"Pollution Control Department and National Parks Department" They deny the private sector survey claim of highest bribery, asserting confidence in their honesty, transparency, and auditability.
On 15 May 2026, Mr. Surin Worrakitthamrong, Director-General of the Pollution Control Department, along with Deputy Director-Generals Thananchai Wannasuk and Theerapong Wimoljitranon, held a press conference with executives and staff affirming the PCD's commitment as a "transparent organization." They emphasized that their operations contain no channels or mechanisms enabling improper benefit solicitation, conducting work with integrity, accountability, and prioritizing the public interest.
The Joint Private Sector Committee of three institutions (JPSC), including the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries, and the Thai Bankers' Association, through the Zero Corruption Working Group: JPSC and Friends Not Tolerating, released results of a survey on private sector opinions regarding government transparency. Surveying 401 business executives and representatives nationwide from 26 March to 10 April 2026, it found corruption remains a structural crisis severely undermining Thailand's business environment. The survey named the Pollution Control Department (PCD) as the agency with the highest average bribe amount per case, at 102,160 baht.
The PCD clarifies that it is an agency under the National Environmental Quality Promotion and Conservation Act of 1992, with core duties involving control, supervision, coordination, monitoring, and evaluation concerning environmental protection and quality. It issues ministerial regulations, announcements, rules, and orders to restore and prevent hazards from pollution in contaminated areas. It also enforces laws to prevent and solve environmental problems for public health. The PCD does not have authority to approve or issue business licenses to either public or private sectors and thus lacks any channels or mechanisms that would enable improper benefit solicitation.
Meanwhile, the PCD's procurement processes strictly comply with laws and regulations set by the Comptroller General's Department, emphasizing fair and transparent competition. The department also cultivates staff commitment to integrity and professional ethics, adhering to the national No Gift Policy, which prohibits accepting gifts or any benefits in connection with official duties.
The PCD is confident in its integrity and transparency, which can be audited. Therefore, it requests that the JPSC clarify how it arrived at the claim that the PCD has the highest average bribe amount of 102,160 baht, including whether it received proper documentary evidence, and how the information was analyzed and verified. This will enable the PCD to investigate whether any officials are involved in corruption as alleged, ensuring transparency and fairness for the department. The PCD asks the JPSC to provide results and certified related documents within seven days of receiving this letter.
If the JPSC lacks documentary evidence of such corruption, the PCD states that the JPSC's press release has caused serious, difficult-to-remedy damage to the department, undermining public trust as well as the morale of PCD staff. Therefore, the PCD urges the JPSC to take responsibility for this harm by issuing an official public apology through the media and pledging not to cause damage to government agencies or the nation in the future.
The PCD remains committed to fully performing its pollution control duties to protect natural resources, address environmental issues, and improve the quality of life for the public alongside sustainable national development. It upholds its organizational culture as a "transparent organization" operating with integrity, transparency, auditability, and prioritizing the public interest.
At this opportunity, encouragement is extended to all staff at every level to perform their duties with strength—both physically and morally—with pride in their roles, and to work together with dedication and sacrifice to create a good environment for the sustainable benefit of the people.
. FacebookNational Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Departmentissued a statement regarding the private sector transparency survey (JPSC) and organizational governance enhancement measures, stating, "Following the publication of the private sector survey on government transparency by the Zero Corruption Working Group: JPSC on 14 May 2026, which ranked the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department ninth out of ten agencies, with an average bribe amount per case of 68,000 baht,
the department emphasizes it takes this information very seriously. The Director-General has ordered relevant units to immediately investigate all processes involving contact with the private sector. The department adheres to government policies to create transparency and auditability to sustainably eliminate corruption.
The National Parks Department confirms it has no policy of soliciting benefits. If any official is found guilty of disciplinary or corruption offenses, the department will impose the highest disciplinary and criminal penalties without exception to preserve the honor and dignity of the majority of officials who perform their duties honestly. It pledges cooperation with the JPSC to verify the facts and jointly establish transparent standards.
The public and private sectors can report corruption tips directly via the department’s hotline at 1362, available 24 hours, or the department’s convenient government service center at 02-5610777 ext. 1240 during office hours.
The National Parks Department asserts it will perform its duties in natural resource conservation with transparency, auditability, and good governance. It confirms that if any government official is found to behave improperly or solicit benefits, decisive disciplinary and criminal actions will be taken without exception."
Thanks to the Facebook pages of the Pollution Control Department and the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department.