Bangkok: Political observer Thepthai Senpong has called for a complete constitutional overhaul to tackle corruption, following recent allegations of misconduct in local government recruitment exams. Thepthai, known for his outspoken views on political integrity, highlighted the inherent corruption in those who gain power through fraudulent means, urging close scrutiny of the Ministry of Interior's fact-finding committee.
According to Thai News Agency, Thepthai exposed the corruption scandal in the local government recruitment exam, describing it as a significant national concern. The fact-finding committee, tasked with investigating the allegations, failed to produce a conclusive report within the 7-day deadline. Their findings are expected to be submitted to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior within the next two days. However, the lack of progress has raised questions about the efficacy of ongoing investigations into corruption in recruitment exams for local government positions.
The Ministry of Interior's approach of allowing those who passed the exams to report for duty before addressing potential fraud has drawn comparisons to the Election Commission's practice of certifying election results before resolving disputes. This method has been criticized for its lack of assurance that investigations and subsequent disqualifications will be successful. The ongoing investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is anticipated to take approximately six months.
Thepthai's concerns are shared by many who worry about the future of Thailand's civil service recruitment process. Reports suggest that a significant percentage of elected Members of Parliament and Senators have gained power through corrupt practices such as vote buying and electoral fraud. Investigations are underway to establish the facts and potentially bring charges in the Supreme Court.
The issue of corruption extends beyond elections to civil service recruitment, with allegations of exam paper purchases, position buying, and other illicit activities. Despite efforts to uncover the truth, these practices continue to plague the recruitment process.
Thepthai emphasizes the need to address corrupt access to power to ensure an honest and transparent system. He sees the recent referendum, where 21.6 million Thai people voted, as an opportunity to draft a new anti-corruption constitution, ensuring that political figures and officials are appointed based on merit rather than corrupt means.