Businesses demand war against graft

It's a cancer that will kill the nation, they say

Published: 2/06/2011 at 09:10 AM
Newspaper section: News

More than 20 private organisations yesterday announced a concerted drive to force political parties to treat corruption more seriously, warning they would take matters into their own hands if need be.

Ahead of the July 3 election, a meeting of the groups said it was prepared to establish an independent body to fight corruption.

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About the author

: Writer: Nareerat Wiriyapong; Position: Business Reporter

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banmebkk
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Discussion 15 : 02/06/2011 at 03:14 PM15
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I think its safe to say corruption is rampant in both competing parties, so its useless to keep on bringing up if its a fail or success under any party. It has always been a fail with no improvements. With that said, the thing we need to focus on is how they will improve and have more transparency and how they will fight it.
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banphai
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Discussion 14 : 02/06/2011 at 02:10 PM14
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In February last year Abhisit announced an investigation into the procurement of the notorious GT200 devices by the army. We seem to be still waiting for the outcome or, indeed, any progress report.
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Eric
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Discussion 13 : 02/06/2011 at 01:45 PM13
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For all those who said that Thailand courrption is doomed, I said that it can be done but will take immense effort from good leadership, commitment, political will, strong legal infrastucture and implentation. Hong Kong and Singapore are good examples that corruption can be rooted out. Both these countries have corrupt politicians, ministries, traids, trade unions etc in the past. For a start, a incorruptable strong will PM will be instrumental to drive this agenda. I look at Lee Kuan Yew as a good example of a man on a mission to change old corrupted Singapore to its present level. Similarly the British government should be credited with Hong Kong success.
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somsak
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Discussion 12 : 02/06/2011 at 12:53 PM12
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Corruption is a law by itself here. It is a industries by it's own.
It start with the top in the Government Agency which they feel they can cut the red tape. So they demand to be paid. Even when you applied for FDA Licenses which is of course stated as free service. It takes 4 to 6 months for approval. If you are lucky, if not they will throw more obstacle to de-rail for resubmition. How can we compit with the rest of the world with this hidden cost. Do not forget that Thailand have a good standing for Food related export. When due to this hidden cost manufacturer will try to over come by cutting corners and the consequences you could imagine ?
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meowmeow
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Discussion 11 : 02/06/2011 at 12:41 PM11
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I agree with Johninbkk Discussion 1. He is absolutely correct.
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bubbs
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Discussion 10 : 02/06/2011 at 11:47 AM10
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I think people should read what Aussie John has said carefully, he hits the nail on the head. Corruption is inbred and people look upon it as a way of life or even as a salary.
You only have to look who is standing elections across all parties, son/daughter of him or her, brother/sister of him or her.
Wake up people smell the roses and stop complaining, its not going to change in our lifetime and there's nothing we can do about it
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mutley
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Discussion 9 : 02/06/2011 at 11:41 AM9
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What Thailand needs is a man like Oliver Cromwell to sort out the elite;and quickly if it isn't to be left behind. As Aussie John so rightly said, the 'patronage' system is mainly to blame. Ever watched the sycophant show on TV? Ugh!
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ggh
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Discussion 8 : 02/06/2011 at 10:35 AM8
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Cleaning up corruption, like leadership, starts at the very top.
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upena
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Discussion 7 : 02/06/2011 at 10:00 AM7
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Thailand needs to stop the corruption in the government first and set the example for businesses and the Thai people. But, good luck with that.
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Aussie John
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Discussion 6 : 02/06/2011 at 08:44 AM6
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As long as Thailand's archaic 'patronage system' continues to predominate political, social and economic culture in Thailand, corruption will remain prevalent. The system has its own rules which are seemingly above the law and unaccountable for. The 'patronage system' so revered in Thailand is the root cause to the continued corruption across the kingdom. All Thais know this but due the social importance it is given within mainstream culture the majority refuse to see it for what it really is ; an unfair, corrupted system that perpetuates disparity between the classes.
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Businesses demand war against graft | Bangkok Post: news