Bangkok: Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party and prime ministerial candidate, has reaffirmed his commitment to addressing the issues of "grey funds and corruption," asserting that while the government possesses all the necessary tools, the effectiveness lies in the earnestness of their enforcement.

According to Thai News Agency, Abhisit responded to media inquiries concerning his strategy for combating illicit funds and corruption within the public sector. He pointed out that Thailand's primary challenge is not the absence of laws or tools, but rather the systemic "obstacles" that need to be decisively addressed within 90 days to regain public trust.

Abhisit emphasized that individuals within agencies tasked with combating illicit funds, who are suspected of lacking transparency, should remove themselves from investigative roles to ensure independent investigations and public confidence. He stressed that tackling illicit funds cannot rely solely on laws or technology, as controlling the issue is impossible if obstructive individuals remain within the system.

Addressing recent incidents, such as the collapse of a construction crane onto express train No. 21, Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani, at Ban Thanon Khot, Sikhiu District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, and another incident on Rama 2 Road, Abhisit noted that many so-called "accidents" result from corruption or irregularities. He asserted that the state possesses all the necessary legal means, including contract cancellations, blacklisting contractors, administrative fines, and criminal prosecution, but the crux is in their actual implementation.

Furthermore, Abhisit highlighted the importance of initiating investigations with independent fact-finding to reveal the truth and prevent future incidents. This includes leveraging government monitoring platforms to identify irregularities, such as duplicate names in multiple problematic projects, leading to more decisive legal actions.

On the idea of establishing a central investigative organization, Abhisit explained that the primary objective is uncovering facts and building public confidence, not just for a single project but also for significant past events like building collapses or mismanagement issues that tend to be forgotten over time.

In his concluding remarks, Abhisit reiterated that the fight against shady funds and corruption must be continuous, serious, and transparent, ensuring that the public has confidence in the state's ability to genuinely safeguard the public interest.