26 July 2024, Mr. Monthien Chareonpol, Auditor General of the State Audit Office of Thailand (SAO), shared insights on the newly announced strategic collaboration with key anti-corruption and money laundering agencies aimed at intensifying efforts against corruption in public procurement.
Mr. Monthien Chareonpol stated:
"This collaboration marks an important step in our ongoing efforts to ensure the integrity and transparency of public spending. By integrating our expertise with that of other specialized agencies, we are committed to identifying and addressing corrupt practices more swiftly and efficiently.
The scale of these issues underscores the need for proactive and collaborative measures. Our joint efforts will not only deter potential offenders but also help restore public trust in government operations.
Our focus will be on enhancing financial oversight by deploying our experts to join the investigative processes from the outset. We aim to scrutinize financial transactions and procurement practices thoroughly to detect any irregularities and potential corruption.
Additionally, the streamlined investigation and prosecution processes that this collaboration will facilitate are crucial. By combining resources and expertise from all five agencies, we can ensure a more efficient response to corruption cases.
We have received approximately 3,000 complaints annually, with over 80% related to procurement fraud. This partnership will enable us to act more decisively on these cases, ensuring that corrupt practices are identified and addressed promptly.
Ultimately, this initiative will create a more transparent, accountable, and corruption-free environment in Thailand’s public sector operations, significantly contributing to the nation’s economic development."
♻️About the Cooperation:
The strategic collaboration involves five key agencies: the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), and the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) under the Royal Thai Police. The main objectives of this cooperation are:
1. Enhanced Financial Oversight: The SAO will deploy its experts to join the investigative processes from the outset, scrutinizing financial transactions and procurement practices to detect irregularities and potential corruption.
2. Streamlined Investigation and Prosecution: The collaboration aims to expedite the process of investigating and prosecuting corrupt officials. The integration of resources and expertise from all five agencies will ensure a more efficient response to corruption cases.
3. Comprehensive Data Sharing: The agencies will establish robust mechanisms for sharing information and intelligence, facilitating a comprehensive approach to tackling corruption and financial misconduct.
4. Targeted Operations on High-Value Projects: The alliance will focus on high-value public projects, particularly those involving significant state expenditure, to ensure transparency and accountability. Several major projects, including infrastructure developments in northeastern Thailand, are already under scrutiny.
This partnership represents a unified front against corruption, leveraging the strengths of multiple agencies to safeguard the integrity of Thailand’s public procurement system.
Arranged by
International Affairs Office
State Audit Office of the Kingdom of Thailand
26 July 2024
