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57-499: IACC has developed a number of global initiatives that run independently of the conference, such as Young Journalist Initiative, Social Entrepreneurs for Transparency, Journalists 4 Transparency, anti-corruption film festival, and the Fair Play music Anti-corruption competition. The table below shows the location of each IACC since the conference was first held in 1983. The 14th IACC was held In Bangkok between 10 and 13 November 2010 with

114-550: A constitutional crisis almost occurred when it appeared that the Parliament would not be able to convene within the constitutional time limit (see April 2006 House election results ). Thammasat University law lecturer Kittisak Prokati, a drafter of the post-2006 coup constitution , claimed that "the weakness of the 1997 constitution was that it was a charter without any constitutional or theoretical foundation." Although constitutional articles (specifically, article 80) committed

171-563: A military-dominated government that gained power due to the 1991 Constitution provoked public calls for a more accountable system of government. In June 1994, the Committee of Democracy Development of the House of Representatives was established during the government of Chuan Leekpai . Chuan was forced to establish the Committee following a hunger strike by prominent activist Chalard Vorachat . The Committee, headed by academic Prawase Wasi , amended

228-1229: A successful military coup , and was replaced by the 2006 Constitution on 1 October 2006. Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) Dipangkorn Rasmijoti Paetongtarn Shinawatra ( PTP ) Phumtham Wechayachai ( PTP ) Suriya Juangroongruangkit ( PTP ) Anutin Charnvirakul ( BTP ) Pirapan Salirathavibhaga ( UTN ) Pichai Chunhavajira ( PTP ) Prasert Jantararuangtong ( PTP ) Wan Muhamad Noor Matha ( PCC ) Mongkol Surasajja [REDACTED] Wan Muhamad Noor Matha ( PCC ) Pichet Chuamuangphan ( PTP ) Paradorn Prissanananthakul ( BTP ) Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut ( PP ) [REDACTED] Mongkol Surasajja Kriangkrai Srirak Bunsong Noisophon President: Chanakarn Theeravechpolkul President: Prasitsak Meelarp President: Nakarin Mektrairat Diplomatic missions of / in Thailand Passport Visa requirements Visa policy Borders : Cambodia Laos Malaysia Myanmar (Maritime : India Indonesia Vietnam) Foreign aid The " Black May " public uprising against

285-508: A crowded Bangkok ballroom that Thailand urgently needed a new constitution, to help avert the potential calamity of political violence that might follow the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej . None of the media outlets in the room dared report this highly sensitive speech. The 1996 amendment called for the creation of an entirely new constitution by a special committee outside the National Assembly . The Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA)

342-579: A law lecturer at Chiang Mai University. They maintain that the NACC shows selective enthusiasm by expediting cases against the political opposition while ignoring those brought against those in power. As of 2018 , fourteen years after the Thai military and police spent millions on fraudulent GT200 "bomb detectors", the NACC investigation is still "on-going". Surasak Keereevichien, an NACC member, stated in August 2018 that it

399-494: A self-sacrificing minister of defence can live so frugally off a monthly salary that he can pick among Milles (3), Rolexes (7), Patek Philippes (4), Piguets (2)...every morning before setting off to work." As of July 2018 , the NACC had still not concluded its eight month-long investigation, citing the "refusal" of Thai watch retailers to provide information on timepiece serial numbers. The NACC now has to seek ownership information from watch manufacturers. "This will take time..." said

456-404: A third, 1,191 cases. Of the thousands of cases processed by the committee, only 105 led to convictions not overturned on appeal. The majority of convictions have not involved rich or powerful defendants. All but one involve infractions by mid- or low-level administrators such as mayors, school directors, policemen, clerks, and registrars. The NACC has 2,192 "ongoing" cases. Some date back to 1999,

513-558: Is a constitutional organization of Thailand. It is sometimes confused with the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT), a private foundation. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2517 (1974) Section 66 stated "The State should organize government service works and other works efficiently and should take all steps to prevent and suppress the quest for benefits by corruption means." The Counter Corruption Act

570-420: Is a Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand and Minister of Defence. The NACC gave Prawit until 8 January 2018 to clarify why some Prawit assets, such as 18 luxury watches, were not listed on his mandatory asset declarations when he took office after the 2014 coup d'etat. As more watch disclosures became public, the NACC extended Prawit's deadline to 19 January. On 29 December, Worawit Sukboon, secretary general of

