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Thai National Anti-Corruption Commission Promotes “No Gift” Culture to Prevent Bribery in Private Sector

Thai National Anti-Corruption Commission
The National Anti-Corruption Commission encourages businesses to take internal measures to prevent bribery and promote good governance in the private sector

The Thai National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has been urging the private sector to prevent bribery and promote good governance by implementing internal measures to control bribery risks. Bribery is a national problem that affects the credibility and efficiency of budgetary spending, as there have been cases of bribes being offered for business benefits across borders. The NACC has set up an Anti-Bribery Advisory Service (ABAS) Center to provide knowledge and guidelines to the private sector concerning the laws on offering bribes to government officials and to have appropriate measures to prevent bribery.

Juristic persons who bribe government officials are subject to large fines, and the NACC has rules for prosecuting private sector firms involved in bribing government officials and those working in international agencies. The rules have been issued to make private sector firms aware that they could be prosecuted if they are involved in corruption. The NACC also encourages businesses to clearly identify their expenses for government agencies and impose measures to inspect these expenses.

The Secretary-General of the NACC, Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, emphasized that bribery should be prevented at both ends – the private sector or the bribe giver and government officers or the bribe taker. Those who offer a bribe to government officers are subject to penalty under Section 176 of the Anti-Corruption Act B.E. 2561. The NACC encourages juristic persons susceptible to public bribery to refrain from paying commissions to government officers for any reason to avoid breaking anti-bribery laws.

The NACC is a constitutional independent organization and is supervised by nine commissioners selected from various professions. It is authorized to undertake work on the prevention and suppression of malfeasance, particularly in government agencies, on assets investigations, as well as on the monitoring of ethics and virtues of political position holders. It has the authority to file charges in court, as well as support and build up awareness of the penalties for committing corruption. The NACC is supervised by the NACC Board, and the Office of the NACC is its administrative agency.

Since 1997, Thai courts have ruled against and punished politicians, former ministers, high-ranking government officials, as well as executives of the private sector in the thousands of cases submitted by the NACC. It is clear that the NACC is working hard to ensure that corruption is eradicated from Thai society.

Preventing corruption is crucial for any country’s economic growth and sustainable development. It affects not only government officials but also businesses that want to operate in a fair and competitive environment. The NACC’s efforts to promote good governance and transparency in the private sector are commendable, and it is essential that businesses take the initiative to prevent bribery by implementing internal measures.

Businesses should also educate their employees on the laws regarding bribery and corruption and the consequences of breaking these laws. It is crucial to create a culture of integrity and ethics within the company, where bribery is not tolerated. The NACC’s “No Gift” culture can serve as an excellent example of how businesses can prevent bribery and promote good governance.

In conclusion, combating corruption requires a collective effort from all sectors of society, including the government, the private sector, and the public. The NACC plays a crucial role in promoting good governance and preventing corruption in Thailand. It encourages the private sector to adopt internal measures to control bribery risks and adhere to anti-bribery laws. By working together, we can create a fair and transparent business environment that benefits everyone.

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