The Customs Department has implemented a major reform by canceling bonus payments for executives at all levels to eliminate conflicts of interest and is revising laws to abolish bonuses across all levels.
Mr. Panthong Loykoolnanun, 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 Finance Minister Dr. Aeknithi Nitithanprapas, which aims to enhance public sector transparency, proactively prevent and combat corruption, and promote governance principles in state agencies, the Cabinet approved recommendations from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). These recommended reviewing the bonus payment system in law enforcement agencies because such bonuses have been found to increase corruption risks beyond normal civil servant duties. Additionally, to elevate Thailand’s standards in preparation for joining the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which emphasizes public governance and anti-corruption internationally, the Customs Department has revised its regulations to cancel bonus entitlements for senior executives. This demonstrates the organization’s clear intention to reduce conflicts of interest risks, increase transparency in duty performance, and align with OECD’s strategic transparency requirements.
The Customs Department revised the criteria for bonus payments by canceling bonus entitlements for senior executives, including the Director-General, advisors, deputy directors-general, division directors, office directors, and customs officers. Some executives have authority related to law enforcement processes such as case adjudication, opinion screening, or appeal consideration in customs cases. Although bonuses were legally granted according to established criteria, to ensure transparent, unquestionable performance and build public and business confidence, the department deemed it appropriate to revoke bonus rights for those executives involved.
Furthermore, the Customs Department has refined the classification criteria and clearly defined eligible personnel for customs bonuses by categorizing staff into three groups, as follows.
“Currently, the Finance Minister has approved the amended Customs Department regulation on bonus and reward payments, and the department is in the process of publishing this regulation in the Royal Gazette, which will take effect immediately the day after publication,” he said.
The cancellation of executive bonus rights marks a significant step in organizational reform, demonstrating that state power must be exercised without concerns of personal gain. Even if bonus payments are legally authorized, if they affect impartial law enforcement or public trust, adjustments are made to elevate organizational transparency standards. This also lays the foundation for an organization committed to integrity over personal benefit, emphasizing 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 abolish bonuses for all customs employees, ensuring that law enforcement is based on fairness, transparency, and sustained public confidence.
. . . State Policy . . .