Bangkok: The Prime Minister opened the ceremony commemorating the 18th anniversary of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. The Prime Minister presided over the event and presented awards to outstanding employees and officials. He advised them to eat plenty of pineapples so their work would be as productive as a pineapple. He also expressed hope that Thailand's membership in the OECD would help restore confidence in the country and bring it back onto the global radar, as well as help eradicate corruption.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Anutin Charnvirakul, led the opening ceremony under the theme "The Power of Faith, the Power to Hunt Down Corruption," and awarded outstanding NACC employees and officials for the year 2025. He emphasized that corruption remains a key public concern, necessitating ongoing development to combat new corrupt behaviors. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of clear, timely, and transparent operations by the NACC, urging integration with relevant agencies to ensure fairness and non-discrimination. He advocated for a policy of "hiding the name but revealing the act" to guide anti-corruption efforts.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the need for decisive action against government officials involved in serious disciplinary offenses, including the abuse of state power for political gain. Transparency, he noted, is crucial for public trust and international confidence. He called for continuous development of anti-corruption methods, leveraging both domestic and international information.
The Prime Minister encouraged NACC staff to work with quality, courage, and fairness, adhering to principles of protecting national institutions, upholding democracy, and adhering to the rule of law. He expressed confidence that public support would shield and support them in their duties.
He further stated that Thailand must gain international recognition and bargaining power by adhering to OECD standards. Thailand's application for OECD membership, supported by extensive documentation, aims to align the country with developed nations. The Prime Minister negotiated a three-year timeframe for achieving OECD standards, emphasizing the importance of Thailand's commitment to the process.
The Prime Minister concluded by reaffirming the government's awareness and ability to combat evolving corruption tactics, expressing confidence in overcoming challenges and eliminating corruption from Thailand.