Corruption exists in every nation and no state is truly free from it. As countries grow and evolve, some develop political will to stem corruption and are able to decrease it. But the journey to full eradication of corruption is never ending as corrupt figures will undoubtedly develop more sophisticated ways to get their ways. Thailand has been dealing with corruption for centuries with varying success. The latest entity created to combat corruption is the National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC). NACC was established in 1999 to prevent, suppress, and investigate all forms of corruption in the public sector. As part of its education mission, the group founded the Anti Corruption Museum in Dusit district to encourage members of society to be aware and be vigilant against corruption.
The Anti Corruption Museum is located in a three-storey building. The permanent exhibition is divided into ten zones designed to take visitors on a journey from understanding to calls for action. The first few zones teach visitors on the general concept of corruption before delving deep into specific case studies. These include the infamous Klong Dan waste water treatment plant project that wasted 23 billion baht of taxpayers’ money, procurement of fire trucks and boats that costed 2.2 billion baht, and many other highlights. The next group of zones explain the roles and procedures of NACC and how it apprehends corrupt figures. As a close for the exhibition, the museum asks what visitors can do and showcase individuals who have led fights against corruption.
While the museum’s exhibition has English explanations, deep dives into the topic are mainly in Thai. It is best that one visits this museum with a Thai local who can translate and answer questions in order to appreciate the full experience. The museum is also aimed at educating young minds and as such, presentations are geared towards students. Should one happen to be in the Dusit district, visitors can learn about this often unexplored facet of Thai governance in the Anti Corruption Museum and use it to understand the complex history of the nation’s development.
