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iCON Group Scandal Points to Deeper Corruption, Power Ties

The accusations against The iCON Group, a direct-selling enterprise led by “Boss Paul” Waratphol Waratvorakul, reveal extensive ties to multiple sectors.

The trail begins in the entertainment sector where celebrities have been manipulated as “puppets,” either knowingly or unknowingly, boosting The iCON Group’s credibility and drawing unsuspecting individuals into the scheme.

The controversy further spreads to the political arena, highlighted by an audio clip featuring a politician demanding bribes and offering backing from “divine forces” (prominent politicians) to shield the group.

Simultaneously, there is concern over the involvement of “civil servants and government agencies,” with allegations of corruption and power abuse to favor questionable business ventures.

Recently, scrutiny has intensified around the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), responsible for safeguarding citizens’ rights, after its leaders were implicated in the scandal.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) routinely evaluates the integrity and transparency of government bodies through its Integrity and Transparency Assessment (ITA).

In 2024, the national average ITA score was 93.05, an increase of 2.86 points from the previous year. Out of 8,325 agencies reviewed, 7,696, or 92.44%, scored over 85 points.

The national average score in 2023 was 90.19, marking a rise of 2.62 points from 2022.

Overall, the NACC’s ITA scores have consistently improved year over year, with a greater number of agencies achieving the standards. Nevertheless, corruption persists in Thai society despite these improvements.

The ITA scores for the OCPB were 90.87 in 2024, 91.46 in 2023, 90.14 in 2022, 89.66 in 2021, and 79.35 in 2020.

The Royal Thai Police’s scores were 85.92 in 2024, 58.80 in 2023, 81.56 in 2022, 86.96 in 2021, and 83.95 in 2020.

The Department of Special Investigation scored 92.98 in 2024, 92.63 in 2023, 95.43 in 2022, 91.38 in 2021, and 86.63 in 2020.

The scores for the Anti-Money Laundering Office were 89.59 in 2024, 87.80 in 2023, 95.04 in 2022, 97.45 in 2021, and 84.32 in 2020.

This raises the question: Do these agency performance scores translate into societal benefits, or are there adequate incentives for government officials to resist corruption, thereby preventing harm to the public?