BIG PROJECTS SPUR RISE IN GRAFT CONCERNS
Concerns over the country’s perceived level of corruption in the future heightened in June, rising from 54 to 57, given the government's planned investment in big state projects, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).
Sauwanee Thairungroj, president of UTCC, said that there remained concerns for corruption in the future, although the index for June for the country's corruption stayed at 53, signalling an improvement from last December's 55.
She also urged the public sector to impose stringent legal enforcement, while society at large must take on a greater role in scrutiny.
In the past eight years, about 59 per cent of business operators surveyed did not pay kickbacks, marking an eight-year record high, while only 13 per cent paid. Earlier, 15-18 per cent paid kickbacks, Sauwanee said.
However, foreigners have not seen improvement in Thailand's corruption, scoring 35, down from 38 and ranking down to the 101th place from 76th as legal amendment and political developments were factored into scoring and ranking, Sauwanee said.
