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There are stories every day in the Thai
press, including the Bangkok Post, of corruption in some form or
another. Indeed, while Thailand is famous around the world for its
beautiful environment and friendly people, it is also known as a
place where corruption is rife (very common). Only last week, a
big story was reported about bribes being paid by a US company to
Thai government officials in order to accept sales of security scanning
equipment for use at the new Bangkok airport.
Many Thai people have told learning post that they like to read
the views foreigners have about Thai culture. Of course, most foreigners
who visit here do so on holiday and the vast majority leave with
a very positive view of the country. Those who live here, however,
eventually get to experience the bad side of Thai culture as well
as the good side, even if that means just reading about it in the
papers.
Discussion point
This week, we have published two types of writing that show the
opinions and experience of foreigners living in Thailand –
both on the subject of corruption. The first is from one of our
own columnists who writes his humorous opinions on topical Thai
events and experiences. The second is a letter sent to Postbag from
a man who has been living in Thailand for a while and is about to
leave.
What do you think about the opinions expressed in both pieces of
writing? Do you agree or disagree with what is being said and why?
Perhaps you could write your own pretend letter to either or both
writers, expressing your response to their views.
Writing example 1: I read
the news today, oh boy!
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It would be nice to get
through at least one breakfast without reading in the Bangkok
Post some sort of story concerning the alleged “misappropriation
of funds” by persons unknown.
Open the newspaper any day and there will be a article about
a dodgy contract, or even dodgier dealings and sharp
practices on just about any subject you wish to name – airport
security devices, school milk, forests, kindergarten toys,
jelly babies or even garbage disposal. It’s almost like it’s
a national sport and enough to make you turn to the comics
section straight away or get stuck into the crossword.
One of the first things
any new government in Thailand announces is that it will crack
down on corruption, news which is usually greeted by appropriate
yawns and stifled guffaws from the public. You
don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to conclude that over the
years the crackdowns usually end up cracking up.
Any investigations usually
get no further than interrogation of the ubiquitous
“go-between” who, of course, suffers immediate memory
loss as does everyone else involved. The case then ends up
in the “pending” file, otherwise known as the “whatever
happened to ...?” file at the Ministry of Sweeping Things
Under the Carpet. No one ever seems to go to jail and
at the very worst the odd inactive post may beckon for someone
stupid enough to get caught.
Of course bribery
has been going on all over the world for a very long time.
As 19th-century British writer Edmund Clerihew Bently so eloquently
put it:
When their lordships asked
Bacon
How many bribes he had
taken
He had at least the grace
To go red in the face.
Unfortunately, we don't
even get to see anyone going red in the face.
Returning a favour
The unique aspect of a
bribe is that it is the rare time that the giver says “thanks”
and the receiver says “don’t mention it”. Of course in Thailand
there have been bold attempts over the years to sort things
out “once and for all”. One of the more intriguing initiatives
took place a decade ago when it was announced that a special
fund would be set up to pay back people who had bribed government
officials to “get things done” – or, in some cases, not get
things done. It was not immediately clear how this was going
to be enforced in practice, but at least it sounded
sort of democratic.
It prompted images of a
stampede of ex-bribers rolling up to reclaim their
unofficial donations. The problem was that it involved so
many people it was going to lead to big queues, meaning a
lot of hanging around. Unfortunately, one of the main reasons
small-scale, under-the-table payments are made in the first
place is to avoid long queues and lengthy waits. Bribers don’t
queue.
As it looked like things
could end up with the magnificent situation of bribers offering
more bribes to speed things up in their efforts to get back
their original bribes, the scheme was hastily dropped.
By Roger Crutchley
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allege
to
state something as a fact but without giving proof
misappropriation
the
act of taking somebody else’s money or property for
yourself, especially when they have trusted you to take
care of it
sharp
clever
and dishonest
crack
down
to
try harder to prevent an illegal activity and deal more
severely with those who are caught doing it
stifle
to
prevent a feeling from being expressed
guffaw
to
laugh noisily
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interrogation
asking
somebody a lot of questions over a long period of time,
especially in an aggressive way
go-between
a
person who takes messages between one person or group
and another
pending
waiting
to be decided or settled
sweep
something under the carpet (idiom)
to try to stop people from finding out about something
wrong, illegal, embarrassing, etc.
bribe
sum
of money or something valuable that you give or offer
to somebody to persuade them to help you, especially
by doing something dishonest
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eloquent
able
to use language and express your opinions well
enforce
to
make sure that people obey a particular law or rule
in
practice
in
reality
stampede
a
situation in which a lot of people are trying to do
or achieve the same thing at the same time
hastily
quickly, in
a hurry
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Writing example 2: Any
point protesting against corruption?
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here has been quite a bit
of questioning lately as to why most Thai people don't protest
the blatant corruption and exploitation they suffer daily.
Perhaps I can shed a little light on this by way of a personal
experience.
While driving in Bangkok
on May 5 (a Buddhist holiday), I was stopped again by the
boys in brown for another imaginary infraction. After
presenting my case to the officer, and being totally ignored,
I realised how useless it is to use logic and law with the
people who wield any sort of power in this country. I was
completely without recourse. In other words, I was
helpless. I felt beat down. (Are we supposed to feel like
this? Is this part of the plan?)
I'm leaving Thailand soon
forever, but the Thai people will feel this helplessness for
the rest of their lives. I now understand why they don't protest.
Who will listen? Who will care?
BARRY SMITH
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blatant
done
in an obvious and open way
exploitation
the
fact of using a situation in order to get an advantage
for yourself
infraction
an
act of breaking a rule or law
recourse
the fact of
having to, or being able to, use something that can
provide help in a difficult situation
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