627-456: Is difficult for the anti-graft agency to ascertain whether there was any wrongdoing committed in the 1.13 billion baht purchase of fake "remote substance detectors". He said the NACC would come up with a decision on the matter "at an appropriate time. The NACC will not allow the statute of limitations to expire...." Surasak claimed that officials bought the devices despite their exorbitant price tag because they thought they would work. "Sometimes, it

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684-564: Is not about the value of devices. It's more about belief, just like when you buy Buddha amulets ," Surasak said. "Officials who used this device found it worth the price. But some people see the price as too high." When the GT200 scandal first came to light, the equipment was tested by the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and it found that the GT200 consisted of two pieces of plastic and lacked any electronic components, as

741-560: Is responsible for "...keep[ing] the Election Commission of Thailand (EC) in check...." It claims that the EC is thought by many to be politically biased, but that the NACC itself lacks credibility and has made no progress in its handling of public complaints about the EC's seeming political favouritism. Not all cases are equal in the eyes of the NACC, according to Srisuwan Janya, a government transparency activist, and Somchai Preechasilpakul,

798-1008: The Administrative Court , the Office of the Auditor-General, the National Human Rights Commission , the Consumer Protection Organization, the Environmental Conservation Organization, and an Ombudsman were established. In 1999, the Organic Act on Counter Corruption B.E. 2542 (1999) was enacted. It created the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) as an independent commission in April. The Constitution of

855-582: The Constitutional Court and the National Anti-Corruption Commission, was very high. However, critics complained that the government had sought to politicize the process of appointments to independent agencies. The January 2001 House elections , the first House elections contested under the 1997 constitution, were called the most open, corruption-free elections in Thai history. Political parties were effectively strengthened, and

912-511: The Election Commissioners were jailed and the election results overturned by the Constitutional Court . The constitution was also criticized for the lack of clarity with which it defines the King's role in politics (see Royal powers and 2006 demand for royal intervention ). The Senate's role in scrutinizing Constitutional Court appointments came under much criticism (see Appointment of

969-484: The US Department of Justice (DOJ) claimed that Rolls-Royce had paid more than US$ 11M in commissions, aware that some of the funds would be used to bribe officials at Thai energy company PTT and its subsidiary PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP). The payments were made from 2003-2013 and related to contracts for equipment and after-market products and services. Admitting its guilt, Rolls-Royce paid US$ 170M to settle

1026-629: The 1991 Constitution but was unable to push through further reform. However, it did identify many basic frameworks which would become influential for subsequent political change. After the collapse of the Chuan government, the 1995-1996 government of Banharn Silpa-archa established a Political Reform Committee which amended the Constitution again on 22 October 1996. Efforts to adopt a new constitution gained increasing public support. On 2 November 1995, noted royalist and social critic Dr. Prawase Wasi declared to

1083-444: The 1991 Constitution, and was widely hailed as a landmark in Thai democratic constitutional reform, it represented the most democratic constitution in the nation's history. The Constituent assembly was elected by the National Assembly (Thailand) on 26 December 1996, shortly after 1996 Thai general election . The 1997 constitution was the first constitution to be drafted by a popularly elected Constitutional Drafting Assembly, hence

1140-511: The 1997 constitution continued to rely on the 1924 Palace Law of Succession with regards to succession. The Palace Law was based on primogeniture , and the heir apparent was Prince Vajiralongkorn . As with most post-1974 constitutions, the Privy Council could appoint a princess as successor to the throne, but only in the absence of an heir apparent. Amendment of the Palace Law of Succession was

1197-580: The Fair Play Anti-corruption Music. The conference featured 60 workshop sessions structured around four identified global challenges: The 18th IACC was held in Copenhagen, Denmark from 22 to 24 October 2018. The 19th IACC was planned to be held in Seoul, Korea from 2 to 5 June 2020. In light of the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) , it was postponed to 1 to 4 December 2020. While

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1254-581: The Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2550 (2007) specified (in Chapter XI, Organs under the Constitution; Part 1, Independent Organs under the Constitution; Section 246), that the NCCC consists of a president and eight other members appointed by the king with the advice of the senate. Section 251 stated that the NCCC shall have an independent secretariat, the Secretary–General of the National Counter Corruption Commission as

1311-674: The NACC said, "We will investigate this case. It won't take a long time because it's not complicated." By law, political office-holders as well as high-ranking officials must report their assets before assuming their posts and after they leave the posts. They are not required to declare assets while in office. He is said to have filed asset declarations on 22 December 2008 when he became defence minister under Abhisit Vejjajiva ; on 10 August 2011 when stepping down from that role; on 9 August 2012, one year after stepping down from his previous role; and on 4 September 2014 when he became deputy prime minister and defence minister. The Bangkok Post estimates

