กกร. หนุนเลือกตั้งคุณภาพ ต้านคอร์รัปชัน ลดต้นทุนแฝงFTI Supports Quality Elections, Anti-Corruption, Reducing Hidden Costs

On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, Mr. Kriangkrai Theeranukool, Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), presided over a press conference for the Joint Private Sector Committee of Three Institutions (JTPI), which included Dr. Poj Aramwattananont, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the General Chamber of Commerce of Thailand, and Mr. Phayong Sriwattanakul, Chairman of the Thai Bankers' Association. The event took place at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

FTI is actively driving the Zero Corruption Task Force and the “Intolerant Friends” network while also thanking political parties that have made anti-corruption a policy and are communicating it genuinely to the public.

FTI highlights that corruption is a hidden cost affecting the country's competitiveness and invites citizens to participate in quality elections by choosing parties that stand firm against corruption, thereby reducing hidden costs and promoting economic transparency.

Corruption is considered a highly significant hidden cost that impacts the competitiveness of businesses at all levels amidst mounting pressures. A clearly publicized survey indicates that 97% of the business sector and 72% of the public perceive corruption as a serious issue, with political parties often having anti-corruption policies for campaigning but failing to implement them genuinely. Therefore, FTI and the Intolerant Friends network will continue to push for Zero Corruption persistently beyond just the election period.

In the past, the Joint Private Sector Committee of Three Institutions (JTPI) has continuously promoted anti-corruption issues as a societal trend through various activities and events, including forums, symbolic campaigns, public opinion surveys on political parties' anti-corruption policies, media production and installation, as well as publicity through various channels of the network, such as promotional displays, websites, and social media, to raise awareness and encourage broad participation.

The private sector remains committed to expanding the success of the Zero Corruption initiative, aiming for a tangible structural integration that elevates intolerance towards corruption as part of the policies and practises across all sectors, rather than merely a short-term campaign during election periods. They also open space for collaboration in addressing related issues such as scams and corruption in the electoral process.

Regarding the issue of bribery, the Task Force is preparing to hold a press conference after the elections to reveal survey results on the topic “Thai Businesses Still Face Demands for Bribes When Requesting Permissions,” to inspire and emphasize that the government's commitment to combating corruption is a national agenda, and to push for substantial and continuous actions.

Currently, the Zero Corruption Task Force: FTI and Intolerant Friends has 26 participating government and private sector networks, representing a significant pooling of resources from the private sector and associated networks, led by the Joint Private Sector Committee of Three Institutions (JTPI), alongside key partners such as the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT), the Private Sector Collective Against Corruption (CAC), and the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), as well as academic and policy advisory institutions including the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI).

Moreover, collaborations with government agencies have been established to connect law enforcement, including the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Office of the Auditor General, alongside supporting networks from the business sector such as the Stock Exchange of Thailand, the Marine Department of Thailand, the Tourism Industry Council of Thailand, the Thai Capital Market Association, the Association of Accountants, and various foreign chamber of commerce partners in Thailand (JFCCT).

Simultaneously, there has been media cooperation from various networks including the Thai Fresh Market Association, the Thai Retailers Association, the Thai Hotels Association, the Thai Restaurants Association, Central Retail Group, BTS Group Holdings Public Company Limited, Siam Piwat, the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRT), and other member companies.

“FTI clearly expresses its intention to campaign for the public across the country to prioritize anti-corruption in their electoral decisions. For the elections on February 8, we invite citizens to exercise their rights responsibly by choosing political parties that have tangible anti-corruption policies and avoiding parties or candidates involved in corruption and vote-buying, in order to collectively elevate political standards, ensure transparency, and enhance the competitiveness and income generation of all sectors comprehensively.”