The conference is to be held at the JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Mai Khao on July 10 and 11, with representatives of 23 countries invited.
The conference, organised by the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) bloc, will cover a range of topics, Chairat Khanittabutr, Assistant Secretary-General of the NACC, explained.
Speaking to press this morning, he said, “This conference is in Phuket because the island is here is famous and is well known to foreigners. Moreover, it has all the facilities needed to host an international conference such as this one.”
Talking about the conference itself, he said, “There is still a large amount of corruption among government official in Thailand and the situation is not improving.”
He noted that Thailand’s problem is also an international one because some officials hide the proceeds of corruption abroad. “It is very difficult to follow the money once it has gone abroad.
“So the topics of the conference will include relationships between countries in fighting corruption and improving efficiency in the fight against corruption, especially in tracking down the money that has been sent overseas and getting it back, and combatting money laundering.
“This conference, we hope, will give us more knowledge, and better systems and techniques for our work.”
The conference has already attracted some big names in fighting corruption, including Gary Lewis, the regional representative of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); David Luna, director for anti-crime programs at the US State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs; Peter Ritchie, Senior Advisor, International Crime – Policy and Engagement Branch of the Australian Attorney General’s Department and a representative of Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption.