PM to lead war on corruption

[Norseman]

Let us hope the attempt will succeed this time.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced on Tuesday that he himself would lead a war on corruption this year, while assigning certain cabinet members to take responsibility for other key issues.

The prime minister told the Thai cabinet at its official meeting in the country's northeastern province of Loei that he had divided government policies into three main categoties this year.

They include those in the economic, social as well as political and state administrative sectors.

The devision is aimed at encouraging every ministry under each of the three categorial sectors to be able to focus on overhauling their management and operational strategies to keep pace with fast changing world situation.

The premier assigned Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak to be in charge of the micro and macro economic sectors and service sector, Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit to be in charge of the industrial sector, Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya to take responsibility for the development of local financial institutions and Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan to be responsible for the agricultural sector, according to Government Spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee.

The prime minister instructed the ministers to form their team-work within 30 days and begin to take action so that substantial improvement in the sectors would be seen by the end of this year.

Policies in the micro economic sector include reduction of state budgets in the Bt30 per hospital visit scheme, debt restructuring for farmers, controlled pricing of chemical fertilizers and management of organic fertilizers in each district scheme.

They also include promotion of alternative energy, namely bio-diesel and natural gas for vehicles (NGVs), as well as the One Tambon, One Product (OTOP) scheme, the one million cattle project, the development of the capital market, the improvement of efficiency of state enterprises and village fund project and the Bangkok:Fashion City scheme.

Policies in the macro economic sector include the Asia Bond scheme, the nationwide energy conservation drive, free trade areas (FTAs) negotiations and overall economic and industrial restructuring.

Policies in the social sector are the war on corruption, the war on drugs, the war on influential figures, the war on human trafficking, the eradication of vices, namely pornography, non-creative on-line games, as well as the improvement of traffic congestion in Bangkok and its surrounding areas and road accident reduction, the nationwide povery eradication, the development of science and technology and local education and support for food safety scheme and improvement of broadcast programmes--television and radio--for the youths.

Policies in the political and state administrative sector include the development of the overall fiscal and financial systems, the Smart Card identity card scheme, the expansion of mass transit systems, the eradication of slums and the development and utilization of information communication technology (ICT) for the public and youths, as well as support of decentralization and legal reform.

Mr. Thaksin announced that he himself would take responsibility for the war on corruption, which is part of the state social policy.

[dr dave soul monsta]

Is he going to start by setting an example upon him self and his family !
it would be the place to start

[Jaime]

Ouch!! Straight in there my son!

[johnnyk]

Just the man to stop the rot!

[Norseman]

I think we could say it sometimes takes an 'expert' to screw things up or reveal this sort of crime.
Don't you think he's the right man for the job?
He know all the hiding places and loopholes because he's been there.
He have absolutely nothing to learn.
He is just the perfect man for this job!

[tuktukmike]

Sounds Great.

Just one problem as reported in the Bangkok Post.

The one area he refuses to talk about or even consider.

Conflict of Interest issues.

Wonder Why????

Mike.

[buksida]

Well since he just lost the war on media he should start a war on himself, that way everyone will benefit.

[tuktukmike]

Is he talking to the media again???

Last i heard the planets were not in his favour so cancelled all press interviews.

Maybe Mars and pluto are better positioned now, but be carefull he could be watching ur-anus.

Mike.

[lomuamart]

Oh yes,
And he won't discuss politics until the latter half of 2008.
Really, the git's said it. He's concentrating on these pillars of society, the downfall of corruption being a part of one.
What a prat of a PM.

[Norseman]

Most residents of Bangkok and outlying areas remain unconvinced about Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s latest bid to crackdown on bureaucratic corruption, according to a new survey.

Results of a Suan Dusit poll of 1,131 people in the Bangkok metropolitan area on Wednesday and Thursday showed 59 per cent of respondents doubted the prime minister’s war against corruption would be successful, compared with 11 per cent who said it would achieve its ends. Thirty per cent declined to forecast.

The poll also found 26 per cent of respondents suggested that the prime minister should begin by ensuring that none of his own people was involved in any misconduct, while another 26 per cent thought Mr. Thaksin should crack down hard. A further 19 per cent called for tougher penalties against corruption.

[tuktukmike]

I was reading in yesterdays Bangkok Post that the PM has sent a team to investigate the Customs Department.

This is without doubt the most corrupt group of individualls in Thailand,

When my car was shipped i was given an import duty price, when i agreed to the first price the day before i was due to collect it went up by 50%.

After a lot of thought i decided to pay the increased price as i really wanted my car guess what, once again the day before i was due to go to Laem Chebang to collect it another huge price rise in import duty.

So when i read that there is to be a crack down on this department i know from many Thais that these people are very wealthy and of course nothing will change.

Someone once said to me that as Thailand had signed the GATT agreement that this could no longer happen as all transactions have to be fair and transparent.

The problem is that they will sign anything but it does not mean they will abide by the rules of the said agreement.

Mike.