PM not disheartened by corruption ranking

BANGKOK, Jan 28 (TNA) -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha’s spirit is still high and not disheartened following a recent report by Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) which downgraded Thailand on rampant corruption in the kingdom, said a spokesman to the Prime Minister’s Office. Spokesman Lt Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Gen Prayut closely followed malpractices in Thailand constantly and was not upset by the CPI’s report. The prime minister will not neglect these weaknesses which include the image of government officials in the eyes of businessmen and had ordered government agencies to find out the root causes of the problem and to also resolve it, said Lt Gen Sansern. Gen Prayut has also ordered concerned officials, the private sector and the public to join hands in eradicating the corruption problem, Lt Gen Sansern said. “The government has been working very hard in more than two years in the past to fight against the problem,” he said, adding that a recent survey conducted by the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce showed that corruption problem in Thailand had improved sharply from six years in the past. The CPI said on Wednesday that Thailand’s score dropped from 38 points out of 100 in the previous year to 35 because of government repression, lack of independent oversight and the deterioration of rights eroded public confidence in the country. (TNA)