Bangkok: The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has proposed six urgent measures to the new government, urging a crackdown on corruption and illicit capital. In a forum titled "Zero Corruption: JSCCIB and Friends Will Not Tolerate It," organized under the theme "Stop Scammers, Shady Capital, and Nominees," the JSCCIB highlighted shady capital as a national threat affecting both the economy and sovereignty. They called for a reform of anti-corruption laws, invited political parties to propose anti-corruption policies, and urged the public to support political parties that do not engage in vote buying or illegal businesses.
According to Thai News Agency, the Joint Committee of the Three Private Sector Institutions (JCC) held the forum at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, themed "Stop Scammers, Gray Capital, and Nominees." The event saw participation from representatives of the business sector, political parties, academics, and anti-corruption organizations, all expressing their commitment to advocating for structural reforms to eliminate the cycle of hidden capital undermining the Thai economy.
Mr. Poj Aramwattananon, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Thai Chambers of Commerce, opened the event by cautioning that gray capital, scammers, and nominees pose not only an economic threat but also a silent threat to Thailand's business sovereignty. These groups use front mechanisms to siphon money and resources out of the country.
Mr. Poj explained that these investment groups exploit legal loopholes and non-transparent licensing systems, technically entering the system in ways that are unethical and undermine Thai entrepreneurs' competitiveness, especially SMEs. These businesses cannot compete with the hidden costs associated with money laundering, making survival difficult for legitimate enterprises.
Simultaneously, the JSCCIB proposed six urgent measures for immediate government implementation: clarifying the term "foreigner" to prevent hidden capital and nominee ownership, taking decisive action against illicit funds and scammer networks, reforming structurally corrupt government agencies, protecting whistleblowers, establishing a central database for government transparency, and ending gift-giving culture in bureaucracy and politics.
Mr. Poj also urged the public to vote wisely, supporting political parties with clear anti-corruption stances to restore the country's long-term economic stability. He challenged the new government to demonstrate sincerity by taking immediate action.
The forum served as a platform for academics and civil society organizations to suggest strategies to the new government, while allowing political party representatives to present their policies on combating corruption. Participants included independent academic Ms. Sarinee Achavanuntakul, Dr. Mana Nimitmongkol of the Anti-Corruption Organization (Thailand), and representatives from various political parties including Pheu Thai, People's Party, Democrat, Bhumjaithai, and Thai Sang Thai.