National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) secretary-general Sarawuth Menasawet told a seminar in Saraburi yesterday that increasing public rejection of corruption was needed.

Pair this with increased penalties and making corruption a "special crime" and progress will be seen, he said.

National Economic and Social Development Board deputy secretary-general Uthit Khaothien said public help is needed to launch social sanctions or economic boycotts against businessmen or companies proven to be corrupt.

NCCC member Wicha Mahakhun said religions like Buddhism and Christianity used "social sanctions" as punishment for wrongdoers.

"It is better to use social pressure to show it is unacceptable. If corrupters come towards us, we walk away to show them we know that they are corrupt," fellow commissioner Klanarong Chantik said.

Commissioner Pakdee Pothisiri said companies that failed to practice good governance should be banned from business transactions and the stock market.

Wicha - who is the deputy chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee - is pushing for senators, members of Parliament and political office holders and local government officials to make asset declarations.

Commission member Prasart Pongsi-wapai announced a one-year project to combat corruption at the local government level.

Eight provinces will get their own corruption commissions with local members.

Provincial governors will chair these bodies. The pilot will be evaluated after one year.

"This will encourage public participation in fighting graft because local people know their problems and have more information than those at the national level," Prasart said.

Pakdee said the commission would fund the provincial bodies from its 2008 appropriation.