When the country inaugurated its new constitution in 1997, many hoped its corruption-fighting measures would fundamentally change the opaque and unaccountable way the country is governed. That hope is now fading. Questions are now being raised, both at home and abroad, about the party's reformist credentials. Supavud Saicheua, executive vice-president of Merrill Lynch in Bangkok, says the Democrats have abandoned the reform agenda in order to feed their patronage network before the elections, which must be held by the end of the year. Even United States Deputy Commerce Secretary Robert Mallot, during an August 25 stopover in Bangkok, suggested that the government scrap the tendering process for a passenger terminal at Thailand's planned new international airport, due to insufficient competition.
Some observers believe corruption continues to weigh heavily on the country's future.
That will make it difficult for the country to attract the substantive investment it needs for sustainable future economic development. If Thailand isn' t able to allocate its budget more effectively, corruption could cause even greater damage to the economy than it already has. That's why winning the war against corruption is integral for Thailand's long-term future. Yet there is some cause for optimism. New independent agencies charged with scrutinizing the activities of politicians and bureaucrats have bared their teeth.