Cops top graft list, study finds
Of state agencies, police voted 'on the take' most
- Published: 6/06/2009 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: News
The police force has topped the list of the most corrupt state agencies, according to a study funded by the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
The study was revealed at a two-day seminar on corruption suppression and prevention which ends today, organised by the national anti-graft agency.
NACC adviser Sirilaksana Khoman, a seminar panellist, cited a study on corruption by Saowanee Thairungroj, vice-rector at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.
The NACC-commissioned study looked at the attitudes of businessmen who came into contact with state agencies and politicians.
The study showed about 40% of businessmen who had experience doing business with government agencies said the police force, including highways and traffic police officers, was the most corrupt state agency.
The top five state agencies and officers that businessmen had to pay "extra money" to during the past five months of this year were the Land Department (72.22%), followed by tambon administration organisations (68.52%), provincial administration organisations (60.52%), highways and traffic police (59.08%), and local politicians and influential figures (44.76%).
State agencies where most respondents said they experienced graft include the Customs Department (12.2%) followed by tambon administration organisations (7.8%), and the Land Department (4.8%).
About 17% of respondents said they had come into contact with corrupt politicians.
According to the study, 19% of corrupt practices in the state sector involved officials thinking up unnecessary projects, 14% involved abusing inside information for personal benefits, particularly to buy land, and about 9% was related to bid collusion.
The respondents viewed that corruption in state agencies stemmed from the culture and mindset of giving and receiving kickbacks and working environments in government agencies which are conducive to graft.
Mrs Sirilaksana said that loopholes and inefficiencies in the administration of the state sector were to blame for the endemic corruption.
"The NACC has funded many studies aimed at pointing out the causes of corruption and coming up with suggestions to close the loopholes," Mrs Sirilaksana said.
The best way to combat graft was through prevention supported by the government, NACC commissioner Methi Krongkaew said, adding that research into corruption would support the anti-graft agency's preventive measures against graft.
Speaking at the seminar, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva stressed the need for all sectors of society, particularly young people, to play a part in monitoring and fighting graft.
He said the government wanted state agencies to adopt good governance in their organisations.
