Bangkok: The Pollution Control Department (PCD) is preparing to address allegations of corruption, emphasizing that findings from the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) should be viewed as perceptions rather than comprehensive evaluations.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Surin Worakitthamrong, Director-General of the Pollution Control Department, reviewed a survey conducted by the Joint Committee of Three Private Sector Institutions (JCC) that identified the PCD as the agency with the highest rate of bribery. The survey claimed that bribes averaged 102,160 baht per instance, raising concerns due to the department's unblemished history over nearly 30 years. Dr. Surin highlighted that upon learning of these results, the PCD sought clarification from the JSCCIB regarding the data's origin and the verification process.
The JSCCIB responded with documentation on their survey methodology and principles, which Dr. Surin pointed out as lacking in comprehensiveness. The PCD maintains openness to scrutiny and investigation, underscoring the importance of transparency and integrity in tackling corruption. Measures have been implemented to review and enhance operational guidelines, and the department is working closely with other government bodies to prevent corruption.
The PCD has partnered with the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission to implement a Corruption Risk Management System, which has led to an "Excellent" rating in quality assessments for three consecutive years. The department is committed to enhancing its procedures and reducing discretion among staff to ensure greater transparency.
Further dissection of the survey methodology revealed several issues, including limited agency sampling, outdated questionnaire design, and inadequate scope that excluded broader perspectives such as those from the general public and academia. The survey's limited timeframe and differing questionnaire formats also raised concerns about data quality and representation.
The Committee on Consumer Protection criticized the survey's conclusions, noting that the confidence levels and margin of error were not sufficient for accurately representing agency-level data. The PCD strongly disagrees with the methodology used and warns against fraudulent activities where individuals might impersonate PCD officials.
Dr. Surin reiterated the PCD's commitment to fact-finding and transparency, urging the public to report any suspicious activities related to bribery or corruption.