Former Finance Minister on Policy Corruption and Vote-Buying

MGR Online•Society•10d ago

Reader Briefing

Former officials and experts discussed policy corruption and political systemic failures during a seminar organized by Council 3 on September 10, 2026.

•The seminar titled 'Eliminating Policy Corruption' took place on September 10, 2026, at the Rattanakosin (Royal) Hotel.
•Theeraphachai Phuvanatnarunaban identified vote-buying and populist policies as the root causes of policy corruption.
•Dr. Rawee Maschamadol argued that political parties controlling MPs, Senators, and independent organizations increase corruption opportunities.
•Pisit Leelawachirophas described policy corruption as a national agenda issue that causes severe social and economic damage.

Overview

•On September 10, 2026, Council 3 held a seminar titled 'Eliminating Policy Corruption' at the Rattanakosin (Royal) Hotel on Ratchadamnoen Road.
•Theeraphachai Phuvanatnarunaban stated that Thai political systems encourage vote-buying through populist policies and public debt increase.
•Theeraphachai Phuvanatnarunaban warned that the collusion in Senator selection is an attempt by those with an agenda to overthrow the regime.
•Dr. Rawee Maschamadol claimed that since the Thaksin Shinawatra government, policy corruption has become commonplace through Cabinet resolutions and law amendments.
•Dr. Rawee Maschamadol cited data suggesting Thailand suffers approximately 500 billion baht in corruption annually.
•Sawit Kaewwan asserted that over 40 percent of the national budget is lost to corruption.
•Pisit Leelawachirophas noted that the Office of the Auditor General building collapse is being investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
•Preeda Tiasuwan warned that Bangkok will partially be underwater by 2030 according to some academics and the World Bank.

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Key Entities

Organization

Council 3(สภาที่ 3)

The organizer of the seminar on eliminating policy corruption.

Palang Dharma Mai Party(พรรคพลังธรรมใหม่)

The political party led by Dr. Rawee Maschamadol.

State Audit Office(สตง.)

The organization previously headed by Pisit Leelawachirophas.

State Railways of Thailand Labor Union(สหภาพแรงงานรัฐวิสาหกิจการรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย)

The labor union formerly presided over by Sawit Kaewwan.

CRP(ครป.)

The organization where Neeranuch Jitsom serves as Deputy Secretary General.

National Anti-Corruption Commission(ป.ป.ช.)

The body overseeing the investigation into the State Audit Office building collapse.

DSI(ดีเอสไอ)

The agency that referred the case to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

World Bank(ธนาคารโลก)ℹ️

An institution cited regarding the risk of Bangkok being underwater.

Person

Theeraphachai Phuvanatnarunaban(ธีระชัย ภูวนาถนรานุบาล)

Former Minister of Finance and seminar speaker.

Rawee Maschamadol(ระวี มาศฉมาดล)

Leader of the Palang Dharma Mai Party and seminar speaker.

Pisit Leelawachirophas(พิศิษฐ์ ลีลาวชิโรภาส ศ์)

Former Governor of the State Audit Office (SAO) and seminar speaker.

Sawit Kaewwan(สาวิทย์ แก้วหวาน)

Former President of the State Railways of Thailand Labor Union and seminar speaker.

Preeda Tiasuwan(ปรีดา เตียสุวรรณ์)

International businessman and seminar speaker.

Adul Khiaoboriboon(อดุลย์ เขียวบริบูรณ์)

President of the Relatives of the May 35 Heroes who opened the seminar.

Neeranuch Jitsom(ณีรนุช จิตต์สม)

Deputy Secretary General of the CRP and moderator of the seminar.

Thaksin Shinawatra(ทักษิณ ชินวัตร)ℹ️

Former government leader mentioned by Dr. Rawee as the start of policy corruption.

Place

Rattanakosin (Royal) Hotel(โรงแรมรัตนโกสินทร์ (รอยัล))

The venue where the seminar was held.

Policy

Thai Chuay Thai Plus(ไทยช่วยไทย พลัส)

A government project identified as a form of policy corruption by Theeraphachai Phuvanatnarunaban.

Thiao Duay Kan Plus(เที่ยวด้วยกัน พลัส)

A project mentioned as an expansion of problematic funding sources.