Siripong emphasized that the Department of Land Transport was named in complaints as being "proposed" but that this only means the agency was suggested in reports, not that its officials were corrupt. He ordered efforts to reduce procedures and push for full online driver's license renewal within this year to close gaps for bribery and enhance transparency in public services.
Mr. Siripong Angkasakornkiat, Deputy Minister of Transport, commented on the case where the Joint Private Sector Committee (JPSC), through its Zero Corruption working group, revealed direct business sector experiences from a corruption survey. They found that agencies with the highest average bribery values include several under the Ministry of Transport, with the Department of Land Transport (DLT) among those named. He stressed the need to understand that being named does not mean that DLT officials engaged in corrupt practices or solicited benefits directly. Many cases involved proposals to facilitate convenience and speed up processes, not full acceptance by officials. Because the agency handles licensing, public service, and extensive private sector interactions, it may be perceived as high risk or easily cited.
Siripong stated that this issue is a priority for the Ministry of Transport. He acknowledged that in licensing or other administrative processes, some citizens may seek faster service and may attempt to offer benefits or shortcuts. Therefore, the key next step is for agencies to improve services to be more convenient, faster, and transparent to reduce such opportunities.
He instructed the Department of Land Transport to consider increasing training and education sessions for the public, especially in high-demand areas, possibly expanding from the current 5-6 days per week. This would help citizens access services more easily and reduce delays, which may have driven attempts to use shortcuts for faster service in the past.
Additionally, the Ministry of Transport plans to expand online systems as much as possible, especially for driving licenses, to avoid face-to-face contact, reduce steps, and minimize opportunities for bribery. The goal is to enable full online renewal of certain types of driver's licenses by 2026.
Siripong explained that initially, online renewal will cover annual or general licenses that do not require additional assessments, while licenses that still require testing or evaluations will still need in-person visits to transport offices. Nevertheless, online renewal is expected to significantly reduce costs, travel time, and increase convenience for the public.
“The key responsibility of the agency is to facilitate public convenience, ensure transparency, and build public trust in the quality and standards of government services,” Siripong said.
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