Poll: Graft the most serious problem

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Poll: Graft the most serious problem

Published: 20/11/2009 at 04:21 PM
Online news: Local News

The majority of the Thai people in general and businessmen see the problem of corruption in Thai society as most serious, according to the results of Abac Poll.

Noppadon Kannika, the poll director, said the survey was part of a joint research on corruption in the public sector of by Assumption University and the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission. Pollsters surveyed the views of 2,129 people -- comprising the general public, businessmen and members of parliament.

A clear majority, 59.2 per cent of the general public and 65.1 per cent of business operators, said corruption was the most serious problem in Thai society.

He said 39.8 per cent of the members public said they had paid bribes or under-the-table money to state officials, while 50.6 per cent of business operators said they did the same.

Both groups said the kickbacks were mostly paid to police, followed by land and district officials.

What was of great concern was that 28.4 per cent of House members and 30.2 per cent of senators polled were of the opinion that corruption was nothing unusual when running a business, said the poll director.

Moreover, 26.5 per cent of House members and 15.4 per cent of senators polled said all governments were corrupt and they did not mind as long as this practice brought brought about development and a better livelihood for the people.

Mr Kannika said most of the respondents suggested that the government and state agencies be ready for examination by the people.

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isan farang

Discussion 19 : 21/11/2009 at 04:36 AM19
The Thai media needs to be much more active and aggressive in chasing down the corrupt.A tv programme should be made where police,government officials,army officers,politicians and business people are secretly filmed and then the footage is shown.There have been many examples in the west and police stings are often shown.
However the laws of Thailand benefit the corrupt as some of the most corrupt are making these laws.
ricefieldradio

Discussion 18 : 21/11/2009 at 02:23 AM18
the way it is and others - The way to stamp out corruption is for you to not allow it no mater what the personal consequences and that goes for showing, not just telling, your kids that it is wrong. If you pay the traffic cop then you are part of the problem, if you pay the land office you are part of the problem, if you pay to get a concession you are part of the problem. Until we all take personal responsibility and say no to graft and corruption the problem will continue.

It took 20 years to get recycling into the mainstream we did it by educating our kids who educated us. We need so many things in this country less corruption is just one of them, better education nationwide is even more important IMHO.
the way it is

Discussion 17 : 21/11/2009 at 12:19 AM17
I have a few comments for the posters here #1. Kelly - if the UN were to oversee elections and cheaters get 20yr jails terms...there will not be enough prisons to fill those cheaters. #2. Only china executes their corrupt and yet corruption is widespread all over china, i say no jail terms just exection for those corrupt...but then maybe we will not have enough bullets to shoot all the corrupt people. the best thing is to hand down death sentences to those grossly corrupted and as for the policeman of thailand, just run them down with our cars...for they deserve to be like the dirt on the road...maybe we need vigilante groups to start bumping them off or drug suspects to gun them down...IMO the police are worse than the mafia's
DDuck

Discussion 16 : 20/11/2009 at 11:09 PM16
Glyn, you're quite right about the shamefull expenses scandal of UK MP's. The money involved was relatively small, exposure and public pressure put a stop to it and most I understand paid the money back.
Now compare that with Thailand, money involved is HUGE, it won't stop and have you ever heard of anyone being ashamed or paying anything back, fat chance.
DDuck

Discussion 15 : 20/11/2009 at 10:23 PM15
I don't know anything about index futures trading but there have certainly been plenty of reports about stock market manipulation since I've been here.
MMouse

Discussion 14 : 20/11/2009 at 10:20 PM14
I have lived, worked and travelled in many countries in Asia and Europe, Thailand is the only country where I have been stopped by policemen wanting money to put in their pockets.
Thailand is the only country I know where top officials are rotated every year so they can get a slice of the pie.
While corruption does exist almost everywhere there are few places where it is so endemic that it affects almost everybody.
As for corruption in banking I suggest pointman learn a little about Mr.Saxena who I believe is something of an expert on the matter.
I'm also pretty sure that there are quite a few top dogs with apparently low salaries living in huge mansions, driving top of the range Benz's who no doubt would sneer at $330 an hour when all their scams and rackets mean they don't even have to work for it.
Consider also Pointman the difference in cost of living and of course people in the US and Europe need higher salaries. I wonder who pays you pointman as you constantly sound like a government spokesman trying to sweep problems and uncomfortable truths under the carpet. We have an independent analysis putting Thailand in 84th place and getting worse in the world. Why on earth should anyone listen to Pointmans rosy perceptions from afar.
Glyn

Discussion 13 : 20/11/2009 at 09:42 PM13
Every country is corrupt some more than others look at the UK MPs creaming over the top expenses. At least the Thais are open about their corruption. I do agree that it should be stopped but it never will.

Power corrupts absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Amazing

Discussion 12 : 20/11/2009 at 08:37 PM12
Pointman, I lived in USA 64 years, never been ripped off like here in Thailand. I will be the first to stand up and tell you about the bad in USA, but this story is about Thailand. I never had a bank in USA charge me 150 baht every time I used their ATM. I never heard of a hospital in USA sending patients home with IV needles still in their arm so the royalty would not see the over crowding, but it happend in Chiang Rai
Just agree with the story dont go on a wild rampage about some other country.
Pointman #2

Discussion 11 : 20/11/2009 at 08:01 PM11
Discussion 9: MMouse, The article IS about corruption in Thailand. The POINT is, corruption is bad everywhere, not just in Thailand. In fact, I find Thailand, to be less-corrupt han a lot of more-advanced countries. How many banks in Thailand, has the government had to bail out? How many Thai people are invoved in Index futures trading, ripping off the consumer and driivng up oil prices? How many Thai Government people are getting paid $330.00 an hour? Since when did a lower spine operation cost $250,000 in Thailand? You see, the truth is, Thailand isn't nearly, as crooked as some would like to suggest.
Steve

Discussion 10 : 20/11/2009 at 07:42 PM10
Those figures for MPs and Senators are truly shameful - though not exactly a shock. The first figures for "corruption was nothing unusual" make you wonder if they were just being realistic - "it exists whether I find it acceptable or not".

Then you get your answer from the second figures - 26.5% of MPs and 15.4% of Senators "did not mind as long as this practice brought about development and a better livelihood for the people". Does it not occur to them that there is LESS development and a WORSE livelihood for the people because of corruption? Just what planet are they on?

Returning to the first figures.....so, about 70% of MPs and Senators are under the illusion that corruption IS unusual when running a Thai business? Just what planet are THEY on? Do they ever talk to people in business?

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Poll: Graft the most serious problem