Thailand struggles against tide of corruption

Abhisit vows not to tolerate corruption

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has reaffirmed he would rather risk his political survival than condone corruption.

In replying to an opposition's query raised from the House floor Thursday, Abhisit said he stood by his ethical standard, known as the nine iron rules, designed to ensure a clean government. He tried to dispel lingering doubts that he might turn blind to irregularities allegedly linked to ministers from Bhum Jai Thai Party.

"I have always enforced what is known as my iron rules and will not compromise my standard for the sake of saving my government," he said.

The query filed by Pheu Thai MP Chavalit Vichayasuthi cited three graft cases in the Interior Ministry to claim the prime minister's reluctance to sack the ministers involved.

nationmultimedia.com

Unity of coalition faces fresh threat

Bhumjaithai angered by computer lease row
16/10/2010

Chavarat Charnvirakul is being pressured to step down as interior minister over the computer leasing controversy.

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Chavarat: Under pressure to quit

Newin Chidchob, de facto leader of the Democrats' major coalition partner the Bhumjaithai Party, is upset that an anti-graft inquiry into the scandal has implicated Mr Chavarat who is the official Bhumjaithai leader.

A source said Mr Newin was curious to know why the ruling Democrat Party appeared so keen to see the Department of Special Investigation conclude its inquiry.

The DSI's report has found links between the interior minister and his two close aides, Thani Samartkij and Saksayam Chidchob, Mr Newin's younger brother, and alleged irregularities in the 3.49 billion baht computer leasing scheme of the Provincial Administration Department.

The DSI is supervised by the Justice Ministry, which is overseen by the Democrats.

Four senior interior officials have been implicated in the alleged irregularities. They are Thirawat Wutthikhun, director of the finance division, Kongekwilat Rujiwattanapong, the Provincial Administration Department's deputy director general, interior permanent secretary Manit Wattanasen, and Mongkol Surasajja, the department's director-general.

Mr Mongkol, who is close to the Bhumjaithai Party, was nominated as the new interior permanent secretary, but his appointment was put on hold by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva following the scandal.

The DSI's investigation summary will be presented to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

NACC secretary-general Apinan Issarangkul said his agency will consider the DSI's report next week.

The source said Mr Newin insisted there was no reason to hurry the case along. But given the apparent haste, Mr Newin has questioned the Democrats' sincerity in keeping the Bhumajthai Party as a coalition partner.

"I wish to know how your party and ours can carry on.

"If our party leader is bruised and battered, it will be difficult for us to stick around. It's the end," Mr Newin was quoted as telling Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban in a telephone conversation yesterday.

Mr Suthep was in Surat Thani to canvass for votes in the Oct 30 by-election in the province.

Wilat Chantarapitak, chairman of the House committee on anti-corruption, said Mr Abhisit responded to an interpellation in parliament on Thursday and insisted he would choose righteousness over the government's stability.

Mr Abhisit was replying to a query posed in the chamber about how he would handle the computer leasing controversy.

The source said a change of government would come sooner than many thought. Other sources say Mr Chavarat will be pressured to quit the interior post next week.

This would annoy his son, Anuthin, who is Bhumjaithai's power broker. He is expected to pull Bhumjaithai out of the government.

If so, the source added, the House could be dissolved after the celebrations for His Majesty the King's birthday on Dec 5.

With Bhumjaithai's withdrawal, the government would have to find a replacement.

It could bring in the "Three Ps" faction from the fragmented Puea Pandin Party, some of whose members are with the opposition. The faction is headed by veteran politicians Phinij Jarusombat, Preecha Laohapongchana and Pairote Suwanchawee.

Puea Pandin is divided. Some members support the government while others, including the Three Ps, are in the opposition.

Mr Pairote's wife, Ranongruk, previously served as information and communications technology minister.

The Three Ps faction was ejected in a previous major reshuffle after voting against Mr Chavarat and Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum, who is also a leading Bhumjaithai figure, in the recent no-confidence debate.

The removal of around 11 MPs from the faction was a penalty for the censure debate outcome.

The source said the return of the faction may not be enough to ensure a parliamentary majority for the government. It is not known how many members are loyal to the faction.

bangkokpost.com

Oh jeez....so he's not upset some of his colleagues are crooks, he's upset cos the Dem's are actually supporting an investigation into them.

