Bangkok: Sirikanya Tansakul, Deputy Leader of the People's Party and its prime ministerial candidate, has announced a comprehensive plan for public sector reform aimed at creating a clean, lean, transparent, and efficient government. Through the launch of Operation 18, Sirikanya seeks to eliminate unnecessary licenses within 18 months, a move she believes will close corruption loopholes and free up funds for national development, akin to a 1% tax increase in revenue.
According to Thai News Agency, Sirikanya, who is also being considered for the role of Deputy Prime Minister for Public Sector Reform, highlighted the dual objectives of achieving a government free from corruption and enhancing governmental efficiency through digital technology. She emphasized that these goals are interconnected, advocating for a streamlined legal framework to prevent corruption. Operation 18 is designed to expedite the reform process, with a mandate that any licenses subject to alleged corruption must be resolved within 30 days, or else automatically approved.
Sirikanya addressed the issue of corruption penalties, noting that severe punishments like the death penalty have previously failed due to insufficient evidence for prosecution. She proposed adjusting the incentives to dismantle corruption networks, suggesting reduced sentences or witness protection for those who expose corrupt activities. Additionally, honest civil servants who report corruption would receive protection and rewards.
The reform plan includes making all procurement-related information, such as directors, shareholders, and asset accounts, transparent and interconnected to prevent conflicts of interest. Sirikanya also proposed specific bidding methods to eliminate rigged systems, which she argues will save the country significant funds, comparable to a 1% increase in value-added tax.
Sirikanya articulated a vision where civil servants can focus on meaningful work rather than being bogged down by paperwork. "We want to make it easier for civil servants to work, so they don't have to waste time on piles of documents. We want them to focus on valuable work and be able to return to serving the public," she stated.