Bangkok: "Pharadon" chaired a meeting of the subcommittee on anti-bribery, collaborating with the private sector to reform the "approval and licensing" system using technology to reduce discretionary power and close loopholes for bribery. He approved pilot measures for hotel licensing in Phuket and adjustments to four public service agencies, vowing to complete the system reforms within one year.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Paradorn Prisnanantakul, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, announced the results of the first meeting of the Sub-Committee on Combating Bribery and Corruption Risks in the Public Sector, held in 2026. Mr. Phumivisan Kasemsuk, Secretary-General of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), and other relevant parties attended the meeting.
Mr. Paradorn stated that this meeting stemmed from a directive given by the plenary committee chaired by the Prime Minister. The meeting discussed several issues, particularly Thailand's very low Corruption Perception Index (CPI). The Prime Minister instructed that efforts be made to raise this figure. Since a significant portion of the CPI is attributed to bribery within government agencies, discussions were held with the Thai Private Sector Anti-Corruption Front (CAC), a member of this committee, regarding approaches and measures to prevent and reduce bureaucratic procedures and permits in the government sector.
The approval and licensing process, specifically regarding the alleged purchase of illegal goods, will be investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The purchase for expedited processing will also be addressed by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the NACC, focusing on resolving systemic and procedural issues alongside law enforcement. Private sector participation will be encouraged to identify risks and propose solutions. Digital technology will be utilized to streamline procedures, minimize interactions with officials, and reduce discretionary power that could lead to bribery.
Mr. Paradorn stated that the government's approach is to make anti-corruption efforts practically effective, ensuring that citizens and businesses benefit from easier, faster, and more transparent government services with clear regulations. The Digital Government Agency (DGA) will play a role by utilizing digital systems for approvals and permits. The government's goal is for all government agencies to have a "One Department, One Transparency, No Gray Areas" project, as previously announced. This committee will strive to complete the entire process within one year.
Mr. Paradorn stated that the meeting resolved to take actions that would directly impact the public and businesses, including removing the licensing process for hotels in Phuket province and accelerating the development of the Ministry of Interior's DOPA iService system into a fully digital system. This will allow citizens and businesses to submit applications, track progress, and receive licenses online independently, with clear timelines for consideration.
The subcommittee has four key missions: screening policy proposals to address systemic corruption and misconduct by government officials, defining risk prevention measures in critical government processes, and integrating the work of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), government agencies, and the private sector to enhance national anti-corruption efforts.
A reporter asked whether the approval and licensing process for all parties involved would need to disclose real-time information to applicants, licensors, and auditors. Mr. Paradorn stated that there should be a platform to disclose the current stage of the permit application process and clearly define the time required for each step, preventing applications from stalling at any stage, which could create opportunities for bribery.