Lord of the Flies meets Animal House. Squabbling kids.
Where the real power lies it's Lord of the Flies meets Animal Farm.

Former BKK governor Bhichit sued on controversial land deal

Former Bangkok governor Bhichit Rattakul was charged in the Criminal Court Wednesday over alleged irregularities behind the purchase of a plot of land by the city administration.

Public prosecutors charged that Bhichit and former City Clerk Prasert Samalapha collaborated to purchase a plot from a private firm in Bang Sue district at an inflated price. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration bought the plot for building a car park.

Prasert was charged in the Criminal Court earlier this week.

nationmultimedia.com

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/poli...land-scam-suit

Bhichit hit with land scam suit

• Published: 21/10/2010 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Former Bangkok governor Bhichit Rattakul has been indicted on charges of abuse of authority and bribery over a Bangkok Metropolitan Administration land purchase scheme.

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Bhichit: Accused of seeking bribe

The public prosecutor yesterday accused Mr Bhichit in a lawsuit filed with the Criminal Court of colluding with others in a scam which caused the BMA serious damage.

He was also accused of demanding bribes.

The lawsuit states that Mr Bhichit ordered authorities between Dec 1995 and Sept 1997 to buy several blocks of land in Bang Sue district for development into a parking area for the BMA's garbage trucks, water trucks and other vehicles.

The accused decided to buy the land through a special method in which just one proposal, from land owners Supoj and Sunee Manomaipan, was considered, the suit states.

Mr Bhichit approved the purchase of the 11 rai of land for 270 million baht and authorised then Bang Sue district chief Chuan Pattanawaranon to sign the purchase contract.

The public prosecutor claimed the BMA bought the land at a highly inflated price of 36.8 million baht more than the market price.

The lawsuit also alleged Mr Bhichit demanded 18 million baht in bribes from the land owners and their broker, Chusak Sriprasert.

The Criminal Court accepted the lawsuit and scheduled the first hearing for Dec 13.

Mr Bhichit was released on 500,000 baht bail and did not speak to reporters after hastily leaving the courtroom.

The Criminal Court accepted a lawsuit filed on Monday against former city clerk Prasert Samalapa in connection with the Bang Sue land scheme.

DSI charges three over bid rigging


DSI charges three over bid rigging


By The Nation
Published on October 22, 2010

The Department of Special Investigation indicted three people yesterday for allegedly rigging bids related to a school milk project between Chiang Mai administrative bodies and local schools.



The roles and affiliations of the suspects, Sophon Jaijan, Insom Narata and Natthaphoom Khankham, have not been defined, while the organisations cited in the indictment are several Tambon Administration Organisations and tambon municipalities in Chom Thong, Omkoi, Hot and Doi Tao districts.

The men's action in the school milk project violated an antibid rigging law and resulted in the schools paying Bt7,321,121 more than the actual rates.

Meanwhile, a session in the House saw Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga defending Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's handling of corruption cases in an interpellation raised by an opposition MP.

Pheu Thai MP Prasit Chaiwirattana asked why Abhisit did little to probe GT200 explosives detection device or the airship scandal, but had taken drastic action against a rotten canned fish corruption scandal. Pirapan responded that the GT200 and airship matters had taken place long before this government came into power, but Abhisit was still scrutinising the cases, while the minister responsible for the canned fish story had initiated his own resignation.

Separately, the Senate has called for strict checking of emergency funds being spent following corruption that is being investigated by the Office of Public Sector AntiCorruption Commission.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datab...medium=twitter

https://teakdoor.com/images/imported/2010/10/981.jpg
Corruption index 2010 from Transparency International: Members of Burma's military junta, one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Photograph: David Longstreath/AP The Corruption Index is always controversial. And it's out today.


Transparency International's 2009 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is the world's most credible measure of of domestic, public sector corruption.
The CPI scores countries on a scale of zero to 10, with zero indicating high levels of corruption and 10, low levels. And the most corrupt places in the world are not the most surprising. Unstable governments, often with a legacy of conflict, continue to dominate the bottom rungs of the CPI. Afghanistan and Myanmar share second to last place with a score of 1.4, with Somalia coming in last with a score of 1.1.
The world's most peaceful countries score the best. In the 2010 CPI, Denmark, New Zealand and Singapore tie for first place with scores of 9.3.