1368-404: The NACC the "National Allowing Corruption Commission". 1997 constitution of Thailand The Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, Buddhist Era 2540 (1997) ( Thai : รัฐธรรมนูญแห่งราชอาณาจักรไทย พุทธศักราช ๒๕๔๐ , RTGS :  Ratthathammanun Haeng Ratcha-anachak Thai Phutthasakkarat Song Phan Ha Roi Si Sip ) was a constitution of Thailand enacted on 11 October 1997 to replace

1425-399: The NACC was asked in a letter from an opposition politician to explain why it did not find Prawit guilty of failing to declare 22 borrowed watches. The NACC did not reply until 25 May 2020, after 17 months had passed. The NACC then acknowledged that the owner of the watches lent them to Prawit. It also confirmed that Gen Prawit had returned the watches after he used them. The NACC said that this

1482-489: The NACC. In August 2018, eight months after Gen Prawit's watches became an issue, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha removed Prawit from the NCPO's National Anti-Corruption Committee. The committee has not met for over a year, but the optics of a powerful figure who is the subject of an NACC investigation on the committee invited derision. On 26 December 2018, the NACC unanimously cleared Prawit of any wrongdoing. On 3 January 2019,

1539-557: The National Anti-Corruption Commission (ONACC), reports to the president. The NACC commission is occupied by a group of eight NACC commissioners and the president. Branches of the NACC include the operations branch, administrative branch, technical branch, and an administrative support unit attached to the ONACC. The NACC's FY2019 budget is 2,239 million baht . In brief, the NACC is charged with combating corruption by high-ranking government officials and politicians. A similar organization,

1596-510: The Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) under the Ministry of Justice focuses on corruption by low-level governmental officials. In accordance with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2550, NACC shall have the following powers and duties: As of February 2017 since its inception in 1999, the NACC has accepted 3,383 cases for investigation. Of those, investigators found evidence of corruption or malfeasance in about

1653-591: The Prawit watch investigation. He promised a "...'professional, transparent' [inquiry], although it will take some time." NACC secretary-general Worawit Sukboon asked the media not to ask about the matter again until "early next month" (February 2018). The Bangkok Post described NACC's handling of the case like this: "On Friday...the NACC announced its version of action. It intends in a couple of weeks, possibly, to consider steps that will lead to starting to get ready to prepare to study an entirely objective fact-finding into how

1710-976: The South Korean government was still the IACC host, the conference took place virtually. The 20th IACC was held in Washington, D.C. in the US from 6 to 10 December 2022 on the theme of "Uprooting Corruption: Defending Democratic Values." The 21st IACC was held between 18 and 21 June 2024 in the LITEXPO centre in Vilnius , Lithuania. Its theme was "Confronting Global Threats: Standing Up for Integrity". National Anti-Corruption Commission (Thailand) The National Anti-Corruption Commission ( Abrv: NACC; Thai : คณะกรรมการป้องกันและปราบปรามการทุจริตแห่งชาติ , RTGS :  khana kammakan pong kan lae prap pram kan thutcharit haeng chat )

1767-545: The case. PTT vowed to investigate. Subsequently, PTT Chairman and CEO Tevin Vongvanich said that the company was unable to find anyone who "allegedly took bribes". The Bangkok Post has characterised NCAA's actions in the Rolls-Royce case "timorous and ineffective". As of May 2020 , the NACC is still investigating the case. In December 2017 the NACC opened an investigation into Prawit Wongsuwan 's asset disclosures. Prawit

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1824-578: The constitution's successful approval. The draft was approved by the National Assembly with 518 votes for, 16 against, and 17 abstentions. A referendum, called for if the draft was rejected by the National Assembly, was not necessary. The 1997 constitution had 12 Chapters and a section of Transitory Provisions, containing a total of 317 Sections. Compared to previous Thai constitutions , The 1997 constitution had contained several innovations in key areas, including: Like most preceding constitutions,

1881-494: The core quality of an independent agency." The NACC is known for its lengthy investigations of corruption complaints filed by the public and for its lack of success in prosecuting the rich or powerful. NACC's perceived lack of performance has attracted scorn in Thailand. Typical is the assessment of a Bangkok Post editorial, "The biggest disappointment, as it has been for years, is the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). As

