Stand up and be counted in the war against corruption
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A survey conducted recently by the Thai Institute of Directors and GFK Marketwise found that "most of the country's business leaders acknowledge that corruption is still a major problem, jeopardising the nation's long-term credibility".
Now then – there can only be two types of business leader and associate – the corrupt and the non-corrupt. Apparently, though, everyone’s a hypocrite, and that may include the regulators. Just grumbling and mumbling about corruption is simply not good enough. It is insincere and a feeble attempt to make the Thai business community appear ethically minded without having to do anything about it.
Maybe, once again, the Stone Age education system is the root of the problem and largely responsible for moral inaction and this appallingly nonchalant and adolescent executive mindset. “It’s not me teacher, but I’m not going tell, and neither will the board of directors.”
Bullies jump on the corruption bandwagon and wimps enable the bullies to jump on the corruption bandwagon. They’re all in the same boat really and equally blameworthy. It’s now time to grow up and start walking the talk, chaps – to stand up for “what’s right” for a change. John Shepherd
