Better CPI score: A dream that can come true
จากไชต์: Office of The National Anti - Corruption Commission (ONACC)
จำนวนผู้เข้าชม: 979
The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) by Transparency International (TI) has been used since 1995 to measure perceptions of corruption in 180 countries around the world including Thailand. The country’s participation in the CPI can be interpreted as its commitment to transparency; however, its CPI scores have not been satisfactory so far. Although Thailand’s CPI current score improved to 36 and its ranking 101st, its overall corruption situation is still not applaudable.
The TI uses information from nine sources to calculate the country’s CPI score as follows:
- Varieties of Democracy Institute (V-DEM): The institute measures democratic diversity, the check and balance between the executive branch, the judicial branch and the legislative branch and corruption found among them.
- Bertelsmann Stiftung Transformation Index (BF (TI)): This index analyzes and assesses a democratic process and a free market economic system. It also monitors changes in politics, the economy and the government’s management.
- Economist Intelligence Unit Country Risk Ratings (EIU): It conducts in-depth analyses on the risks that the country’s economic system is exposed to such as transparency in budget allocation and spending, direct appointments, independent units to inspect budget management and justice etc.
- Global Insight Country Risk Ratings (GI): It assesses bribery or corruption risks that individuals or corporates may face in return for business facilitation.
- Political Risk Services International Country Risk Guide (ICRG): The assessment of political corruption risks that businesspeople are exposed to directly and frequently such as bribery for licenses.
- IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook (IMD): Statistics and surveys of opinions of high-ranking officials on economic capacity, efficiency of the public sector, efficiency of the business sector as well as infrastructure.
- The Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC): It gathers information from local and foreign businesspeople doing business in each country.
- World Economic Forum (WEF): The WEF conducts the Global Competitiveness Report using information from the Executive Opinion Survey. One of the questions asked by the survey is about corruption.
- World Justice Project (WJP): The projects assess the rule of law using indicators such as constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice and criminal justice.
The aforementioned sources cover areas such as law enforcement, inspection of the public sector’s powers, assessment of a democratic political system and business confidence.
When asked: “Is it necessary for Thailand to pay attention to the CPI and in what way the CPI affects Thailand?” The answer is: Yes, it is necessary to attach importance to the CPI since it shows the country’s image on transparency. A high CPI score affects investor confidence and absence of corruption can bring about true development to the country.
Thailand therefore proactively drives collaborative efforts between many government and private organizations to fight corruption and increase the country’s CPI. As the country’s main anti-corruption agency, the NACC was tasked by the Cabinet on 3 December 2019 to be in charge of the national anti-corruption efforts with the main objectives to raise Thailand’s CPI score to meet targets and to promote the CPI continuously.
Thailand has set a goal to be ranked among the top 53 countries with the highest CPI scores in 2023 and/or have at least a CPI score of at least 51. For 2024, the country aspires to be among the top 51 with a score of at least 53.
Other initiatives to drive the anti-corruption efforts include the establishment of a committee to analyze the country’s competitiveness. The panel consists of representatives of the National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office, the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board, the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission, the Thailand Management Association and the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy Chulalongkorn University.
Furthermore, ISO 37001 which provides guidance and requirements on anti-bribery management systems has been adopted to enhance the efficiency of bribery prevention in the public sector. The Licensing Facilitation Act B.E. 2558 has been vigorously enforced to prevent bribery.
On public participation, the NACC has developed transparent and accountable channels for government service recipients to inspect the work of government agencies in each process.
To prevent conflict of interest, the “No Gift Policy” has been launched to set clear guidelines on gift acceptance by government officials. The law on conflict of private and public interests is being driven by the NACC.
As the general election is approaching, the NACC calls on the new administration to seriously tackle corruption in government agencies by imposing policy to look out for corruption. The NACC also urges political parties to make sure that their campaign policies that they promise will be in the best interest of the public.
The CPI is only one of the indicators of the country’s anti-corruption achievements. It is important to keep in mind that all sectors must come together to improve the country’s corruption reputation and make sure that every tax penny will not go into the pocket of any person. Government officials must also perform their duty with honesty and must not abuse their power for personal gain.
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