Most say graft a major stumbling block: survey
More than half of Thais agree that corruption is a major obstacle to the country's development, according to a survey by the Thai Chamber of Commerce.
The corruption perception index slipped from 67.4 points in July to 66.9 per cent last month, showing higher concern about graft, Saowanee Thairungroj, vice president of the Research Division of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said yesterday.
She said 56.7 per cent of respondents agreed that the government and public and private sectors must rid every transaction of corruption, as it hinders the development of the Kingdom.
Almost 70 per cent also believe that corruption is widespread in many organisations.
To solve the problem urgently, respondents said the government must enact stringent laws to punish those who pay bribes or take tea-money. It must also cooperate with all sectors involved with the younger generation, to give youth an early start on acquiring high ethical standards.
The survey also showed that respondents wanted the government to rank corruption as one of top five problems faced by the country. Other problems in the top five were the high cost of living, low incomes, illegal drugs, and flooding.
To increase awareness of the problem, the chamber and all the provinces will hold anti-graft marches on September 25. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva will take part in the event.
