NRC acts to boost fight against "rife" corruption

NRC member Pramon Sutivong said the NRC would establish a committee to oversee state enterprise operations, requiring them to disclose official information by providing the same information listed companies must report to the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET.)

The legislation also stated that education institutions embrace “grow up and not corrupt” as part of their curriculum.

The NRC member Pracha Taerat said corruption was rife because the country’s education system failed to instill morality in our children and stressed only academic merit.

He said there was a dire need to ensure an anti corruption mechanism in the education system.

The country should follow other developed nations in getting public participation to help combat corruption. “It is a pity that the current charter does not include a check mechanism by the civic sector which is most efficient in combating corruption,’’ he said.

The NRC also sought an amendment to the Official Information Act stipulating that state agencies must clearly indicate procedures and time needed to access official information. Information that must be disclosed included any involving finance or state budget which affected human rights, community and environment.

The council also required in a draft bill on state advertisements that a committee be established to control use of state funds for advertisements to prevent nepotism, media interference and state propaganda.

The council also adjusted the definition of the word ‘state officials’ to be in line with that of the United Nation Convention against Corruption and the Criminal Code. It also bans political office holders and their family members from accepting gifts, souvenirs and any benefits that can be converted in terms of money value.