Country Rank Country / Territory CPI 2010 Score CPI 2009 Score CPI 2008 Score


78......................Thailand...............3.5 .................. 3.4................... 3.5

Bangkok Post : Thailand scores high in corrupt list

Thailand scores high in corrupt list

• Published: 26/10/2010 at 05:03 PM
• Online news: Breakingnews

Thailand ranks 9th in Asia and 78th in the world in this year's corruption index released by Transparency Thailand on Tuesday.

The kingdom scored 3.5 out of 10 in the honesty rankings, which range from zero for highly corrupt to 10 for very clean.

Last year, Thailand was ranked 10th of 23 countries in Asia and 87th of 178 countries in the world, showing some improvement.

Denmark, New Zealand and Singapore were the least corrupt countries in the world with a score of 9.3, followed by Finland and Sweden with 9.2.

Somalia was the most corrupt country with a score of 1.1. Above it on the list were Burma 1.4, Afghanistan 1.4 and Iraq 1.5.

This year Thailand is the host of 14th international meeting against corruption entitled "Restoring Trust: Global Action for Transparency" on Nov 10-13 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.

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Originally Posted by Mid

Analysis: Thailand struggles against tide of corruption

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If the truth were known I expect it is more like a token wriggle.

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Originally Posted by Thaihome

Worth noting that this rise in police salaries and lowering of corruption has only taken place in the last 30 years or so. It was not long ago that many police depts in the US were notorious for corruption.

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Okay, that's TH on the record that paying civil servants a decent wage will not only attract professionals but is desirable. Thirty years of reduced corruption in the US police forces is proof-positive.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/bangko...orrupt-part-ii

Now, Thaksin gone, is Thailand becoming less corrupt? Part II

Oct. 26 2010 - 07:17 pm
In an update to the previous post just over a week ago, Transparency International have released the 2010 Corruption Perception Index. The CPI gives a score out of 10 and the higher the CPI the less corrupt a country is perceived to be. Below is a chart showing Thailand's CPI ofr the last 11 years together with the data:

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In 1999, the CPI was 3.2.
In 2000, the CPI was 3.2.
In 2001, the CPI was 3.2.
In 2002, the CPI was 3.2.
In 2003, the CPI was 3.3.
In 2004, the CPI was 3.6.
In 2005, the CPI was 3.8.
In 2006, the CPI was 3.6.
In 2007, the CPI was 3.3.
In 2008, the CPI was 3.5 (also see XLS here)
In 2009, the CPI was 3.4.
In 2010, the CPI was 3.5 (PDF)

BP: Things have improved slightly from last year, but Thailand is in the same position as 2008 and still below its peak number of 3.8 in 2005. Did the coup really help improve things?

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Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Did the coup really help improve things?

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Of course not , never do .

Interesting that the improvements mirror the Thaksin years - given how 'corrupt' everyone said he was (and of course he was).

More interesting still is how the inverse is true in military spending. During Thaksin years it was on the decline, after the coup 'up it went'.

http://www.transparency-thailand.org...d=16&Itemid=37

Ten Myths about Corruption in Thailand

1) Corruption exists everywhere and is an incurable problem. It will always be there.

Diseases happen everywhere, but humans still try to find preventions and cures. The problem of corruption is much the same- only trying to prevent and correct mistakes will lead to change.

2) Corruption is a basic instinct in humans, who are naturally greedy.

Corruption is an act that can be controlled. One can make the decision not to be corrupt. All human beings want to live in societies in which they will have equal chances and be judged fairly, not on how much they can afford to bribe.

3) The idea of corruption is based on cultural interpretation. What is called corruption in one society is not called corruption in another.

We all know what is right and wrong, cultural interpretation is only an excuse for an incorrect action. While some cultures involve more gift-giving than others, and have developed at different speeds and in different ways, no culture wants unfairness or the exploitation of power for personal gain and selfish ends.

4) A sustainable cure for corruption is very difficult because changing people’s attitudes towards corruption takes a long time.

If there is no start in changing this then the problem of corruption will become more deeply embedded and is likely to cause further social breakdown.

5) Corruption is the grease in the economy and ensures smoothness in management and business practice.

Corruption is only ever a way to fix one’s business problems by making more problems. The true faults in the system and in behaviour must be fixed. This is not possible if bribes are being paid.

