404Million paid in bribes at customs!!

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CORRUPTION

 

Study: B404m paid in bribes to oil customs procedures

PHUSADEE ARUNMAS

 

Exporters, importers and shippers last year paid more than 400 million baht in "tea money" to oil the customs process, a survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce has concluded.

 

The survey was based on interviews with 500 exporters, importers, shippers and participants in the Customs Department's transparency project in April, said Aat Pisanwanich, director of the university's Centre for International Trade Studies.

 

Of 404 million baht paid under the table, 59% or 236 million baht was spent on voluntary tips for forklift and clerical services _ for example, to ensure a speedy release of goods before a late-penalty deadline and to shorten warehouse rental times.

 

Greater convenience in making transactions was made possible at a cost of 121 million baht (30%), to maintain a competitive edge.

 

Another 45 million baht (11%) was paid to cover up documentation errors and intended violations.

 

In the area of port kickbacks, Klong Toey port was the top earner, pocketing around 174 million baht. Don Muang port came second with 92 million baht, followed by Laem Chabang port (43 million baht), Lat Krabang truck terminal (28 million baht) and other ports (65 million baht).

 

But bribed officials face a bumpy ride this year, said Mr Aat, citing "the government's harsh measures to crack down on corruption".

 

Pornsil Patchrintanakul, deputy secretary-general of the Board of Trade, agreed with Mr Aat's observations.

 

The transparency project, under which businesses entered into a contract with the Customs Department to put an end to tea money payments, helps but has not done away with the habit, he said.

 

The export front has made more headway after electronic systems were introduced to reduce contact between businessmen and officials. Mr Pornsil said the 404 million baht did not take into account under-the-table payments for border trade.

 

The improved business climate is reflected in the Trade Facilitation Index for the second quarter of this year, which edged up across the board, said Mr Aat.

 

He demanded action to tackle "unclear and vague laws and regulations, and officials' inefficiency".

 

"Disputes under international trade law are subject to officials' discretion without any central panel being involved, giving businessmen no room for defence," Mr Aat said.

 

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