How the UK through the Prosperity Fund supported Thailand in its first Public Procurement Act

6,000,000,000 – The gravity of the number is more than the zeroes it carries. As highlighted in a research conducted by Transparency International in 2015, this figure refers to people living in countries that are seriously affected by corruption in the public sector. The results of the study clearly pointed out the crippling effects of corruption, as it goes beyond the questioning of government transparency and integrity towards its effects to people’s way of living. It is along these lines that the Prosperity Fund’s focal areas have centered on – supporting governments in tackling corruption to alleviate poverty and encouraging sustainable development for economic growth.

In 2015-16, FCO’s Prosperity Fund has supported the partnership between the British Embassy (BE) Bangkok and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in delivering a project supporting Thailand in its efforts to reform and modernise its public procurement system. The ‘Enhancing Integrity and Openness in Public Procurement in Thailand’ was part of the UNDP-wide program on “Advancing Anti-Corruption Efforts in Thailand – A Multifaceted Approach”. The government of Thailand, through the Comptroller General’s Department (CGD) has expressed its need for support in developing and increasing transparency in its public procurement system. The ultimate aim was to help ensure the effective development and implementation of the country’s Public Procurement Law. The law is expected to form an efficient and coherent procurement system for Thailand that included regulations, legal infrastructure, and institutional guidance and support. This will also cover all public entities, including central agencies, local governments, state-owned enterprises, independent organisations and other public institutions.

The UNDP, BE Bangkok and Thailand’s CGD, have worked closely together throughout the course of the year to effectively incorporate the reform efforts to organisational operations. The strategy centered on providing international technical expertise on the designs of the secondary legislation, institutional set-up and capacity development leading to a law operating under the principle of value for money and high integrity.

Workshops were organised to introduce the law and enable sharing of international experiences in implementing such. Extensive consultations with key stakeholders provided fruitful discussions and were held parallel to the review of the existing provisions of Thailand’s procurement processes and policies.

UNDP has then put forward a proposed strategy and roadmap laying out the design for building efficient legal structure and capacity development measures under the law. The project’s key recommendations were well received by the Thai government and further contribution of all these efforts ensured a more leveled playing field in the public procurement of the country.

By 7^th July 2015, the Cabinet has approved the draft law integrating recommendations from the project’s output. Consultative forums progressed ascertaining the law is in line with international good practice. The success of the project has led to further opportunities as the partnership with the UNDP was forged for a second year – now under the Cross-Government Prosperity Fund. This project is now on track to support the Thai government in designing secondary laws for the effective implementation of the Act. The 15^th of December 2016 became monumental for the project as success continued with the approval of Thailand’s Parliament of the country’s first Public Procurement Act.

The project on public procurement in Thailand is but one of several projects that the UK’s Prosperity Fund has supported in promotion of transparency and openness. This showcases how transparency sits at the centre of the UK’s interests. The UK, through the Prosperity Fund, has and will continue to pursue being a partner for change towards poverty alleviation and promotion of global prosperity through pursuing opportunities for international businesses that caters to global economic growth and development.