Bangkok: The Subcommittee on Anti-Bribery, chaired by Mr. Paradorn Prisnanantakul, has initiated a collaboration with the private sector to reform Thailand's "approval and licensing" system. The reform aims to use technology to reduce discretionary power and close loopholes for bribery. Initial measures have been approved for hotel licensing in Phuket, and adjustments are planned for four public service agencies, with the goal of completing the reform within one year.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Paradorn announced the outcomes of the first meeting of the Sub-Committee on Combating Bribery and Corruption Risks in the Public Sector, held in 2026. The meeting, attended by Mr. Phumivisan Kasemsuk, Secretary-General of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), and other stakeholders, originated from a directive by the Prime Minister. Discussions focused on improving Thailand's low Corruption Perception Index (CPI), which is heavily impacted by bribery in government agencies. The committee, including the Thai Private Sector Anti-Corruption Front (CAC), explored strategies to streamline bureaucratic procedures in government permitting processes.
The meeting addressed issues related to the approval and licensing process, particularly the alleged procurement of illegal goods. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) will investigate expedited processing purchases, focusing on solving systemic issues and enforcing laws. The private sector will be involved in identifying risks and suggesting solutions. Digital technology will be leveraged to streamline procedures, minimize interactions with officials, and reduce discretionary power leading to bribery.
Mr. Paradorn emphasized the government's commitment to making anti-corruption efforts effective, ensuring that citizens and businesses benefit from more transparent government services. The Digital Government Agency (DGA) will implement digital systems for approvals and permits, adhering to the "One Department, One Transparency, No Gray Areas" initiative. The committee aims to complete the reform process within a year.
The meeting resolved to take action impacting the public and businesses directly. This includes unlocking the hotel licensing process in Phuket by developing the Ministry of Interior's DOPA iService system into a fully digital platform. This change will allow applications, progress tracking, and license issuance to occur online, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and official discretion. Additionally, proposals from the private sector will be incorporated to streamline processes in four agencies: the Department of Business Development, the Department of Intellectual Property, the Department of Internal Trade, and the Department of Land Transport. The focus is on reducing procedures, increasing convenience, and minimizing discretionary power.
Mr. Paradorn outlined the subcommittee's four key missions: screening policy proposals to address systemic corruption, defining risk prevention measures, and integrating the efforts of the NACC, PACC, government agencies, and the private sector to enhance national anti-corruption initiatives. The approach targets closing loopholes at the source, streamlining processes, clarifying regulations, increasing digital adoption, and fostering private sector involvement to reduce bribery opportunities. The ultimate goal is to simplify government interactions for citizens and enable businesses to operate under transparent and fair regulations.
A reporter inquired about the transparency of the approval and licensing processes. Mr. Paradorn suggested that a platform should be available to disclose real-time information on applications, licensors, and inspectors, similar to the system used by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). Such transparency would define the time required for each step, reduce approval time, and prevent stalling, which could otherwise create opportunities for bribery.