Bangkok: The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) and the Anti-Corruption Alliance have proposed "5 Open Measures" aiming to make Bangkok a model of transparency for the upcoming 2026 gubernatorial and city council elections.
According to Thai News Agency, this initiative is intended to enhance public participation and allow scrutiny of government operations.
Mr. Poj Aramwattananon, Chairman of the Zero Corruption Working Group under JSCCIB, emphasized the importance of the upcoming elections in shaping the administrative direction of Bangkok. He noted that transparency is key in tackling major city issues such as flooding, traffic, waste, and pollution, which are exacerbated by inadequate data systems and limited public oversight. The proposal underlines the principle that "the governor keeps his word" by encouraging open access to information, enabling citizens to monitor budget efficiency and project implementation.
The "5 Openness" initiatives include Open Data, Open Government, Open Contracting, Open Permitting Process, and Open Risks Management. These measures call for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to make budget and procurement data accessible for public analysis, link contracting data to enhance oversight, and use technology to detect irregularities. The Open Contracting proposal promotes transparency in procurement processes from drafting to project delivery, with an emphasis on Integrity Pacts and verifying the true shareholders of contracting companies.
Moreover, the proposal advocates for an online platform to track budget utilization and project progress, enabling citizens to provide feedback on BMA services. It suggests streamlining approval and licensing through e-regulation to minimize discretionary power and curb corruption opportunities. Mr. Mana Nimitmongkol, representing the Anti-Corruption Organization (Thailand), highlighted that the core aim of the '5 Open' proposal is to empower citizens to scrutinize government operations effectively.
Mr. Mana stressed the necessity of committed leadership in transparent governance and public involvement for Bangkok's transformation into a model of transparency. The proposal is designed to establish a structural system for preventing and monitoring corruption, allowing greater public participation. The Zero Corruption Working Group, along with JSCCIB and allies, plans to continue pushing these systemic changes to ensure future city administration is transparent, accountable, and citizen-focused.