Reference: Cops top graft list study finds, Bangkok Post, June 6, 2009

Corruption research is itself corrupted by the assumption that corruption derives from extortive demands made by corrupt officials and that these demands victimise innocent citizens (Cops top graft list study finds, Bangkok Post, June 6, 2009) but this is not always the case because there is also a supply side to corruption in which very rich citizens - far from innocent - use a combination of power and money to corrupt otherwise honest public servants and otherwise well functioning government agencies. Properly designed survey research minus the extortion assumption, may find that, in some sectors, corruption is imposed mostly from the supply side. Preventive measures designed only to protect honest citizens from evil officials are necessary but not sufficient. We also need measures to protect honest government officials from evil citizens.

Cha-am Jamal

Thailand