1938-425: The draft. A process of public consultation took place on a nationwide basis. Some clauses, particularly the requirement that all MP's hold bachelor's degrees, the party list system, the Constitutional Court , and decentralisation provoked strong criticism, particularly from smaller parties. The Asian Economic Crisis of 1997 increased public awareness about the need for reform, and has been cited as an impetus for

1995-433: The effective number of parties in the legislature fell dramatically from an average of 6.2 before 1997 to 3.1 in 2001. While the number of parties decreased, remaining parties developed clearer and more distinguishable platforms. The Constitution also weakened the legislative influence of civil servants and local power-brokers and businessmen, while strengthening political parties and professional politicians. Most criticism

2052-461: The first Constitutional Court ). The Senate was criticized for its allegedly partisan behavior, with both pro- and anti- government factions being elected in the Senate elections of 2006. Restrictions on campaigning and political party membership for members of the Senate led one commentator to call it a "motley collection of B-list celebrities and D-list hangers-on." In House elections in April 2006 ,

2109-407: The first time so she could prepare her defense. One reason for the NACC's poor conviction rate may be that NACC employees are harassed and threatened in the performance of their duties, necessitating the use of bullet-proof vehicles by NACC staff. Many of the NACC's efforts are aimed at public awareness activities such as public service videos. The Bangkok Post has pointed out that the NACC

2166-702: The intensity of anti- corruption initiatives, and to fully honour all existing anti-corruption agreements. The 15th IACC was held in Brasilia between 7 and 10 November 2012, with the theme "Mobilising people: connecting agents of change". The conference was organised by the IACC Council, with Transparency International as the secretariat and in association with the Brazilian Office of the Comptroller General (OCG), AMARRIBO Brazil and Instituto Ethos. The 16th IACC

2223-469: The investigation, "And you'll never guess how many government ministers and army chiefs (currently in government) the NACC found responsible. Whoa! Yes, 'zero' is correct. How did you know?" Aircraft engine-maker Rolls-Royce has admitted to British authorities it paid bribes three times in Thailand over the course of 15 years: US$ 18.8M from June 1991 to June 1992, US$ 10.38M from March 1992 to March 1997 and US$ 7.2M from April 2004 to February 2005. Altogether

2280-411: The leading graftbusters [sic] in the country ranked 101st least corrupt, the NACC has done little to justify itself...Since the military coup that promised crackdowns on corruption, the NACC has concluded only a single case—the malfeasance investigation which led to the indictment of ex-premier Yingluck Shinawatra . That is the very opposite of a war on corruption." One columnist went so far as to relabel

2337-401: The new tie-up made no mention of the scandal revealed two years ago showing that Thai government officials had received Rolls-Royce bribes to buy the firm's engines. Thai and Rolls-Royce executives ignored the connection. The government has taken no action and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has been silent on the revelation." In a separate but related action against Rolls-Royce,

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2394-527: The payouts amounted to just over one billion baht. The NACC, investigating the case, has been accused of mishandling it, with no bribe-takers identified nearly two weeks after the British firm's 17 January 2017 admission to a UK court that it had bribed Thai Airways and Thai government officials to win engine orders. In 2018 Rolls-Royce and Thai Airways signed a deal making Thai a Rolls-Royce maintenance hub. The Bangkok Post reported, "The press release announcing

2451-444: The purchase of 493 of the "worthless [Alpha 6] boxes" at a cost of 350M baht. The British scammer who sold the devices to Thailand was found guilty of fraud in the UK and imprisoned in 2013. The Bangkok Post fumed that, "The disappointing and unsatisfactory outcome of this astoundingly long investigation shows up the enormous failings of the anti-graft commission." As one columnist summed up

2508-511: The sole prerogative of the reigning King. The 1997 Constitution's successor, the 2006 Interim Constitution , was conspicuous in its failure to mention the matter of succession. The Constitution was called a "revolution in Thai politics... A bold attempt at conferring greater power to the Thai people than had ever been granted before." It was highly praised for the participative process involved in its drafting, its enshrinement of human rights, and its significant advances in political reform. It

2565-459: The superior responsible directly to the President of the NCCC. In 2008, the NCCC's name was changed to National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The NACC is presided over by the president of the NACC commission. As of February 2017 the president of the NACC commission is Police General Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit, a political appointee. An NCAA secretary-general, Warawit Sukboon, in the Office of

