Deputy PM Pipat Orders Investigation into Port Authority, Highway Department, and Land Transport Department Corruption Allegations

Deputy Prime Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn addressed corruption allegations on May 15, 2569 at PAT Arena, responding to a Zero Corruption survey by the private sector-government joint committee that identified the Port Authority and Highway Department among the top ten most corrupt state agencies, with the Land Transport Department also appearing in the top ten for bribery solicitation rates. Pipat stated he would invite heads of the implicated agencies to clarify whether the allegations have merit, and would establish an investigative committee if evidence supports the claims. He instructed Transport Permanent Secretary Chayathorn Promsar to verify the survey's credibility, methodology, sample size, and case numbers before deciding whether to investigate only these three agencies or expand the probe department-wide.

Deputy Transport Minister Sompetch Bunyamani revealed that the Port Authority ranked second among the ten agencies with average bribes of 100,000 baht, and committed to examining the survey's detailed methodology and reliability. He confirmed the Transport Ministry's consistent emphasis on transparency and good governance, noting the ministry has internal controls while welcoming public and private sector oversight to strengthen government accountability.

Port Authority Director-General Krichpetch Chaichuay stated the agency was unaware which service division the allegations involved, given over 200,000 annual transactions and eight affiliated associations. He noted that 80-90 percent of port services have been digitized over the past 2-3 years, with vessel registration serving as a nationwide pilot program. The Port Authority plans to request detailed information from the joint committee to identify and address specific problem areas.