to eradicating corruption. There have been a few showcases to make it APPEAR they are working hard at it, but when they don't jump all over the corruption allegations at Rajabhakti Park then it just proves to the people they don't mean what they say, it's business as usual.

[chrisinth]

There should be no crackdowns at all, plain and simple.

Corruption should be dealt with as a matter of course day in, day out.

The laws are there waiting to be implemented, all that is needed is a force that can do what is required and a proper controlling body.

Crackdowns are never effective as they are all time-limited, false flags for the public is all.

[englishoak]

Someones pants too big again ?

[NCC1701A]

thailand is a giant mafia state.

[tuanku]

Crackdown when a nationwide lobotomy is needed!

Do you mean the Nation needs it's head examined? careful what you say - who is the Head of this Nation (clue it isn't General Prayuth)

[Ichabod]

Some of this discussion appears to assume that the military takeover government is ineffectual at controlling corruption or indifferent to it. Nothing could be further from the truth. The fact is after the last coup corruption did not decrease, but increased, in Thailand. The first thing the present "government" did after seizing power was to put their cronies into positions of power and influence in the state-owned enterprises which constitute the real feed trough of corruption in Thailand. The very point of the junta is that the military should be the primary beneficiary of corruption. The talk is just blowing smoke in the eyes of the gullible.

[tuanku]

More from the Ministry of Hot Air.

Corruption in Thailand goes right to the top.

Always has.

Another one - consider who is the "top" and be careful

[Surasak]

The public perception on corruption is, If they can do it so can we.

[z42]

Shouldn't the perception be that once convicted AND sentenced to 20 years in jail for it, you can't immediately bail yourself out with likely the same dishonestly obtained money.

The class / feudal system is the biggest part of the problem. How about crack down on that. Oh wait.......

[scorecard]

Some of this discussion appears to assume that the military takeover government is ineffectual at controlling corruption or indifferent to it. Nothing could be further from the truth. The fact is after the last coup corruption did not decrease, but increased, in Thailand. The first thing the present "government" did after seizing power was to put their cronies into positions of power and influence in the state-owned enterprises which constitute the real feed trough of corruption in Thailand. The very point of the junta is that the military should be the primary beneficiary of corruption. The talk is just blowing smoke in the eyes of the gullible.

Perhaps you could give some specific examples.

[Ichabod]

Some of this discussion appears to assume that the military takeover government is ineffectual at controlling corruption or indifferent to it. Nothing could be further from the truth. The fact is after the last coup corruption did not decrease, but increased, in Thailand. The first thing the present "government" did after seizing power was to put their cronies into positions of power and influence in the state-owned enterprises which constitute the real feed trough of corruption in Thailand. The very point of the junta is that the military should be the primary beneficiary of corruption. The talk is just blowing smoke in the eyes of the gullible.

Perhaps you could give some specific examples.

From the Wall Street Journal:

Thailand’s military junta is moving to extend its control over the nation’s powerful state-owned enterprises, a formidable economic sector that has been a crucial arena for Thailand’s power struggles in recent years.

The nation’s generals, who took power in a coup last month, have stopped short of an outright seizure of the nation’s 56 state-owned companies, which include Thai Airways International THAI.TH +0.64% PCL and oil-and-gas producer PTT PTT.TH -1.34% PCL. But they have put public pressure on the heads of these firms to resign, and many have begun to comply.

Voravidh Champeeratana, the chairman of Krung Thai Bank PCL, KTB.TH -3.33% stepped down on Monday, following the resignation over the weekend of PTT’s chairman. The heads of the Government Lottery Office and the Airports of Thailand AOT.TH -2.76% PCL also have resigned since the coup. So far, none have been replaced.

The state sector has long been a battleground in the clash between Thailand’s two competing political factions, which culminated in the army’s takeover last month.

There is a lot at stake: These firms have combined assets of $360 billion and they spend more annually on investment than the government does. Thailand’s listed public companies and their subsidiaries account for a fifth of the local stock-market capitalization.

Politicians have fought to control these companies, whose revenues are a source of financing for government projects. Analysts said it is common for administrations in Thailand, whether military or civilian, to put allies in charge either as a reward for loyalty or as a way to exert control over spending.

