Guidelines for Preventing and Monitoring Anti-corruption in the Public Sector by Civil Society Networks in Nakhon Sawan Province

Abstract

The purposes of this research article were 1) to study the formation of civil society networks in preventing and monitoring anti-corruption in the public sector; 2) to study the problems in preventing and monitoring anti-corruption in the public sector; and 3) to find ways to prevent and monitor anti-corruption in the public sector through civil society networks in Nakhon Sawan Province. This was the qualitative research using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with target groups, namely the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, Region 6, the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the STRONG civil society network, the Sufficiency Mind Against Corruption, and media professional associations in Nakhon Sawan Province. The research findings revealed that 1) the civil society network, formed from five member groups, aimed to promote good governance and combat corruption. A memorandum of understanding was established to form a working group for the coordinating center of civil society networks in combating corruption; 2) inconsistencies were found between the report and the actual situation problems, limitations of the policy against accepting gifts (with unclear penalties), lack of cooperation from the audited agencies, overlapping power structures, human resource issues, and problems with communication and public relations; 3) guidelines for prevention and monitoring of anti-corruption in the public sector by civil society networks in Nakhon Sawan Province, (3.1) promoting the expansion of civil society networks, inviting government and private sectors to become working groups of the Civil Society Network Coordination Center in Nakhon Sawan Province, (3.2) promoting communication and public relations, emphasizing public participation, (3.3) developing strategies for combating corruption in the public sector, enforcing laws equally, protecting whistleblowers, and using technology for monitoring and investigation, (3.4) driving and strictly overseeing policies in a transparent and verifiable manner, integrating cooperation from all sectors, building trust, and fostering a sustainable culture of integrity in society.