In recent years, concerns over corruption and bribery have become increasingly widespread in both the public and private sectors. Recognizing the need for greater transparency and ethical business practices, many countries have taken steps to combat bribery and corruption. Taiwan is no exception, and has recently set up The Anti-Bribery Advisory Service (ABAS) Center aimed at providing guidelines to the private sector about giving bribes to government officials. This move is seen as a significant step forward in promoting greater integrity and accountability in the country’s business practices. In this article, we will take a closer look at the ABAS Center and the impact it is expected to have on Taiwan’s private sector.
Thailand Launches Anti-Bribery Service Center to Combat Corruption
Thailand has established an Anti-Bribery Advisory Service (ABAS) Center that falls under the supervision of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The ABAS Center provides knowledge, guidelines, and academic advice to the private sector about offering bribes to government officials. The move is a response to Thailand’s global ranking on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), where it currently ranks 101 out of 180 countries.
Thailand’s CPI score in 2022 was 42 out of 100, indicating that the situation regarding corrupt practices by those in the political circle, government agencies, and the private sector remains concerning. The establishment of ABAS is part of Thailand’s efforts to level up its CPI and become a leader in anti-corruption measures.
Thailand has also ratified and become a member of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the OECD’s Convention on Combating Foreign Bribery in International Business Transactions. Meanwhile, the NACC has rules for prosecuting private sector firms involved in bribing government officials and international agencies, making it known to private sector firms that they could be prosecuted if found to have been involved in corruption.
The NACC is focused on the prevention and suppression of malfeasance in government agencies. It investigates cases of corruption and monitors ethics and virtues of political position holders. It has the authority to file charges in court and can support and build awareness of the penalties for committing corruption.
The ABAS Center aims to provide the private sector with appropriate and effective anti-bribery measures to protect against corrupt practices, in line with the UNCAC and OECD conventions. The NACC also hopes to increase public awareness of the importance of reporting corruption when encountered, with the protection of whistleblowers a priority under Thai laws.
The establishment of ABAS is expected to bring positive results in Thailand’s fight against corruption. With the government and educational institutions actively promoting anti-corruption measures, it is hoped that the country’s CPI will improve in the near future. Thailand is looking to follow the example of Vietnam where CPI was 77 in 2022, considering that the country’s leaders are serious about prosecuting those involved in corruption.
In conclusion, Thailand has taken an important step towards combating corruption with the establishment of ABAS. The NACC is committed to its mandate of preventing and suppressing malfeasance in government agencies, prosecuting corrupt practices in the private sector, and monitoring ethics and virtues of political position holders. Meanwhile, the ABAS Center provides knowledge and guidelines to the private sector concerning anti-bribery measures, which is expected to improve Thailand’s CPI score in the coming years. With the protection of whistleblowers under Thai laws, there is renewed hope in the country’s fight against corruption.