“If we’re talking about investment projects to boost the economy, state enterprises are more important than the government,” said Niphon Poapongsakorn, an economist at the Thailand Development Research Institute, a think tank.

Thailand’s military junta says its intention is to make state enterprises more efficient.

“If we have to make any change, we will find good people who can contribute to the country and put them to work,” Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong, the junta’s economic policy czar, said after the coup.

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a telecom tycoon, moved many of his allies into state companies following his ascent to power in a popular vote in 2001. That upended decades in which Thailand’s traditional royalist elite, which has close ties to the military, kept tight control over government and the state sector.

Mr. Thaksin tried to privatize some state enterprises to boost liquidity and listings on Thailand’s stock exchange, and sold stakes to the public of some companies including PTT, Airports of Thailand PCL and telecommunications provider MCOT PCL. But the military deposed him in a 2006 coup, cutting short his privatization plans.

The struggle since then between Mr. Thaksin’s backers and Thailand’s establishment has created a revolving-door dynamic at state enterprises. Mr. Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, led her party to power in elections in 2011 and set about restoring control over the state sector, facilitating the appointment of allies to head PTT and MCOT.

A Thai police choir performed in Bangkok’s Lumpini Park on June 15. Zuma Press

In other sectors, the establishment was able to keep some influence in an uneasy balance with Ms. Yingluck’s allies. Most board positions are selected by company committees, typically a rubber stamp for the government’s choice, former directors say.

Army chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, who led the military’s grab for power in May and heads its new ruling council, has sat on the board of TMB Bank PCL since before the coup. Mr. Prajin, the junta’s economic czar, has been on the board of Thai Airways from before the army’s seizure of power.

The Government Lottery Office, which runs the nation’s monthly state lottery, has had a number of bosses in recent years. The office made 2.7 billion baht ($83 million) net profit in 2012 on 61 billion baht in revenue, the latest available figures.

Much of the profits go to fund government programs. The office also can print tickets for special lotteries to raise additional funds for specific government projects.

Since the coup, the office’s former director-general, Attagrit Tharechat, who was appointed by Ms. Yingluck, has stepped down. Mr. Attagrit denied the junta had pressured him to resign.

“In order for the organization to move forward, I should open the door for the new administration,” he said.

Chaiwat Pasokpuckdee, another former director-general of the lottery under Mr. Thaksin, said most board members of state-owned companies are politically appointed and lack knowledge about operations.

Wanchai Surakul, director-general of the office under the establishment government of former Democrat Party prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, said it was normal for heads of state firms to resign when governments change to “make room for new people.”

[John1012]

Has anyone heard anything more about the police general applying for assylum in Australia? He must have some idea of who at the top is pulling the strings of the puppets in government. Maybe he is keeping quiet to protect his family.

[dbrenn]

More from the Ministry of Hot Air.

Corruption in Thailand goes right to the top.

Always has.

Another one - consider who is the "top" and be careful

So boring. A self-proclaimed forum cop, pointing the Lese Majeste finger at anyone who criticises the government. Are you saying that corruption hasn't always existed at every level of the Thai government? If so, then you obviously know nothing about living and working here.

You crass effort to shut down the debate with threats of LM epitomises everything that is wrong with Thailand.

[tuanku]

More from the Ministry of Hot Air.

Corruption in Thailand goes right to the top.

Always has.

Another one - consider who is the "top" and be careful

So boring. A self-proclaimed forum cop, pointing the Lese Majeste finger at anyone who criticises the government. Are you saying that corruption hasn't always existed at every level of the Thai government? If so, then you obviously know nothing about living and working here.

You crass effort to shut down the debate with threats of LM epitomises everything that is wrong with Thailand.

On the contrary, I am all for debate as you will see from the posts I make. If you point corruption fingers at "the top", though it can easily be mis-interpreted as pointing at the nation's monarch and could present difficulties. I am arguing for a more specific use of words (without, of course, naming names). I have no doubt that some Junta members, probably the majority of them, are deeply corrupt. One has only to look at the wealth they all declare.