Thailand remains a nest of corruption

Politicians, lawmakers, police and soldiers are rated as the most corrupt groups in Thailand, which lags far behind its neighbours in dealing with rampant graft, a survey reveals.

Thaksin: Administration had ‘highest rate of corruption’

The assessment of corruption from 2003 to 2008 found Thailand had never reached even the half-way point on a scale measuring effectiveness in tackling corruption.
It has rated between 3.3 and 3.8 on a 10-point scale, said Saowani Thairungrote, an economist at the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce.
The information is part of her six-year study on corruption in Thailand presented yesterday during a seminar held by the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
Among the reasons for continuing severe corruption in Thailand are lenient law enforcement and political instability, Ms Saowani said.
She said corruption was often used as an excuse over the past 20 years to stage a military coup, but each new government appeared as unable as the last to avoid being caught up in graft.
The study found corruption was at its highest level during the time of the Thaksin Shinawatra administration. Next came the Chuan Leekpai, Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat administrations.
Businessmen who work with the state sector said highway and traffic police, politicians, Customs Department officers and tambon administration organisation staff are heavily involved in corruption, including demanding kickbacks to facilitate and speed up their services.
Private companies awarded contracts on state projects reportedly have to pay at least 5% of the project's value in kickbacks, Ms Saowani found.

source:  bangkokpost.com



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