Thailand must show its sincerity in fighting graft by rushing ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, both private and public sectors urged over the weekend.
That would not only ensure enforcement against corruption in the country and cooperation from treaty members, but also prove that the government was serious, as Thailand will host the International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) from November 10-14, participants at a roundtable hosted by Krungthep Turakij said.
Thailand became a signatory to the pact in 2003.
HOW IT WILL HELP
Ratifying the UNCAC could also help return ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to stand trial here in the near future or speed up the trial of well-known financier Rakesh Saxena, the roundtable pointed out.
All UNCAC signatories - 135 countries at present - are obliged to coordinate with each another on mutual legal assistance and asset recovery for crimes, even to the extent of extradition.
Signatories must also support international investigation and apprehension among member countries.
Dusit Nontanakorn, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the private sector is proceeding with cracking down on corruption among themselves, but the government should move in the same direction by ratifying the convention as soon as possible.
"It's quite strange that we apply to be a member of the pact and we will be the host country of IACC but we have not yet ratified it," he said.
Utis Kaothien, a senior expert of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, said ratification is one of the key measures against corruption. It will allow Thailand to gain social recognition and quick responses to its proposals.
The government should set a timeframe for ratification since it has been a member for years, he said.
'FIRST RATIFY, THEN AMEND'
The government has defended the delay by saying it needs to amend laws, which will take time, to facilitate the signing.
Utis suggested that the government ratify the pact first then amend the laws to ensure enforcement. Another way is to commit to the members a definite period - whether three or six months - to ratify it.
"There are still two months before Thailand hosts such an international conference and we should set a certain time limit for ratification now if we want to secure support from other members," he said.