6) Everybody is involved in corruption, including all politicians. Politicians can be corrupt as long as they work hard and do good for their society.

Corruption involves taking advantage of other people and betraying trust. It means taking advantage of one’s powers to the detriment of all. When politicians engage in corruption they are stealing money that belongs to the people of Thailand. To be corrupt is to do bad, not good.

7) We will never be able to fix the problem of corruption without political will, if our leaders are themselves corrupt.

Even though corruption needs political will, people power will be the true catalyst for change, with or without help from the top.

8) It is alright to be corrupt because it does not effect our lives directly, and everyone can go about their business as usual.

Corruption harms all of us. It makes society less fair and damages investment, the economy, law enforcement, the environment, health services, politics and all spheres of life.

9) Solving the problem of corruption is not our business, so don’t go looking for trouble.

Corruption is everyone’s business. By not paying a bribe when asked to, or by showing distain for people who are who are corrupt, we will all help to make things better.

10) Paying bribes makes business grow and gives people an advantage over their competitors.

Corrupt practice weakens business systems, creates unfair monopolies and rewards cheats. A fair and efficient economy must have fair, clean and equal competition between businesses.

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Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

6) Everybody is involved in corruption, including all politicians. Politicians can be corrupt as long as they work hard and do good for their society.

Corruption involves taking advantage of other people and betraying trust. It means taking advantage of one’s powers to the detriment of all. When politicians engage in corruption they are stealing money that belongs to the people of Thailand. To be corrupt is to do bad, not good.

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..and not just politicians - the bureaucrats and the military are in there too. The money they take for their Benz's and their kids' university education abraod, is money that should have gone to basic services like education, healthcare and civic infrastructure for the entire population. I hope the few 'hi-so' educated Thais reading this feel just a bit guilty about where daddy might have found the money to send them to school abroad. Most couldn't care less, I'm sure - and that makes them just as guilty.

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Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

7) We will never be able to fix the problem of corruption without political will, if our leaders are themselves corrupt.

Even though corruption needs political will, people power will be the true catalyst for change, with or without help from the top.

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..and that is exactly what the present establishment fears the most - not Thaksin - but an uprising of the people to end this disgraceful corrupt amat-military system.

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Originally Posted by Tom Sawyer

Interesting that the improvements mirror the Thaksin years - given how 'corrupt' everyone said he was (and of course he was).

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it also means what we mean by corruption ? without precise definition, it can mean anything. Does monopolizing corruption is a sign of less corruption ? in relative terms, it might be, but not in absolute terms.

http://www.tannetwork.tv/tan/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1036605

The Image of Corruptions in Thailand

UPDATE : 27 October 2010

The Transparency Thailand, a branch organization of the Transparency International, has announced that Thailand has scored 3.5 out of 10 on the Corruption Perceptions Index in 2010. Thailand ranked 78th out of 178 countries participated in the survey.

The Transparency International has been conducting the survey for the past 16 years since 1995. During the past 10 years since 2001, Thailand had scored anything from 3.2 to 3.8, but never higher than 4. The country had the lowest score of 3.2 in 2002 and the highest in 2005 with the score of 3.8.

From November 10 to 13, Thailand will host the 14th International Anti-Corruption Conference under the topic “Restoring Trust: Global Action for Transparency”, to be held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok.

By looking at the Corruption Perceptions Index surveys conducted in the last 16 years, The countries who are the top 5 scorers have many similarities: relatively small in size and population, economically developed. These countries are New Zealand, Denmark, Singapore, Sweden and Switzerland.

Also by looking further down five to six spots on the ranking table, there are Finland, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada, Iceland and Norway. Somewhat similar to the top 5 countries, these countries have small-sized populations or abundant natural resources. Most of them are also producers of high-valued products such as Canada and Australian. As a result, their citizens have relatively higher incomes.

Meanwhile in Thailand, each of the lower ranked civil servants, state and private employees has income between 8,000 to 15,000 baht per month. This may be insufficient given the current cost of living which has resulted in widespread corruptions.

Those in power including the politicians and the executives should analyze and review this problem. They must try to raise the average income for the people of all classes. Perhaps once the people have enough to live by, the corruption problems in our country could be lowered as in other developed nations. It is a possibility.