2622-833: The theme “Restoring trust: Global action for transparency”. The conference was hosted jointly by the IACC Council, the National Anti-Corruption Commission , The Royal Thai Ministry of Justice and Transparency Thailand. Delegates from over 130 countries were present at the conference, which was also attended by the Prime Minister of Thailand Abhisit Vejjajiva , World Bank Managing Director Sri Mulyani Indrawati , Asian Development Bank President Haruhiko Kuroda and Transparency International chair Huguette Labelle . The conference featured 40 workshop sessions structured around four identified global challenges: The conference concluded as all attending nations pledged to increase

2679-474: The value of Prawit's 16 known timepieces at "...up to 22M[illion baht]" (US$ 685,000). Critics have questioned why the NACC appears to be giving Prawit special treatment and ignoring its standard operating procedures in his case. They have pointed out that Pol Gen Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit, the incumbent NACC president, is a former Prawit subordinate and a political appointee of the ruling junta. On 9 January 2018, Watcharapol announced he had taken personal charge of

2736-520: The year of the agency's founding. One such case involves an allegation of fraud against a schoolteacher in Chiang Mai . She learned of the allegation in February 2017. The teacher, Jiamjit Boonyarak, is accused of embezzling students' dorm fees and stealing from other projects in 1998. An investigation was not launched until July 2011. On 9 February 2017, the NACC formally informed Jiamjit of the allegations for

2793-489: Was a case of "loan for use", and, as such, was not required to be declared. The ruling was greeted with dismay by some civil groups. The core mandates of the commission are to root out corruption by investigating unusual wealth or abuses of power for personal gain committed by government officials or politicians. Critics have charged that the commission tackles issues of a political nature that do not involve corruption per se. Thus, "...it has not remained politically impartial,

2850-619: Was advertised in a brochure distributed to potential customers. According to the Bangkok Post , "Because it was so thoroughly and risibly cheated, the army has never fully accounted for the GT200's cost, in baht and in human lives. Rough estimates put the economic cost at around 500 million baht." A related case—that of the Alpha 6 drugs detector—was declared "closed" in May 2018 after 10 years of investigation. Three minor officials are deemed responsible for

2907-584: Was based on the view that the Constitution was too effective in some of its reforms. One of the members of the Drafting Committee, Amorn Chantarasomboon , claimed that an overly strong and stable government brought on a " tyranny of the majority " and a " parliamentary dictatorship ." Independent agencies like the National Human Rights Commission and the National Anti-Corruption Commission were also criticized as weak and vulnerable to government and court challenges. Following House elections in April 2006 ,

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2964-538: Was formed with 99 members: seventy-six of them directly elected from each of the provinces and 23 qualified persons short-listed by the Parliament from academia and other sources. Anand Panyarachun , Premier in 1991 under the military regime , was selected as a member of the CDA and appointed Chairman of the Drafting Committee. Political scientists and jurists Chai-Anan Samudavanija , Amorn Chantarasomboon , Uthai Pimchaichon , and Borwornsak Uwanno were key influencers of

3021-663: Was held in Putraya between 2 and 4 September 2015, with the theme "Ending Impunity: People, Integrity, Action". The Conference was organised by the IACC Council, with Transparency International as the Secretariat in association with the Malaysian Anti-corruption Commission. The 17th IACC took place in Panama City between 1 and 4 December 2016, with the theme "Time for Justice, Equity, Security and Trust", The Conference

3078-494: Was organised by the IACC Council, with Transparency International as the Secretariat in association with National authority for Transparency and access to Information ANTAI and TI National Chapter in Panama. The four-day conference was packed with opportunities for anti-corruption activists and experts to exchange, learn and enjoy through workshops and panels, film screenings, plenaries, an evening networking events and an outdoor concert,

3135-474: Was popularly called the " People's Constitution ". The 1997 constitution created a bicameral legislature . For the first time in Thai history, both houses were directly elected . Many human rights are explicitly acknowledged in the text, and measures were established to increase the stability of elected governments. The Constitution was repealed by the Council for Democratic Reform on 19 September 2006 following

3192-476: Was promulgated in 1975 and allowed the establishment of Office of the Commission of Counter Corruption (OCCC), but OCCC was granted little power to combat corruption. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2540 (1997) added checks and balances to assure integrity and transparency in government. New independent government agencies like the National Counter Corruption Commission, the Constitutional Court ,

3249-554: Was viewed as successful in fostering democratic development and increasing political stability. Its measures to politically empower and protect citizens were also praised. The new constitution was cited for its role in bringing down the Ministers of Public Health and Agriculture during corruption scandals in the government of Chuan Leekpai . There was also praise for the ease with which the constitution could be amended. Public faith in democracy in general, and in constitutional agencies like

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