Abstract:
This research has as its main objective to study the form of comprehensive corruption in the Thaksin Shinawatra regime, including the method and process of corrupt practices, as well as bidding procedure in major construction projects and cases of electronic auction. A proposed guideline of problem solutions in both concrete and abstract forms is also presented, as the case represented an innovation in corrupt practices in major construction projects in the government sector during the Thaksin Shinawatra administration. The scope of the research covers investments in major projects of the government, methods and procedures used in corrupt practices, consisting of government policy making, value added process of the projects, and the introduction of information and communication technology in the procurement process of the government sector, including the forms and steps of e-auction, and ways to benefit from such practices. The study is made through in-depth interviews on sample groups, namely academics, construction industry operators, related government officials, and the media, as well as searching for secondary information from various sources to consolidate data obtained for more reliability. The research found that the Thaksin administration had maintained close relations with the construction business group, and had invented new methods in seeking benefits from the government procurement process, in the form of electronic bidding or e-auction. Such a mechanism has great impact on national administration of the Thaksin regime, resulting in a large increase of foreign investment in the Thai capital market, thus shoring up the Thai stock market, especially stocks in the construction industry, benefiting the construction business group, with members as close associates of the Thaksin administration. Moreover, it was found that the form and process in benefiting from electronic procurement resembled the original process in the form of tendering bids in hard copies, reflecting the gaps for politicians, construction business, political officials and permanent officials to benefit from the projects. But in cases of e-auction, providers of users auction center have emerged a new group of beneficiaries. However, electronic procurement has its advantages for the public sector, as it is the most transparent form of procurement, with the potential to reduce cost in certain projects of the country