A scandal involving welfare centres nationwide and embezzled state funds highlights both the government's failure to curb corruption -- one of its core policies -- and the inefficiency of independent agencies tasked with busting graft, a seminar in Bangkok heard yesterday.
Corruption remains rampant in Thai politics despite claims by the ruling regime that the new charter has been designed to help stamp it out, according to Adul Kiewboriboon, who chairs the 1992 May Heroes Relatives Committee.
He made the remark at a seminar on corruption organised by the Thai Journalists Association. The latest scandal about funds that were allegedly siphoned off by corrupt officials instead of being properly disbursed to those in need topped the agenda.
The scandal was first reported at the Khon Kaen Protection for the Destitute centre, which helps the underprivileged and HIV patients.
The agency is supervised by the Social Development and Human Security Ministry (SDHSM).
It came to light after Panida Yotpanya, 22, a social science student at Maha Sarakham University, and three friends working as interns there lodged a complaint with the National Council for Peace and Order.
They claimed they were ordered by centre director Phuangphayom Chitkhom and other senior officials to fill in forms and add fake signatures on receipts for 2,000 villagers, worth nearly 7 million baht.
Many villagers claim they received less money than the receipts attest to.
After the scandal broke, the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission directed its focus on 37 of 70 provincial welfare centres across the country that are suspected of embezzling these state funds.
Mr Adul urged members of the public to actively fight graft so more culprits are brought to justice.
Independent agencies tasked with putting a lid on corruption, like the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), are failing to detect new cases, he said.
To help ensure there is no tampering in the ministry's probe into the welfare fund scandal, the PM's Office has ordered Puttipat Lertchaowasit, permanent secretary for the SDHSM, and his deputy, Narong Kongkam to be transferred to inactive posts.
Mr Adul said the results of the investigation must be presented to the public in a comprehensive and transparent manner if confidence in the ministry is to be restored.
Ex-Democrat MP Watchara Phetthong said it was one of the most egregious corruption cases he had ever seen.
Some civil servants who had objected to the embezzlement were forced to resign, he said, while those who benefited from the brazen graft got to keep their jobs. This shows how the ministry is failing at its job, Mr Watchara added. He said he was particularly concerned that some of the documents that should have served as evidence in the case have already been destroyed.
Former auditor-general Pisit Leelavachiropas blamed the lack of any mechanism to hold people accountable for the way state funds were disbursed.
Deputy government spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipak said he sympathised with the public's anger over the case, but asked that investigators be given time to do their jobs properly.
The regime does not take graft lightly, he added.
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