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Building Good Governance in Thai Society

*
Professor Dr. Bawornsak Uwanno

Background and Importance of the Subject

t present. the building of a democratic political system
A can no longer be based on a single model. This is
because the concept of democratization is closely associated with

governance. Democracy may not lead to national socio-economic
development if it exists along with bad governance.

The existence of bad governance both at the public
and private sectors has resulted in the economic crisis beginning
in Thailand and spreading to many countries in Asia. At the pub-
lic level. bad governance is attributed to corruption. cronysim and
inefficient management all of which originate from political
instrability. At the private level. bad governance is the result of

corruption and default but with the outcome of the patron or
manager of the company accumulation tremendous wealth.

The Thai government has been greatly aware that one
of the reason for the economic crisis is attributed to bad gover-
nance. For this reason. in the signing of the First Letter of Intent

between the Thai government and the IMF on 21 August 1997
which the IMF has agreed to lend an amount of US 17.2 billion to
alleviate the crisis. Thailand has concluded a clause on its efforts
to build a good governance.

Thus. the establishment of good governance is extremely
important to Thailand for several reasons :
First. good governance is the foundation of a stable

democracy and provide solutions to corruption problems at the

* Secretary General of King Prajadhipok's Institute