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Published on April 22, 2008

PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK

THE NATION

 

Vicha said these politicians wanted to escape scrutiny and avoid facing charges of conflict of interest.

He was speaking yesterday at a seminar organised by the Office of the Courts of Justice on the role of the courts in the prevention and suppression of corruption.

Vicha said the negative aspect of Thai culture, namely its patronage culture that fosters nepotism and corruption, was on a head-on collision course with anti-corruption agencies like the ACC.

"It's a strong collision," said Vicha, adding that Thailand can never hope to join the league of respected nations as long as it fails to ensure good governance. "Otherwise Thailand will sink lower and justify what some people have said - that everything about Thailand is good except the people themselves."

Corruption expert and economist Sangsit Piriyarangsan, another speaker, urged the public to be more sophisticated in recognising corruption.

Citing the work of a foreign academic, Sangsit said corruption could be divided into three types: black, grey and white. Black is the kind of corruption where the society at large concurs that it is corruption. Grey is the refusal of politicians to declare some of their assets and is often regarded by the public with differing views. Some see it as corruption - others do not.

White corruption, such as the mass transfer of police officers by the Samak Sundaravej government, is simply greeted by the majority as acceptable.