State Audit Office ridiculed after 'transparency' award
The SAO received the top ranking among independent agencies with a score of 94.64, despite being the subject of ongoing investigations into the collapse of its 30-storey under-construction office building during the March 28 earthquake, killing more than 90 people.
The ITA, conducted annually by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), surveyed more than 1.35 million stakeholders across 8,317 state agencies. The assessment aims to align with national anti-corruption strategies and improve Thailand's standing in the global Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), where the country currently ranks 109th out of 180.
However, the results sparked ridicule.
Rukchanok Srinork, a People's Party MP for Bangkok, mocked the ranking on her Facebook page.
"By now, everyone must have had a good laugh at the SAO winning first place for transparency," she wrote, adding that the ITA's methodology was unconvincing.
She noted that agencies are only compared within their own categories, for example, 76 provinces compete against each other, while only five independent organisations, including the SAO, are ranked together.
"It's no surprise the SAO topped its group. Even last year, the Election Commission was number one," she remarked.
Ms Rukchanok also recalled that earlier this year the SAO itself criticised the ITA, saying its tools failed to measure genuine transparency, and pointing out that the NACC's "No Gift Policy" had been undermined when one of its own executives was arrested for bribery.
"Everything starts with good intentions, but once adapted to Thai standards, it becomes meaningless. Agencies all score above 80 or 90, but has corruption declined? What benefits do citizens get from these assessments?" she asked, questioning the NACC's credibility.
Many netizens were sceptical. "So transparent, there's nothing left at all," read one post online; "If the SAO is the most transparent, what does that say about the rest?" read another.
Many noted that despite the glowing scores, ordinary citizens rarely feel included in the process.
The SAO defended the ITA, saying it is based on academic and statistical methods. The evaluation covers three areas: internal integrity and transparency, external integrity and transparency, and open data integrity and transparency.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bangkok Post
2 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Border aid packages get govt nod
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has endorsed a package of economic relief measures proposed by the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) to assist communities affected by the recent unrest along the Thai-Cambodian border. The affected communities are in seven provinces -- Trat, Chanthaburi, Sa Kaeo, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani. Following talks with TCC chairman Poj Aramwattananont on Thursday, Mr Pichai, who's also a deputy prime minister, confirmed the government's commitment to easing the impact of the clashes, with measures covering taxation, finance, tourism, labour, and agriculture. The TCC proposed several tax incentives, including double deductions for companies holding conferences or study trips in the seven affected provinces, along with a 90% cut in local taxes such as land, building, and signage fees. It also urged leniency for local businesses, including waiving surcharges and penalties for late tax filings or reduced profit declarations. The chamber further recommended extending tax deadlines by up to six months and temporarily lowering the withholding tax rate from 3% to 1% for one year for entrepreneurs in border areas. On financial relief, the TCC called for state-run banks to offer soft loans of up to 50,000 baht per household, with interest capped at 1% and a one-year repayment holiday. It also suggested establishing a 5-billion-baht restoration fund to revive the local economy. To stimulate tourism, the chamber urged the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to direct budgets toward conferences and seminars in the affected provinces, prioritising safe zones. Government agencies and local organisations nationwide were also asked to host meetings and study trips in these areas to help distribute income to affected communities.
Bangkok Post
3 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
BJT urges end to key MoUs
The Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) issued a statement urging all political parties to support the cancellation of the 2000 and 2001 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between Thailand and Cambodia, citing repeated violations of them and rising tensions along the border. According to Thai officials, Cambodia has breached the agreements more than 600 times since border clashes erupted. The BJT said its MPs, while assisting evacuees in Buriram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani, have continued to monitor the situation closely. The 2000 MoU concerns land border demarcation, while the 2001 MoU addresses the maritime boundary in an area believed to hold significant natural gas reserves. Critics argue the agreements undermine Thai sovereignty and have led to territorial encroachment, while supporters say they are essential for maintaining diplomatic channels. Bhumjaithai stressed that even without the MoUs, bilateral negotiations with Cambodia could continue. The party has filed an urgent motion in the House of Representatives calling for the creation of a special committee to study how best to cancel the agreements with minimal repercussions. It also proposed a referendum on the issue to ensure transparency and national consensus. "National matters must rise above party politics. Protecting the country is a duty that requires unity," the party said in its statement on Thursday. Meanwhile, the United Front to Defend Thai Sovereignty held a demonstration in Parliament Square, demanding the cancellation of MoUs 43 and 44, which concern land and maritime boundaries with Cambodia. The protest, beginning at 9am on Thursday, marked the first public gathering in the newly opened square. Led by figures such as former red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan and lawyer Kaewsan Atibhoti, the group voiced strong opposition to the deals. Police ensured order at the protest, which had been authorised until 5pm. Group representatives said the rally was organised in support of the BJT's push for the MoU cancellations and pledged to submit petitions to House leaders, including a demand that negotiations use the 1:50,000 map as a demarcation reference. Rangsiman Rome, chairman of the House Committee on National Security, also proposed forming an ad hoc committee to review the issue, warning that abrupt action could harm Thailand's interests, particularly in overlapping maritime zones where natural gas concessions are in play.
Bangkok Post
14 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Government grilled on border relief gaps
Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut has criticised what he described as slow, uneven and unclear compensation measures for people affected by the recent Thai–Cambodian border clashes. Speaking in the House of Representatives on Thursday, the People's Party leader urged the government to streamline its relief schemes through a one-stop service centre and revise regulations to ensure payments are made fairly and cover all households. He cited complaints from residents that they returned from evacuation centres only to find utility bills waiting at their homes despite the government's pledge to waive water and electricity charges. Others reported delays in receiving compensation for lost income, while families whose homes or vehicles were damaged were left uncertain about the procedures required to claim assistance. The opposition leader also called on the government to address the welfare of frontline personnel, including village defence volunteers and health workers, many of whom continue to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and cannot fully perform their duties. Responding on behalf of the prime minister, Deputy Interior Minister Theerarat Samrejvanich insisted the government has been providing continuous assistance since the clashes began on July 24 clashes. She said 100 million baht had already been allocated to seven border provinces to expedite relief. Evacuees, she said, received immediate support through local budgets, while those returning home were provided with essential supplies. Reviewing housing damage, Ms Theerarat said repairs were already under way. In Surin, 58 of 107 damaged homes had been repaired, while in Ubon Ratchathani, 129 of 137 had been restored. Buri Ram reported 14 of 16 homes fixed, and in Si Sa Ket, 134 of 445 homes had been repaired. In addition, she noted, private donors had provided prefabricated houses for families whose homes were destroyed. Regarding water and electricity bills, Ms Theerarat explained that the waiver applied only from early July, and some households may have received backdated bills from June or early July. The Provincial Electricity Authority had been instructed to offset those payments against future bills, she said. The deputy minister also noted that affected areas had been formally declared disaster zones in 42 districts across seven provinces, which allowed targeted relief to continue in phases: immediate, medium-term and long-term.
