Thailand Commences Early Anti-Corruption Initiatives in Public Construction Projects
The Integrity Pact scheme aims to enhance oversight from the initial bidding stages to bolster transparency and efficiency.
In a bid to strengthen anti-corruption measures in public construction projects, Thailand's Comptroller-General's Department has announced that the Integrity Pact (IP) programme will now include a requirement for third-party external observers to begin their oversight during the initial stages of the bidding process.
Patricia Mongkhonvanit, the director-general of the department, emphasized the need for this adjustment following the recent collapse of the 30-storey State Audit Office (SAO) building during construction, which was a focal point in the discussions about project oversight.
The SAO project was incorporated into the IP scheme after the bidding had already occurred.
In fiscal year 2020, the SAO submitted an application to the Anti-Corruption Cooperation Committee (CPT Committee), seeking participation in the IP programme.
However, it was not selected at that time due to ongoing determinations of a median price for the project.
In fiscal year 2021, the SAO reapplied for inclusion in the IP programme considering the project's complexity and the need for specialized monitoring to ensure transparency.
By that point, the project had progressed to the stage where it had been awarded to the contractor, having signed a contract with the ITD-CREC joint venture on November 23, 2020. Following this, the CPT subcommittee approved its inclusion in the IP programme.
Once the project was part of the initiative, observers provided monthly reports that primarily highlighted project delays but raised no additional concerns.
Mrs. Patricia noted that the IP programme applies to projects with a value of 1 billion baht or more.
For a project to be eligible for inclusion, observers must be engaged from the very beginning.
If a project is already underway, as with the SAO's situation, it cannot be selected for the programme.
Selection for the IP also hinges on budget considerations, as observers are compensated for their oversight services.
The Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT), appointed as the observer for the SAO project, underscored that it joined the IP after the bidding was complete and a contractor had already been decided.
The Integrity Pact is recognized globally as an anti-corruption tool for public procurement, devised by Transparency International.
The programme invites civil society representatives to monitor and report on procurement processes, thereby establishing a necessary system of checks and balances.
From fiscal years 2015 to 2019, the programme included 53 projects valued at a total of 160 billion baht, leading to budget savings of 73 billion baht or approximately 31.3% of the total procurement budget due to insights and recommendations offered by the observers to the responsible government agencies.
Patricia Mongkhonvanit, the director-general of the department, emphasized the need for this adjustment following the recent collapse of the 30-storey State Audit Office (SAO) building during construction, which was a focal point in the discussions about project oversight.
The SAO project was incorporated into the IP scheme after the bidding had already occurred.
In fiscal year 2020, the SAO submitted an application to the Anti-Corruption Cooperation Committee (CPT Committee), seeking participation in the IP programme.
However, it was not selected at that time due to ongoing determinations of a median price for the project.
In fiscal year 2021, the SAO reapplied for inclusion in the IP programme considering the project's complexity and the need for specialized monitoring to ensure transparency.
By that point, the project had progressed to the stage where it had been awarded to the contractor, having signed a contract with the ITD-CREC joint venture on November 23, 2020. Following this, the CPT subcommittee approved its inclusion in the IP programme.
Once the project was part of the initiative, observers provided monthly reports that primarily highlighted project delays but raised no additional concerns.
Mrs. Patricia noted that the IP programme applies to projects with a value of 1 billion baht or more.
For a project to be eligible for inclusion, observers must be engaged from the very beginning.
If a project is already underway, as with the SAO's situation, it cannot be selected for the programme.
Selection for the IP also hinges on budget considerations, as observers are compensated for their oversight services.
The Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT), appointed as the observer for the SAO project, underscored that it joined the IP after the bidding was complete and a contractor had already been decided.
The Integrity Pact is recognized globally as an anti-corruption tool for public procurement, devised by Transparency International.
The programme invites civil society representatives to monitor and report on procurement processes, thereby establishing a necessary system of checks and balances.
From fiscal years 2015 to 2019, the programme included 53 projects valued at a total of 160 billion baht, leading to budget savings of 73 billion baht or approximately 31.3% of the total procurement budget due to insights and recommendations offered by the observers to the responsible government agencies.
