Corruption still a big issue for the government: survey

The finding came as the government claimed that it had been successful in tackling the graft problem.

Deputy Government Spokesman Maj-General Werachon Sukondhapatipak said yesterday that in the past six years Thailand’s corruption problem was now at its least invasive level. 

He said the conclusion came from findings by local and international organisations that campaign against corruption.

This government came to power after the coup in May 2014.

The spokesman said that the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand had reported the country’s progress in fighting corruption last month. 

 

Increased awareness

He attributed the improvement to increased awareness among the public and businesses, as well as the government’s tough measures and policies against corruption.

“All those measures serve as a good foundation in the fight against corruption, in line with international practices. They will also help boost the efficiency of the existing laws and regulations,” Werachon said.

Anti-graft organisations have found that Thailand’s transparency image has been at its best in a decade, according to the spokesman. 

He said that there had been fewer cases of state officials demanding bribes from businesspeople and foreign investors.

Of 1,246 respondents surveyed in a new Suan Dusit University nationwide poll, more than three quarters said corruption and the pursuit of personal interests were one of the most concerning problems facing the country.

More than 80 per cent said the Prayut Chan-o-cha administration could “possibly” attempt to lay out the foundation to combat graft. 

About 78 per cent of the respondents viewed that currently the government had not yet succeeded in rooting out fraud in governmental projects.

The survey’s results show that people think the No 1 political problem facing the country is “conflict, [the] divide, and political polarisation”, with more than 80 per cent of the respondents voicing that.

Other problems concerning them are malpractice among the politicians and the amendment of the constitution, expressed by 61.16 and 56.74 per cent of the respondents respectively.

The administrative problem came last. Less than 5 per cent of respondent said that the administration’s performance in dealing with economic, social, and education issues was a problem.

The poll asked what problem the people thought the administration could possibly deal with. More than 80 per cent also said it could stop street protests and political activities.

More than three-quarters said the government could possibly attempt to prevent the pursuit of personal interests and political power. 

Following the road map came fourth with 65.25 per cent. Trade and investment, especially special economic zone, came last with a little more than 55 per cent. 

Concerning what the government had not successfully tackled, about 71 per cent said it did not concretely bring about reconciliation. 

More than 60 per cent said bread and butter problems had not been tackled.

Almost 60 per cent thought the government had not improved the country’s image in the eyes of the international community. And some 57 per cent said that democracy and the constitution were still persisting problems.

Only 25.44 per cent said they were strongly confident in the government’s performance to deal with political problems facing the country. 

Most respondents, or 41 per cent, said they were fairly confident. And 15.73 per cent said they had no confidence at all.