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Abolish Bounty Rewards: Close Door on State-Created Bribes

Abolish Bounty Rewards: Close Door on State-Created Bribes

Thansettakij•Economy•11d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai anti-corruption advocate calls for abolition of bounty rewards, citing their role in fostering corruption and deviating from official duties.

  • •Dr. Mana Nimmanmongkol, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT), supports the planned abolition of bounty rewards for customs officials.
  • •The article highlights five reasons why bounty rewards should be canceled, arguing they lead to bribery, distorted work ethics, and unequal treatment among officials.
  • •ACT proposes replacing bounty rewards with performance-based recognition, similar to systems in the United States, or rewarding departmental achievements instead of individual ones.

Overview

  • •Dr. Mana Nimmanmongkol, Chairman of ACT, expressed support for the Director-General of the Customs Department's decision to abolish bounty rewards for officials up to C8 level.
  • •The primary reason for abolishing bounty rewards is to align with EU standards, as Thailand is currently negotiating an FTA with the EU.
  • •Currently, 147 Thai laws allow for bounty rewards to be paid to state officials, intended to incentivize performance and reduce bribery.
  • •Instead of reducing bribery, bounty rewards have created an opportunity for officials to choose between legal bounty rewards or illegal but easier and faster bribes.
  • •The system has led to officials prioritizing cases with high reward potential, sometimes engaging in "traps" or excessive enforcement to secure rewards, which constitutes a conflict of interest.
  • •Unequal distribution of bounty rewards has caused disputes within agencies and between different departments, leading to unfairness.
  • •ACT proposes abolishing bounty rewards and implementing performance-based rewards, similar to the United States, or rewarding departmental achievements.
  • •Professor Matee Krongkaew, former NACC committee member, reiterated that giving or receiving bribes is universally incorrect and advocated for fostering civic responsibility.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Source: Thansettakij (Original)

Key Quotes

Dr. Mana Nimmanmongkol
"It is time to abolish them to comply with the standards of EU countries with whom Thailand is negotiating an FTA."
ถึงเวลาต้องยกเลิกเพื่อให้เป็นไปตามมาตรฐานของกลุ่มประเทศ EU ที่ไทยกำลังเจรจา FTA อยู่
Dr. Mana Nimmanmongkol
"Conversely, it creates negative consequences and becomes a factor that generates more corruption."
ตรงกันข้าม กลับสร้างผลเสียและกลายเป็นปัจจัยที่ก่อให้เกิดคอร์รัปชันมากกว่าเดิม
Dr. Mana Nimmanmongkol
"Officials can easily enforce laws according to their will because there are many related laws."
เจ้าหน้าที่สามารถเลือกบังคับใช้กฎหมายตามใจตนได้ง่าย เพราะมีกฎหมายเกี่ยวข้องจำนวนมาก
Dr. Mana Nimmanmongkol
"Bounty rewards should be abolished and replaced with rewards based on outstanding performance evaluations."
ควรยกเลิกรางวัลนำจับเสีย แล้วเปลี่ยนเป็นการให้รางวัลจากผลประเมินการปฏิบัติหน้าที่ดีเด่น
Professor Matee Krongkaew
"Giving or receiving bribes, regardless of who gives or receives them, is considered incorrect."
การให้หรือรับสินบนไม่ว่าจะให้ใครหรือโดยใคร ก็ถือว่าไม่ถูกต้องทั้งสิ้น

Key Entities

Person

Dr. Mana Nimmanmongkol(ดร.มานะ นิมิตรมงคล)
Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT), advocating for the abolition of bounty rewards.
Director-General of the Customs Department(อธิบดีกรมศุลกากร)
The official who announced the intention to abolish bounty rewards for customs officials.
Professor Matee Krongkaew(ศาสตราจารย์ เมธี ครองแก้ว)
Former committee member of the NACC who stated that giving or receiving bribes is incorrect.

Organization

Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT)(องค์กรต่อต้านคอร์รัปชัน (ประเทศไทย))
An organization advocating for the abolition of bounty rewards, led by Dr. Mana Nimmanmongkol.
Customs Department(กรมศุลกากร)
The government department whose officials are subject to the planned abolition of bounty rewards.
European Union(EU)ℹ️
A bloc of countries whose standards Thailand is aiming to meet by abolishing bounty rewards.
National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)(ป.ป.ช.)ℹ️
A commission from which Professor Matee Krongkaew is a former member, commenting on bribery.

Law

Free Trade Agreement(FTA)ℹ️
An agreement Thailand is negotiating with the EU, motivating the abolition of bounty rewards to meet standards.

Place

United States(สหรัฐฯ)ℹ️
A country whose performance reward system for officials is suggested as a model for Thailand.