EDITORIAL
Transparency International, the global civil society organisation leading the fight against the scourge of corruption, has upgraded Thailand's ranking in its latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Out of the 180 countries surveyed, Thailand scored 3.5 points and was ranked 80th, four places better than last year's 84th ranking.
But the slight improvement is no cause for rejoicing or optimism. The below-par points scored, 3.5 out of a total 10, stands as a glaring testimony that the country remains in the same category as those underdeveloped and developing countries which have failed to address the problem of corruption.
According to the secretary-general of Transparency Thailand, Juree Vichit-Vadakan, the improvement was attributable to the success of the independent organisations such as the Assets Scrutiny Commission and the National Counter Corruption Commission in investigating and prosecuting corrupt politicians. Also, during the period when the survey was undertaken, Thailand was administered by an interim government led by an honest prime minister, Gen Surayud Chulanont, and mostly comprised respectable bureaucrats. The absence of career politicians infamous for their insatiable appetite for power and money also contributed to the improved situation.
The improved CPI rating, although appreciated, should not fool us into complacency that we are on the right course in the effort to stem corruption and that the situation will get better in the future. Had the TI conducted a survey during the tenure of the Samak government, the results might have been more disappointing.
As the new government under the leadership of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat is about to assume office, there is widespread concern that corrupt politicians will seize the opportunity to implement lucrative projects, especially mega infrastructure projects, to quickly enrich themselves or their parties, in preparation for the next election, knowing that the new government will not last long. Such concern is not without basis, given the massive corruption scandals involving infrastructure projects which took place during the Thaksin regime.
It comes as little surprise that the cabinet line-up has been greeted with a sense of resignation by the business community. Despite the claim by Prime Minister Somchai that his cabinet ministers are qualified, the opinion of the general public and business leaders is vastly different. The economic team, for instance, is a total let-down. Aside from Olarn Chaipravat, who is tipped to be deputy prime minister in charge of economic matters, the rest of the team - such as Suchart Thadathamrongvej who is tipped to be appointed the finance minister - are, at best, amateurs. Their capability to deal with economic affairs, particularly the new challenges posed by the fallout from the contagious US financial crisis, is in serious doubt.
Corruption has never been seriously recognised as a major problem and has thus always been ignored by successive governments since the Thaksin regime, which was plagued with massive corruption; the ex-premier himself has been implicated in several graft cases.
Good governance has always been treated with disdain by corrupt politicians. With several unqualified and tainted figures in the new cabinet, and with the bleak prediction that the government is likely to last only a couple of months, it is doubtful Mr Somchai will achieve anything of significance, let alone fight corruption.
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