"Phiphat" has ordered the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport to urgently investigate the facts regarding the joint private sector committee's revelation that three departments rank highest in bribery allegations. The Director-General of the Marine Department vowed that if any officials are found guilty of corruption, they will be immediately dismissed, and the department will implement online systems to close loopholes.
Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, commented on the case involving the Joint Private Sector Committee of three institutions (JPC) through its Zero Corruption task force and the "Friends Won't Tolerate" group. They disclosed direct experiences from the business sector concerning corruption surveys, finding that three agencies under the Ministry of Transport ranked highest in average bribe values: the Marine Department (MD), the Department of Highways (DOH), and the Department of Land Transport (DLT). He emphasized that the Ministry of Transport prioritizes transparency in all operations, including procurement, administrative management, and overall governance. Therefore, good governance principles must be firmly upheld in all affiliated agencies.
Mr. Phiphat stated that following the report, he will summon the directors or executives of the implicated agencies to clarify the facts and assess the extent to which the news reflects reality. If evidence is found, a committee will be established to investigate further and proceed accordingly.
When asked when the agencies would be called to explain, Mr. Phiphat said he had just learned of the news today and needed time to verify the information first. He will assign the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport to thoroughly examine the facts, including the source and details of the report.
Mr. Phiphat added that he cannot yet conclude whether the published information is entirely factual because the survey's scope and coverage must be considered. A deep investigation is necessary to determine how well the data reflects each agency's overall situation. The Permanent Secretary, Chayatham Promsorn, will compile the facts and present them before any further steps are taken.
. Mr. Sanphet Boonyamanee, Deputy Minister of Transport, commented on the rumors and complaints about bribery demands within agencies under the Ministry of Transport, especially the Marine Department, which he oversees. He said he has just received detailed reports and must conduct an in-depth review of the information, including its source, number of cases, credibility, and complaint procedures, to ensure clarity and fairness for all parties.
Nevertheless, the Ministry of Transport believes that Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, will convene related agencies to discuss the issue further. At the policy level, the ministry has consistently instructed all agencies to operate transparently, with good governance and accountability at every step, emphasizing these principles when setting policies for affiliated agencies.
Regarding the Marine Department, the Deputy Minister has been informed by its Director-General that procedures have been clarified to confirm transparency and fairness to all parties. If complaints arise, a thorough examination of the sources, details, number of cases, and accuracy of information is essential. The matter must be handled fairly for all, including the officials involved.
“When complaints come in, they are accepted as part of the review process, which is positive because it facilitates mutual oversight among the government, private sector, and public. Everyone can jointly monitor operations, but the final outcome must be based on facts and legal regulations,” said Mr. Sanphet.
He also directed the Marine Department to expedite development of a direct complaint system via technology and online platforms, allowing the public and operators to submit information or complaints directly to headquarters immediately without multiple local steps. This will reduce discretionary power and speed up problem investigation and resolution.
Mr. Kritphet Chaiyoo, Director-General of the Marine Department, said the department handles approximately 200,000 public service transactions annually involving various tasks and eight related associations. The department has developed services, shifting about 80-90% to electronic systems nationwide, including applications, vessel registrations, and fee payments via e-Payment. This has been ongoing for 2-3 years to reduce face-to-face contact and minimize corruption opportunities.
Regarding the recent news, the department will coordinate with the Joint Private Sector Committee (JPC) to obtain information for clear verification of which services face problems before considering solutions. The department is committed to transparency, especially under his leadership. If corruption is detected after investigation, offenders will be immediately dismissed. Several cases of reported misconduct have resulted in prompt removal of responsible personnel once verified.
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