ACT unveils a formula to close corruption loopholes in "textbook" procurement by using an "Integrity Pact," reducing government spending by up to 255 million baht. It proposes this approach be adopted as the standard for large public procurement projects.
On 13 March 2026 GMT+7, Dr. Mana Nimitmongkol, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT), revealed that government textbook procurement has faced ongoing transparency concerns over several years, including issues such as job splitting, paper specification lock-ins, monopolies, and conditions that hinder new competitors. Recently, the Office of the Welfare Promotion Commission for Teachers and Educational Personnel (OTEP), Ministry of Education, revised its procurement process for the 2026 academic year textbook printing project by implementing the "Integrity Pact" mechanism starting 7 January 2026 GMT+7. Independent observers from ACT were invited to monitor the process from the outset.
This process revision broadened and enhanced transparency in the bidding, enabling the government to save 255.6 million baht, or 25.31%, from the original budget of 1.01 billion baht. The winning bid was 754.3 million baht, approximately 155 million baht below the benchmark price. Moreover, five bidders won contracts, reducing concentration of providers and covering printing of over 27 million textbooks. This demonstrates that fair competition can concretely reduce the country’s fiscal burden.
Dr. Mana added that OTEP’s procurement process reform has reduced corruption risks in textbook printing through three key strategies:
1. Employing the "Integrity Pact" mechanism.
This allowed observers from the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT) to participate in every step—from TOR meetings and setting benchmark prices to bidding—to ensure no excessive or anti-competitive conditions were imposed.
2. Changing the procurement method.
The approach shifted from a "selection method" that limited bidders to an "open invitation" allowing proposals for all items, fostering open competition and enabling fair pricing across all categories.
3. OTEP directly supervising the preparation of the TOR.
This aimed to eliminate past weaknesses that might have favored incumbent contractors.
Integrity Pact helps close corruption loopholes.
Dr. Mana further stated: "The lesson from this project is clear: much corruption originates during the procurement design stage. If the process is transparent from the start and independent observers participate through the mechanism of the "Integrity Pact," it helps close loopholes, increase competition, and results in massive government budget savings. Therefore, I propose this approach be adopted as the standard for large public procurement projects."
Historical budget statistics for textbook printing (past 5 years):
• Academic Year 2026: 1.01 billion baht (winning bid 754 million baht)
• Academic Year 2025: 1.06 billion baht
• Academic Year 2024: 912.59 million baht
• Academic Year 2023: 974 million baht
• Academic Year 2022: No budget allocated due to use of online learning media during the COVID-19 pandemic.