Thread: ‘Bt200-bn bribery industry’ forces Thailand to fall on corruption index

BRIBERY IS a huge industry in Thailand with estimated revenue of Bt200 billion annually, prominent banker Banyong Pongpanich said yesterday.

Speaking in his capacity as a board member of the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand – which held a

seminar on the Rolls-Royce bribery case that allegedly involves Thai Airways International (THAI) and PTT –

Banyong said bribery was a large and expanding industry that involved many people who were earning their living as “coordinators” in the sale of goods to state agencies

Based on a reported 8-per-cent commission rate, the bribery industry in Thailand could be worth Bt200 billion

as the expenses of state firms amounted to over Bt2 trillion annually, he said.

“The bribery process stretches very far. It is not only involving state enterprises but it has always existed in state

agencies and continues to expand because no one has ever been caught,” Banyong said.

“[If you ask me] if the industry disappeared with the coup d’etat, this is a question that I won’t answer.”

more ?Bt200-bn bribery industry? forces Thailand to fall on corruption index

Originally Posted by misskit

“[If you ask me] if the industry disappeared with the coup d’etat, this is a question that I won’t answer.”

...not if you want to keep breathing...

Thai Prime Minister Quotes Astrologers Message after Graft Ranking Tumbles

BANGKOK – Thailand’s Military imposed Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has appealed for no judgement to be passed on the regime’s ability to tackle graft after it failed to improve the country’s latest corruption ranking.

The prime minister said that overall the country’s rankings in several criteria “were not all that bad”. Some of them have improved, while others have gone down and a series of recent corruption scandals involving Thailand had occurred in the past.

Gen Prayut told the Thai Media that anti-graft bodies have also launched their own inquiries and he had never stood in the way of their investigations.

He cited astrological predictions that things that have been concealed will all be revealed.

“Fortune-tellers said that it is the year of exposing the truth, but I am not concerned about it as I am always ready for scrutiny,” Gen Prayut told the Bangkok Post.

“When any information has been revealed, inquiries must be carried out. But don’t try to dwell too much on it. We have to consider both positives and negative impacts.”
He said that fortune-tellers also predicted that “bad guys will be punished this year”.

“Therefore, be good and follow the principles of moral conduct, work for the country, stay away from corruption,” the prime minister said.

more Thai Prime Minister Quotes Astrologers Message after Graft Ranking Tumbles | Chiang Rai Times English Language Newspaper

Originally Posted by misskit

He cited astrological predictions

Particularly the one predicting that when the moon is in the Seventh House and Jupiter aligns with Mars, then peace will guide the nation and love will steer the cash. This is the dawning of the Age of Nefarious...

Just for a laugh:-

"My government has shown by action, that it is fully committed to fighting corruption. Judge us by our deeds, not by how we came to power. We are strengthening the freedom of information Act, we have passed the ease of doing business law, we are considering participation in the Open Government Partnership and membership in the World Trade Organisation’s Government Procurement Agreement, in order to improve transparency and freedom of information which are crucial in the fight against corruption. We have initiated steps to become a candidate and ultimately a compliant country in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which is a global standard to promote open and accountable management of natural resources. We have already mandated construction sector transparency (CoST) in large government projects. We have removed or transferred all government officials with pending corruption cases, to allow investigations to be carried out without fear or intimidation.

I am not a politician, and I do not seek popularity. Some measures that we have undertaken are unpopular because it cuts into old ties, bad habits, personal agendas and egos, and in particular, corrupt networks. But we are interested in building the anti-corruption infrastructure, not just day-to-day fixes. And this requires a stable environment where policies and measures can take shape. Ideas for reform have come from all sectors of the population, and are being digested. Many reforms would involve a major overhaul of long-established systems. In the current situation, some strong measures may be needed, but they are part of the design to achieve a full-fledged democracy with proper checks and balances.

We are committed to the rule of law, and a just and moral society.

We fully support NACC’s efforts in meeting the complex challenge, not only of investigating corruption cases, but also of strengthening the national governance systems. Sound policies need to be based on evidence and sound evidence comes from research. I am pleased that members of the NACC are not confining themselves to day-to-day investigation no matter how important, but are building capacity through research and data management as well. This conference moves the NACC forward in this important challenge, and it is my hope that concrete policy recommendations will result."
Full Speech- Speech by General Prayut Chan-ocha, Prime Minister of Thailand in the 3rd Conference on Evidence-Based Anti-Corruption Policy (CEBAP 3).