Corruption has hit what is surely one of the lowest points ever in the country. Credible reports have highlighted the low crime of state employees stealing from the poorest and most vulnerable people in the country. When the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) confirms the breath-taking details around the end of the month, it will be a shocking and a sad day. As the head of a civil society group said last week, the welfare embezzlement scandal indicates huge failures by both the current government and the moribund anti-corruption groups it appointed.
The outright and quite brazen theft of welfare funds meant to be paid to destitute citizens is outrageous. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha seems to believe that simply transferring the top two civil servants at the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security is an impressive start to an investigation. If anything, it's another indication by the self-appointed top law enforcement officer that he has no intention of leading the battle against corruption. Adul Kiewboriboon, head of the 1992 May Heroes Relatives Committee, told a recent seminar that the regime has failed the test.
It is a curious, although stable policy by Gen Prayut. While he promised at the time of his coup d'etat to wipe out corruption, his personal actions never have lived up to these vows. From the beginning, Gen Prayut has been consistent about this. He has punted every high profile case. In early days, his brother Gen Preecha was in hot water over his assets declaration. The prime minister did not talk to his brother, but he also failed to show the public his intention to fight corruption at the top.
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