The Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT) has received a promising assurance from the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) that a previously shelved measure targeting money-laundering politicians is on the brink of revival. This dramatic turn of events was confirmed by the agency’s leader, Mr. Mana Nimitmongkol, amid swirling hopes at the ACT. Just this week, a fervent ACT petition soared through the corridors of power, imploring the anti-money laundering and narcotics committee connected to the House of Representative’s secretariat to reactivate the PEP (Politically Exposed Persons) policy. With a rallying cry, the committee clasped the petition close, urging Amlo to reconsider.
Intriguingly, Amlo disclosed that this potent measure was initially thrust into action in 2013, only to be tucked away silently in 2020. The shroud of mystery surrounding its sudden annulment left many speculating, yet a gleam of hope shines again as Amlo pledges to rekindle the PEP by mid-year following a supportive study.
The reinstated measure aims to meticulously identify “persons accorded political status,” casting its net over political post-holders and supreme officials from the courts, loyal institutions, the military, and the police. Even expatriates residing within the kingdom feel the breath of this vigilant watch.
Under this sharp eye, banks and businesses offering services like investment consultancy, gold shops included, are enlisted as watchful sentinels. They are tasked with sounded alarms to Amlo regarding PEP customers who might be dipping into suspicious money-laundering ventures or asset-laundering escapades. This creates a digital breadcrumb trail, ripe for plucking as courtroom evidence in probing the financial escapades of a PEP individual.
“Imagine,” Mr. Mana animatedly scribbles in the air, “lifting the veil on how funds cascade through the bank accounts of ministers, departmental chiefs, or top brass in the military and police daily. The PEP fantastically unmasks whether assets are squirreled away in investments or opulent expenditures, and pinpoints their locales.”
Jarringly, those gripping wealth from extortion, bribery, blackmail, drug trafficking, or human trafficking often shuffle cash hand-to-hand. Sooner or later, this cash craves the digital embrace of a bank account, from where it may sprinkle down the chain or twirl into cryptocurrency or shimmering gold.
Even during the PEP’s 2013-2019 run, Mr. Mana reflected ruefully, the hunt netted few culprits in its web. The faltering reconciliation was attributed to the hands-off approach adopted by officials, seemingly eager to shrouded allies in investigative immunity.
With renewed vigor, the ACT chairman ardently proposes the PEP’s enforcement arm-in-arm with the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s indefatigable peer into politicians’ asset declarations and the Revenue Department’s rigorous income tax crackdowns to wage war on corruption.
Piling intrigue upon intrigue, the freshly minted Global Financial and Economic Crime Outlook 2025, disseminated on April 10 by the Secretariat, casts Thailand in the reactive reformers’ limelight among 78 countries. The gallant land scored a 2.53 on the Secretariat Economic Crime Index (SECI), hovering amid scores of 2.19 to 2.83. It reveals Thailand’s grappling with limp anti-crime scaffolding, a tapestry of regulatory gaps, and a grey whirl of high-risk antics, besieged in a duel with financial crimes, all clamoring for more muscular regulatory muscle.
Finally, Thailand is taking steps against corruption by reviving the PEP policy. This is a major win for transparency!
I agree, but why did they stop it in the first place? It seems suspicious that it was shelved without explanation.
Exactly! It’s like they want to sweep it under the rug when it gets too close to home.
At least they’re looking at bringing it back. Something is better than nothing, right?
I wonder how effective this policy will really be. If it didn’t catch many culprits before, what’s changed now?
Hopefully they’ve learned from past mistakes and will be more proactive!
Proactive only works if the people enforcing it are held accountable. Otherwise, it’s all talk.
True, but maybe the new global anti-crime outlook has put pressure on them to really act this time.
If banks and businesses are involved, this could actually lead to significant change. Accountability on a systemic level is crucial.
It’s one thing to have policies and another to enforce them. Corrupt people are very resourceful, they’ll find loopholes.
That’s why a collaboration with multiple institutions like the NACC and Revenue Department is so important.
I support this measure, but how invasive will this be for regular citizens? Will it be misused to target political opponents?
That’s a valid concern. The line between security and privacy can get blurry fast.
Agreed, there need to be strict guidelines to prevent abuse of power.
Amlo seems committed now, but we need to follow up. Promises are easy; action is what’s challenging.
The delay in this policy’s revival seems to suggest there are higher-ups who aren’t on board.
Absolutely, internal resistance is probably huge. Too many people benefit from corruption.
This is just a show to satisfy critics, nothing substantial will change.
You might be right, but we shouldn’t dismiss the effort entirely.
While skepticism is valid, we should still acknowledge any effort against corruption as positive. Let’s hope for the best.
I hear you, but optimism can’t replace accountability. We need to see results.
I wonder if this will actually make a difference or just end up being a PR exercise.
The interplay of global pressure and local politics makes this very complex. It’s not easy to just shake off decades of ingrained corruption.
Even if this only catches a few politicians, it’s an improvement. Plus, it sets a precedent.
Let’s not forget historical context. Thailand’s political system has layers of complexity.
I’m cautiously optimistic about this development. Change is slow but every step matters.