The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) wants the state to relax its stringent rules on entertainment venues and alcohol sales to stamp out bribery and raise tax revenues, said its deputy leader Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn yesterday.
Mr Chaiwut, who is the Digital Economy and Society Minister, said the party believes the government should "turn bribes into taxes". According to him, bribery is rampant in Thailand because the state outlaws many activities which are legal in other countries, such as buying alcohol outside a specified time window and operating nightspots beyond 2am.
"As a result, foreigners who come to visit or live in Thailand are often forced to pay up just so they can enjoy a drink past a certain hour, for instance," he said. This results in the proliferation of grey businesses and bribery.
"As such, we should allow certain things [which are currently banned], as long as they are in line with international standards and practices. The laws should be amended to get rid of corruption," he added. At the same time, authorities should focus on stamping out things which are not widely regarded as acceptable, such as narcotic smuggling and human trafficking, Mr Chaiwut said.
"This is an important policy of the Palang Pracharath Party, turning bribes into tax to solve corruption," Mr Chaiwut said. The minister has also spoken out about legalising electronic cigarettes, seen as another means by which police extort bribes.
Separately, former massage parlour tycoon and ex-politician Chuvit Kamolvisit posted on his Facebook yesterday about a criminal network run by an alleged triad member who goes by the name of Yu Xinqi. He said Mr Yu is running a crime ring similar to the one run by the Chinese businessman known as Chaiyanat "Tuhao" Kornchayanant.
Mr Chuvit said some members of the Shanxi Association, founded by Mr Yu, have left the country after they were exposed by Move Forward Party MP Rangsiman Rome during a House debate last Wednesday. Mr Chuvit passed on information about the man's activities to Mr Rome, who raised them lin the House.
Mr Yu, who is in the custody of immigration police, is facing charges of breaching the Computer Act and the Fund Raising Control Act, and establishing an unlicenced association.
Mr Chuvit's post said Mr Yu entered the kingdom on a tourist visa, which was converted into a retirement visa.
Members of the network are able to pay about 200,000 baht to get a retirement visa without the need to show up at an immigration office, he said.