Bribery in the US and Thailand: a comparison
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Here is a piece of news from the US the like of which you would never hear in Thailand.
The former mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina, has been sentenced to 44 months in prison for taking more than $48,000 (Bt1.5 million) in bribes. “This court must send a message that public corruption is unacceptable and will be severely punished,” said the judge.
Reading this news, a Thai politician (either national or local) would no doubt sniff “That’s not a bribe, that’s just tea money.”
Somsak Pola
