The Customs Department has launched a major reform by abolishing bonus payments for all executive positions to eliminate conflicts of interest and is revising laws to cancel bonuses at every level.
Mr. Panthong Loykulnant, Director-General of the Customs Department, revealed that under the government policy led by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr. Aekniti Nitithanprapas, which aims to enhance government transparency, proactively prevent and combat corruption, and promote governance principles, the Cabinet approved recommendations from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). These recommendations called for reviewing the bonus payment system of law enforcement agencies because bonuses were found to increase corruption risks among officials performing regular duties. Additionally, to raise Thailand’s standards in preparation for OECD membership—which highly values public governance and anti-corruption following international standards—the Customs Department has revised regulations to cancel bonuses for senior executives. This move clearly demonstrates the organization’s intent to reduce conflicts of interest, enhance transparency in duties, and align with OECD strategic transparency requirements.
The Customs Department has revised the criteria for customs bonus payments by canceling the right of senior executives—including the Director-General, advisors, deputy directors-general, division directors, office directors, and customs officers—to receive bonuses. Some executives hold authority related to law enforcement processes such as case consideration, review of opinions, or appeals in customs cases. Although bonus payments comply with legal criteria, to ensure transparent, unblemished service and build public and business confidence, the department deems it appropriate to cancel bonus rights for these involved executives.
Furthermore, the department has revised the classification criteria and clearly defined eligible recipients for customs bonuses by categorizing staff into three groups: Group 1, those who arrest and detect violations; Group 2, those who assist in arrests; and Group 3, those who provide support. It also established appropriate bonus distribution ratios aligned with actual work to better reflect participation and performance rather than rank.
“Currently, the Minister of Finance has approved the amended draft regulations on the payment of bribes and bonuses by the Customs Department, and the department is preparing to publish these regulations in the Royal Gazette, which will take effect the day after publication,” he said.
The cancellation of executives’ bonus rights marks a significant organizational reform step to demonstrate that the exercise of state power must be free from personal interest concerns. Even if bonus payments are legally justified, if they affect impartial law enforcement or public trust, adjustments will be made to elevate the organization's transparency standards. This also lays a foundation emphasizing correctness over personal gain, underscoring governance principles and international standards.
The Customs Department will conduct a comprehensive review of the overall bonus payment system and propose amendments to the Customs Act B.E. 2560 (2017) to eliminate bonuses for customs employees at all levels, ensuring the department’s law enforcement system is based on fairness, transparency, and sustainable public trust.
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