Thailand is likely to earn a better transparency ranking if those allegedly involved in a bribery scandal of engineering giant Rolls-Royce are punished, says Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong.
The Finance Ministry, Thai Airways International Plc's (THAI) major shareholder, has instructed the national carrier to launch an investigation into the issue, he said.
The probe should not be difficult as information provided by the British Serious Fraud Office (SFO) contains specific dates and the amount of the bribes, said Mr Apisak.
The SFO recently revealed 12 counts in which Rolls-Royce had engaged in corrupt acts or failed to prevent bribery in seven countries -- Indonesia, Thailand, India, Russia, Nigeria, China and Malaysia.
The bribery case in Thailand involved the purchase of engines for THAI aircraft. Rolls-Royce admitted to bribing agents of the Thai state and employees of THAI. Spanning from 1991 to 2005, the scandal involves kickbacks totalling 1.28 billion baht, which were allegedly paid to help the British firm secure deals with the carrier.
The SFO's report also alleged that Rolls-Royce bribed officials at the national oil and gas conglomerate, PTT Plc, and its subsidiary, PTT Exploration and Production Plc, to purchase power generators and equipment from between 2000-13.