Thailand's Anti-Corruption Drive

ANCHOR:
Looking back, Thailand's anti-corruption drive has claimed the career of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra but few believe the kingdom is any closer to ridding itself of pervasive graft. This initiative is welcomed but even the watchdog association set up by the army does not believe corruption can be eradicated so easily. Nevertheless, there is a growing movement across Asia to oust corrupt leadership.

STORY:
Corruption has greased the wheels of politics and commerce in Thailand for years.
So when a military coup ousted this man for abusing his power there was hope that might change.Thaksin Shinawatra - the telecoms tycoon-turned-politician - has been charged with changing tax and telecommunications policies to benefit his business; of giving neighbouring Myanmar a government loan so it could buy products from one of his companies; and of helping his then wife purchase this prime piece of Bangkok real estate... from the government.
Though in exile since the coup, he's been sentenced to two years in jail and his 2 billion dollar Thai bank account frozen.
His ex-wife's been convicted of tax evasion.
But nobody, even the members of the Asset Examination Committee, appointed by the army to investigate Thaksin, believes Thailand has now rid itself of corruption.
[Sak Khosangruang, Asset Examination Committee]:"It's impossible that politicians will not be corrupt just because of a few charges. But at least it's a way to get misbehaving politicians to trial. Everyone should be treated equally -- both politicians and normal people."
Thaksin might have gone into exile - but many have thought subsequent leaders were just his puppets. The People's Alliance for Democracy movement was pushing for a new political order.
Their months of protests culminated in the seizure of Bangkok's two main airports, leaving foreign tourists stranded and badly damaging Thailand's tourism industry.
There's now a new prime minister, but protester leaders vow they'll return if any Thaksin ally gets near power again
[Panthep Pourpongpan, Peoples Alliance for Democracy]:Any bad politician needs to be punished by society. Waiting for the justice process takes too long. So Now the politicians need to be more careful when they do things and make sure they are transparent. We hope they will be more careful in what they are doing."
The campaign against corrupt leaders is gaining momentum across Asia.
But many hope the judicial system will remain above reproach themselves to follow through with holding corrupt leaders accountable.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• ntd
• thailand
• pm
• anti
• corruption
• drive
• Thaksin
• Shinawatra

[sangsomphil]

I MET A MAN WHO WAS A BANKER FROM THE UK. HIS ADVICE WAS NEVER HAVE MORE THAN 1000 POUND IN A THAI BANK, EVERYTHING IS BEING ACCESSED BY THE MAFIA. WHEN THE KING DIES, THERE WILL BE A FIGHT, THE KING WANTS HIS DAUGHTER TO BE QUEEN. THE KINGS WIFE WANTS HER SON TO BE KING. THIS MAN IS HATED BY ALL FOR BEING CRUEL AND GREEDY. WHEN I SAY ALL I MEAN THE THAI PEOPLE. BLOOD WILL SPILL. THE WESTERN MONEY WILL BE LOST ALONG WITH THEIR PROPERTIES.BE WARNED

[sangsomphil]

THE HOSPITALS, THEY SELL THE MEDICINES,GET COPPIES AND THE PEOPLE GET EVEN MORE SICK. PEOPLE IN THE VILLAGES ARE SCARED OF HOSPITALS. BECAUSE YOU GO THERE TO DIE. YOU DIE TONIGHT, YOURE BURNT TOMORROW. A POLICEMAN,TEACHER,DOCTOR,POLIT­ITION CANNOT LOOSE FACE.OR PROVED TO BE CORRUPT,BECAUSE OF MONEY. IF A BIG ONE FALLS LIKE THASKIN, HE STILL COMES BACK,BUT IT COST MORE.

[sangsomphil]

LOCAL ELECTIONS, A POLITICAL CANDIDATE WILL STAND HANDING OUT MONEY WITH POLICE PROTECTION,FOR VOTES. HE IS FROM BANGKOK.THE AREA KHON KAEN. HE GETS GOVERNMENT MONEY FOR RUNNING KHON KAEN, A PLACE HES ONLY SEEN ONCE.

[sangsomphil]

EVEN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IS A FARCE. IF A CHILD FAILS EXAMS,GO SEE THE TEACHER,PAY MONEY,AND YOU WILL GET THE RESULTS TO GO TO UNIVERSITY, WHEN YOU FAIL AT THAT TO, YOU PAY AGAIN AND GET A DEGREE FOR WHATEVER YOU WANT. THIS IS CALLED TEA MONEY, ALL SCHOOLS UNIVERITIES DO THIS. THIS IS FACT NOT FICTION.KILL SOMEONE, PAY THE POLICE. WORSE THAN THAT YOU PAY THE JUDGE.

[sangsomphil]

THE WORLD SENT MONEY FOR THE TSUNAMI,WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MONEY.THASKIN BOUGHT 200 RAI OF PRIME COAST LAND.WHERE MANY DIED. THE DEAD COULD NOT PROVE THEY OWNED IT. SO NOW THERE ARE HOTELS WHERE ONCE STOOD HUMBLE BUILDINGS FOR THE POOR. THERE IS NO JUSTICE.............HES STILL IN POWER. THE KING IS JUST AS GUILTY AS BEING GREEDY,LETTING HIS OWN BANK BALANCE INCREASE ALONG WITH ALL CROOKED POLITICIANS.THERE IS NO PART OF THE ECCONOMY THAT IS FREE FROM CORRUPTION

[sangsomphil]

THASKIN NOW HAS HIS SISTER AS PRIME MINISTER,HE HAS NOT GONE,HIS FAMILY NOW RUNS THAILAND