The latest efforts by the “Zero Corruption Task Force: GKR and Friends Won't Tolerate” have created a strong ripple effect, inspiring Thais to "stop tolerating" and actively "oppose" corruption in the country. This has led government agencies to immediately and seriously combat internal corruption within their organizations.
Last week, the task force and the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce announced the results of a survey on “Private Sector Opinions on Transparency in Government Administration” from 401 businesses nationwide across agriculture, trade, industry, and services. The findings showed corruption remains a structural crisis, severely obstructing and undermining business operations.
Government agencies solicit benefits to ensure smooth and fast operations, even though these are routine duties, such as issuing and renewing licenses or approvals, tax processes, customs procedures, and procurement. These steps carry the highest risk of soliciting benefits, whether in cash, gifts/entertainment, donations/sponsorships, or hiring specific subcontractors/consultants.
Private companies that pay extra to secure contracts or win bids can pay as much as 26–30% of the budget value, with most paying between 6–15%. Crucially, when faced with such solicitations, businesses hesitate to report them, even though these payments increase business costs, reduce competitiveness, deter foreign investors, and damage the Thai economy.
It was also found that 26 agencies that businesses interacted with over the past year required payments, with the top 10 being:
1. Pollution Control Department – 102,160 baht per instance
2. Marine Department – 100,000 baht
3. Excise Department – 94,667 baht
4. Revenue Department – 89,498 baht
5. Justice process (excluding courts) – 88,750 baht
6. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and public health services – 74,643 baht
7. Department of Highways – 70,167 baht
8. Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning – 70,000 baht
9. Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation – 68,000 baht10. Royal Forest Department – 67,500 baht
Ranks 11-26, with payments ranging from 65,665 to 21,889 baht per instance, include the Department of Lands, Customs Department, Department of Mineral Resources, Electricity Authority, Department of Intellectual Property, Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO), Provincial Waterworks Authority, Department of Industrial Works, Department of Land Transport, Department of Livestock Development, Department of Business Development, Department of Employment, local police, Royal Irrigation Department, Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO), and highway/traffic police.
Additionally, the same 26 agencies were the most frequently offered benefits by businesses in the past year. The top 10 are:
1. Highway/traffic police
2. Justice process (excluding courts)
3. Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO)
4. Marine Department
5. Department of Highways
6. Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning
7. Local police
8. Department of Intellectual Property
9. Revenue Department
10. Department of Land Transport
Ranks 11-26 include the Customs Department, Royal Irrigation Department, Department of Business Development, National Parks Department, Department of Employment, Royal Forest Department, FDA, Excise Department, Department of Lands, Pollution Control Department, PAO, Department of Mineral Resources, Provincial Waterworks Authority, Electricity Authority, Department of Industrial Works, and Department of Livestock Development.
These findings have made agency leaders uneasy, prompting urgent clarifications. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn will summon the directors of implicated agencies to explain and assess the accuracy of the information. If substantiated, a committee will be formed to investigate and take further action.
Surin Warakittamrong, Director-General of the Pollution Control Department, issued an open letter to the task force requesting detailed information within seven days to verify the facts. He vowed decisive action if corruption is confirmed but asked for fairness to restore the department's reputation and morale if the claims are untrue.
Meanwhile, Kornit Nonjui, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, emphasized the ministry’s commitment to preventing and combating corruption in all forms. He instructed all officials to perform their duties honestly and transparently, without soliciting or accepting benefits or engaging in misconduct. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Supachai Sutthumpun urged all agencies to listen to complaints and immediately investigate any leads, pledging strict action against confirmed violations.
The Excise Department is conducting joint investigations with the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce to fully understand the situation. The department affirmed its commitment to preventing and combating corruption, promptly reviewing licensing procedures and other processes vulnerable to corruption risks.
If all sectors "refuse to tolerate, refuse to participate, and refuse to ignore" corruption and unite to report leads for enforcement, Thailand can transform into an era of transparency, good governance, credibility, attract investments, and drive the economy with pride.
Siriwan Phongphairoj
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