(Photo by Kiwiev via Wikimedia Commons)
A groundbreaking new bill is in the pipeline, aimed at streamlining licensing and establishing robust standards for government services. This promising legislative instrument is touted to significantly curb bribery and graft within the public sector, according to Wissanu Krea-ngam, the prime minister’s astute legal adviser. During a special lecture on the importance of preventing corruption in the public sector amidst the era of digital disruption, Mr. Wissanu revealed thrilling insights into this visionary bill.
This new bill is essentially an upgraded version of the 2015 Licensing Facilitation Act (LFA), which previously focused solely on the licence application and approval process. Intriguingly, this latest iteration, currently under the sharp scrutiny of the Council of State, widens its scope to encompass the application processes for essential public utilities such as electricity and water services. In a sweeping move towards transparency, state agencies will be mandated to craft and continuously update manuals that clearly articulate the necessary documentation for each government service, the associated fees, and the expected timeline for approval of requests.
Moreover, the bill envisions the creation of a one-stop service hub designed to maximize convenience for citizens. To uphold accountability, authorities who fail to meet these new requirements could face stern disciplinary actions. Mr. Wissanu expressed confidence that the bill is on track to be presented to the House of Representatives early next year. “If the House passes the bill as it stands, people won’t need to make tedious trips to district offices for most services,” he gleefully noted. “Services can be requested through an efficient electronic system, drastically reducing the opportunities for bribe solicitation. Additionally, if requests are delayed beyond the expected timeframe, citizens can lodge complaints.”
Looking back, Mr. Wissanu shared that the original LFA had been drafted more than 20 years ago but faced vehement objections from various ministries, stalling its progress. “Critics argued that it would inflate costs and fail to stymie bribery,” he recalled. The bill was gathering dust for a decade until the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) administration came into power following the 2014 military coup, reviving the legislative effort. The National Legislative Assembly examined the LFA as one of its first orders of business, an occurrence that Mr. Wissanu described would be highly improbable under normal circumstances.
The LFA was purpose-built to inject greater transparency into the licensing process. However, its impact has been muted, partly due to low public awareness of its provisions. Excitingly, Mr. Wissanu also revealed that the cabinet has approved a proposed amendment to the existing anti-graft law. This amendment aims to bolster protection for witnesses and tackles what is known as the strategic lawsuit against public participation (Slapp), a tactic notoriously used to intimidate and silence vocal critics. Before becoming law, this amendment will be rigorously examined by the Council of State and is tentatively scheduled to be presented to the House later this year.
Adding to the chorus of insights, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in the mindset of state officials and senior executives across both the public and private sectors to effectively combat corruption. “It’s not just about laws and regulations; it’s about changing the way we think and act,” he passionately declared.
In sum, the proposed bill and its accompanying amendments represent a bold stride towards a more transparent and accountable public sector, shattering the archaic norms that have long hindered progress. By embracing digital disruption and nurturing a culture of integrity, Thailand stands poised to forge a future where corruption is a relic of the past, and public trust is solidified.
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