KRAC Insight | รู้จัก PEPs เครื่องมือช่วยประชาชนสืบค้นข้อมูลการโกง เชื่อมโยงเครือข่ายคอร์รัปชัน

Corruption is one of the major issues causing significant harm to Thailand and many ASEAN countries. Examples include embezzlement in procurement projects, bribery among officials, and political patronage systems.

Many corruption cases are not the work of a single individual but stem from complex networks involving various groups and individuals, including politicians, government officials, relatives, and close associates, who often play a role in expanding the scale of corruption.

Over a six-month study, the Open Data team from the Southeast Asia Anti-Corruption Network (SEA-ACN)—a coalition of civil society organizations in the region—worked to establish a shared definition of Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) between Thailand and Malaysia. This definition aims to serve as a critical tool for identifying and exposing corruption networks at the regional level.

To uncover the accomplices in these corruption networks, open data becomes essential for connecting the dots and bringing the perpetrators to justice. Today, KRAC Corruption invites you to explore the findings of the SEA-ACN Open Data team’s six-month study. This research introduces a framework for identifying PEPs and tracks corruption networks involving not only the individuals themselves but also their relatives, business partners, and close associates, such as spouses, who often play a role in expanding the scale of corruption.

Thus, KRAC Corruption invites you to explore our upcoming articles, which delve into the practical applications of PEPs definition and examine the role of data in addressing corruption. Below are the details of the three articles we will publish soon:

An exploration of the role of Open Data in exposing corruption networks, along with a comparative analysis of PEPs definitions between Thailand and Malaysia, presented by Natthapat Niaokul, Head of Open Data for Transparency at HAND Social Enterprise.
An introduction to the importance of Data Standards in enhancing the connectivity and accuracy of PEPs-related data, with insights from Wittee Phusitasai, Co-founder and Technical Lead of WeVis.

Lessons from cross-border collaboration in Malaysia and the use of advanced tools to investigate PEPs networks, featuring Khairil Yusof, Coordinator and Co-founder of the Sinar Project.

Prepare to uncover new dimensions in combating corruption and fostering transparency in Thailand and the ASEAN region in our upcoming posts !!