Taken from Editorial Section, Naewna Newspaper, Page 3, October 27, 2010.
Translated and Rewritten by Kongkrai Maksrivorawan

Please note that the views expressed in our "Analysis" segment are translated from local newspaper articles and do not reflect the views of the Thai-ASEAN News Network.

^
What a fecking funny response from the idiots at PAD Central!

Why I think Butters should go over there to Phra Atit and pull that little bitch's hair, no?
:rofl:

http://asiancorrespondent.com/bangko...foreign-policy

Thaksin's Laywer in Foreign Policy

Oct. 28 2010 - 06:00 am
Earlier this month in an article in Foreign Policy, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was called one of the top five bad exes. Foreign Policy have published a rebutal by Thaksin's lawyer Robert Amsterdam. Aside from the normal strident defense and glossing over of any wrongs by Thaksin, Amsterdam does make a few good points. Key excerpt:

Ever since the coup, the country has been backsliding on nearly every measurement of freedom of speech, civic, and human rights. For instance, Thailand slipped from the rank of 59 to 84 on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index between 2005 and 2009. Just yesterday, Reporters Without Borders ranked Thailand 153rd in its annual "World Press Freedom" index; before the coup, Thailand was ranked 66th. And yet, faced with the reality of Thailand's deplorable descent into authoritarianism, certain sections of the foreign media can still be convinced that things were so much worse back when Thaksin was prime minister and the country was still a democracy.

Reporters Without Borders report for 2010:

Political violence has produced some very troubling tumbles in the rankings. Thailand (153rd) – where two journalists were killed and some fifteen wounded while covering the army crackdown on the “red shirts” movement in Bangkok – lost 23 places,

BP: So one would expect some improvement next year if there is no political violence and no journalists killed or injured. Then again, with continued and expanding censorship of the internet (and arrests as well), it seems unlikely that Thailand will vault into the top 100 anytime soon.

Graft agency checks flood cash
30/10/2010

PACC teams will head to ravaged provinces

A graft busting agency will step up its investigations into claims of corruption in the relief effort as billions of baht pour into flood-ravaged provinces.

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Wat Kasattrathirat Woraviharn by the Chao Phraya River in Ayutthaya’s Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district is protected from flooding by an embankment of sand bags. Villagers living around the temple take turns watching the water level around the clock. The temple and many religious sanctuaries in the centre of the old capital are under threat from flooding while other historical attractions have already been submerged.
SOMCHAI POOMLARD

Ampol Wongsiri, deputy secretary-general of the Public Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), yesterday said five teams of investigators would head to flood-hit provinces to ensure transparency in flood relief spending.

Their focus will be on provinces that require funds of 50-100 million baht as emergency assistance for flood victims.

A recent PACC investigation found that less than 10% of disaster relief funds reached those in need.

It also found that most flood relief projects worth more than 92 million baht were tainted with irregularities. Out of 373 randomly checked flood projects, 274 had irregularities costing the state more than 50 million baht, Mr Ampol said.

"There are complaints about distribution of relief supplies, but we're not concentrating on that. The PACC will look into the allocation of budget to see if it is in line with regulations and meets victims' needs," he said.

The cabinet on Oct 19 approved an increase of emergency funds to each flood-hit province to 100 million baht from 50 million baht.

Floods have devastated 38 provinces though the situation in 11 has eased, according to the Interior Ministry's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

Floods have claimed 94 lives in 20 provinces since Oct 10, according to the Emergency Medical Institute.

Mr Ampol said community organisations are welcome to launch a parallel inspection to ensure transparency in the relief effort.

After the government's fresh relief measure to allocate 5,000 baht to each flood-affected household, observers are calling for the setting up of a database of flood victims and of a local committee to supervise cash hand-outs.

Suthep Chuchaiya, chairman of Tambon Taling Chan Administrative Organisation in Ayutthaya, said the database is needed to ensure the money goes to those in need.

He suggested the state should cross-check information with village heads, tambon chiefs and administrative organisations before cash distribution.
"Forming a local committee to draw up the list of victims and register them is also a practical idea. It will ensure those who need help get it," he said.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva earlier said the government would not allocate money to flood victims through local administrative bodies.

Pira Tangchuthaweesap, chairman of the kamnans and village heads association in the Central region, said money should be distributed through district offices. He said local politicians tend to attend to the needs of their supporters before those of others.

PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey said yesterday that the government had opted to pay cash because many flood victims do not have bank accounts. They would be required to present house registration documents or a letter of certification from kamnans or village heads.

The Council of Economic Ministers is scheduled to meet on Monday to discuss the format of payment and further flood relief measures.

The Agriculture Ministry and the Education Ministry are working out proposals to alleviate the hardship of farmers and students.

Compensation for damaged crops and delay of tuition fee payments or dormitory rental fees may be raised during Monday's meeting.

bangkokpost.com


quickly now , how do we hang this one on Thaksin ? :rolleyes:

.

^
They don't need to. They are trying to get everyone to give money via the State-controlled media and the Army, so of course they can be seen as "delivering" help.

Apparently more money is being distributed by Red groups, though the Govt has been trying to shut down the collection points in BKK.

As much as the local police piss me off for checking if they can fine you for something every five minutes I cant help but think if we were born here we'd be doing the exact same thing ! I worked in insurance in the u.k before living out here and used to rip people off every day by spurting some official crap regarding what they needed to have which was pure bollocks,Maybe us brits are just a bit better
at hiding the the fact we are ripping you off !

Anti-graft project aims to "shut the door to corruption"

Anti-graft project aims to "shut the door to corruption"

By Piyanart Srivalo
The Nation
Published on November 4, 2010

The public and private sectors will next week sign an "integrity pact" aimed at eventually stamping out the country's chronic corruption problem.

The agreement will be signed by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva representing the public sector, the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) from the private sector, and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on November 10.

The signing will mark the start of the International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC), Thosaporn Sirisumphand, secretary-general of the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC) said yesterday.

The 14th IACC, with the theme of "restoring trust: global action for transparency", takes place at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre on November 10 to 13. More than 1,500 participants from at least 135 countries are expected to attend, including heads of state, academics, and civil society, business, and government representatives.

Thosaporn yesterday said the pact was jointly prepared by the OPDC, the TCC, and the NACC. The agreement calls for future bidding for state projects to be implemented transparently and honestly. The public sector will agree not to demand bribes from bidding companies; and the private sector will agree not to offer bribes to boost their chances of winning a deal. Future bidding will be examined by a third party to ensure transparency.

The OPDC's idea for an integrity pact, which promotes the roles of the private sector and civil society in the fight against corruption, was endorsed by Cabinet on August 31, according to Thosaporn.

He said the project would be implemented in two phases. In the first, between November 11 and December 4, each government ministry would select one department with a high risk of irregularities to come into the project. Private companies would also be invited to take part.

Also, laws and regulations will be amended to increase transparency in the state procurement process, incentives offered to participating businesses, and mechanisms set up - such as the introduction of a public scrutiny and independent assessor system and "certificate of corruption free".

In the second phase, expected early in 2012, all state agencies and private companies involved in the procurement process will be covered. Businesses will be required to publicly disclose details about any procurement deals they win.

"It's time for companies and the private sector to join this project. They should no longer commit sins or damage the country by paying bribes. This project is a show of social responsibility and I hope it will shut the door to corruption. I don't know if it will be successful 100 per cent, but at least we are creating a network of people who do good deeds," he said.

Kobkarn Wattanawarangkura, deputy secretary-general of the TCC, yesterday expressed support for the anti-graft project, saying he expected it to help reduce corruption to an extent.

"This is a good beginning and it will lead to an expansion in the future. Most corruption cases involve procurement bidding by state agencies. I think this project will help reduce corruption somewhat. Both the public and private sectors want transparency and the private sector hopes corruption suppression will be a national agenda," she said.

Kobkarn said such a move against a chronic problem can expect obstacles. However, she pointed to eventual success in Hong Kong and South Korea, where corruption had been a serious problem in the past.

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Originally Posted by Agent_Smith

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wefearourdespot

the USA have taken corruption to the next step, making it legal by law.

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Which laws, exactly? Unlike Thailand, corruption is frowned upon in the US and prosecuted when detected. Do you really think that we could achieve such a high level of day to day functionality (and maintain a large middle class) if corruption were as endemic as in Thailand?

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Absolutely agree! When it's widely accepted to pay off the cop to look the other way there is no real law enforcement. Most often, the Thai cop will simply make something up so that he can get a few quick baht to "look the other way". Try offering 99% of the cops in the U.S. a few dollars to look the other way and you're cuffed and taken to jail very quickly.