Graft worse than terror, says NACC

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CORRUPTION

Graft worse than terror, says NACC

Published: 7 Aug 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has warned that corruption and the so-called "patronage system" is a combination far more destructive to Thai society than even terrorism could be.

Speaking at an NACC anti-corruption seminar in Bangkok Monday, commissioner Wicha Mahakhun said: "As the saying by the Chinese philosopher Confucius or Master Kong goes, dishonesty is the most serious problem and hardest to resolve of all.

"Compared with corruption, terrorism is just a mischievous kid whereas corruption is a giant," he said.

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mphilips
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Discussion 30 : 07 Aug 2012 at 15.1330
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It isn't just that patronage fosters corruption. As many recent stories have shown it also puts highly incompetent people in important positions. Patronage is as Thai as Somtam though, and it is seen at every level of society and in every area.
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dao
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Discussion 29 : 07 Aug 2012 at 14.2129
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Agreed with Diss 15
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lungstib
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Discussion 28 : 07 Aug 2012 at 13.4328
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If Chalerm gets his way the NACC will soon disappear and then we won't have anyone to even mention the problem. Note I never mentioned fix it. Won't be done.
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bula
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Discussion 27 : 07 Aug 2012 at 13.3727
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raimund #24 - My comment was in response to the statement I quoted.
I still wonder this definition was from Mr Wicha or BP. It was a political statement, not a definition of patronage system. The system has evolved to be a way of life in Thailand and to minimize the negative effect, I want to find out where and how it has started and evolved. You have the right to your opinion.
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commee
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Discussion 26 : 07 Aug 2012 at 12.4526
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I don't think that terrorism is lesser of a concern than corruption or drugs, but corruption is certainly close in seriousness. If the terrorist were not killing people and attempting to break apart the country, then I would agree that corruption is the most serious problem. It is unfortunate because it causes everybody to lose faith in officials. Nobody trusts anybody, nothing is fair, and people who are able to get appointed to official positions then have the ability to gain wealth by bullying those that actually work for their money.
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dao
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Discussion 25 : 07 Aug 2012 at 12.1825
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Equality before the law would be a game changer .Stop giving people special privilege because they have a lot money .We are all people .
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raimund
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Discussion 24 : 07 Aug 2012 at 11.1924
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Dis #18 Bula, so you did the research already and found out it started as something good?
Any kind of patronage is bad for society and good for the patron.No need to make a research.Patronage is corruption on a high level.
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massein
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Discussion 23 : 07 Aug 2012 at 10.2123
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Start small with GAO gov acct office, to make all purchases, to ensure that a 100฿ hammer is the same for all agencys, including the army. are a magic wan cost the same for all agencys, not to much to ask.
When one of my daughters went to interview for a major airline after graduating from college. The first question ask was who her patron was. Of course she had none and did not get the job
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onlyme
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Discussion 22 : 07 Aug 2012 at 10.2022
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It seems that all commentators, who are usually at odds with each other, are finding a common voice in this issue. I would hope that this has a 'trickle out' effect and more voices join in demanding transparency in government contracts, position appointments and avoidance of penalties. This is truly an issue that a wise political group could capitalize on as long as they promised and delivered on controlling the corruption. As a cautionary, whoa betide any political group that uses it as a short term promise to gain control and then doesn't deliver. If you go that route you will be lost forever.
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jacksprat
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Discussion 21 : 07 Aug 2012 at 09.4721
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I had an interesting lecture from a friendly taxi driver from the North yesterday. He says (rightfully) that the biggest problem for the country is the lack of equality before the law. Poor people commit offences and go to jail. The rich and powerful - regardless of their political affiliation - are never charged or if convicted get suspended sentences. He had voted for Pheu Thai hoping they would change that, but it is obvious they are not. The average man is simply a pawn in a game played by the powerful.
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Graft worse than terror, says NACC | Bangkok Post: news