PM pledges to improve Thailand’s CPI

NONTHABURI, Dec 9 (TNA) -- Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha on Saturday pledged that his government would improve Thailand’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) and the Thai society would not tolerate malpractices. Speaking during the event to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day, proclaimed by the United Nations, jointly organised by the state-run Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission and related agencies in Nonthaburi, Gen Prayut said today is the historical day in which everybody participated in opposing corruption. Presently, Thailand scores only 35 points of Corruption Perception Index (CPI), far less than 50 points, said Gen Prayut, adding that the government wanted the country to achieve 50 points as soon as possible. Admitting that corruption persists in Thailand long time ago, Gen Prayut said it was difficult to say when these malpractices would disappear from the country. Changes are difficult but not too difficult to create a new culture which would not tolerate corruption in every form, he said. The government realises the problem and has declared anti-corruption the national agenda in which it requires cooperation from every sector to help ridding the problem, Gen Prayut added. Representatives of the UN and high-ranking officials participated at the function in which Thailand’s Courts of Justice received the first prize for the most transparent agency for the second consecutive year in 2017. (TNA)