There is one particular minute that indisputably defines Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's stance on corruption.
The prime minister has looked very impressive in her government policy on this issue. She addressed it in parliament on Aug 23, 2011, with a vow to show no compromise over corrupt officials.
The government, she said back then, would be serious about cracking down on corruption in the public sector and would emphasise transparency and good governance in steering the country under her helm. The government would improve and amend laws on corruption to put an end to conflicts of interest of anybody holding important and high-ranking positions. Her strongly worded message was clear: corruption would have no place as long as she was in power.
Ms Yingluck did not stop there. She joined opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva in an event organised by the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand at Lumpini Park on Sept 25, 2011 to send a signal to the public that she was committed to clamping down on graft.
The prime minister seemed to show that she was ready to lead a campaign against corruption. The photo-op from that occasion showed Ms Yingluck and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva setting aside differences on other issues and standing side-by-side and sharing the same goal of tackling corruption.
But that was not enough for Ms Yingluck. She also joined a workshop organised by the National Anti-Corruption Commission with her deputies of the time _ Kittiratt Na-Ranong, Yongyuth Wichaidit and Gen Yutthasak Sasiprapa. Again, she stressed the same stance that corruption must be ended and transparency elevated.
"Thailand would have a much better future if corruption, its biggest threat, is rooted out," she told the forum.
If that was not enough, she had more moves on this issue. The prime minister promised to set up an anti-graft centre to receive all complaints and graft cases, and once they were presented, the Prime Minister's Office would probe and take action if there were grounds.
Her action plan _ a "Clean Initiative" scheme _ included a campaign to raise awareness on the ills of corruption and measures to better address graft and punish corrupt officials.
She later led her cabinet ministers on stage at Government House to declare a war against corruption in line with government policy.
Then came the amnesty bill hastily approved by MPs in the House led by her Pheu Thai Party. The bill's gist is a blanket amnesty for all in order to reconcile the country. Trying to reach that goal, all court cases stemming from political conflicts from 2004 to Aug 8 this year, the day the House passed its first reading, will be forgiven. That means graft cases involving Thaksin and his cabinet ministers from his administration before the coup. The bill led to protests springing up here and there, and one statement after another opposing the bill.
The embattled prime minister, her cabinet members, Pheu Thai colleagues and red-shirt supporters argue that their intention was to use the bill to end rifts and claim the issue has been politicised in order to topple the government. But Ms Yingluck and Pheu Thai cannot argue with judges who normally keep everything within themselves to maintain neutrality. Sixty-three judges issued a short statement on Nov 5. It is only three paragraphs and the wording was carefully crafted before being released to the public. Those paragraphs perfectly reflect the government's real intention on how it is treating corruption.
The bill would, among other things, whitewash people convicted of corruption and malfeasance, and undermine the rule of law. Those convicted of graft must face punishment since they severely harmed the county through actions deemed unacceptable by international society.
"As judges, we are duty-bound to maintain righteousness and justice in this country. We strongly oppose the amnesty bill, which is to go before the Upper House," they said.
The day that the bill was approved by MPs in the chamber was Nov 1. That minute was 4.25am.
And that minute showed where she, plus the government _ Pheu Thai and the other coalition parties voting for the bill _ stand on corruption.
Saritdet Marukatat is digital media news editor, Bangkok Post.