Development of Anti-Bribery Systems and Mechanisms for Municipalities: Building Permit Application DOI:

Abstract

This article is partly of the research toward implementation of good governance in local administrative organizations with anti-bribery management mechanisms: a case study of application regarding building permit in municipalities. The objectives of this study are to 1) study the problems in implementing good governance in municipalities, 2) develop legal measures and apply good governance in practice of the municipality system and mechanisms for anti-bribery, and 3) evaluate and provide recommendations on the implementation of good governance with anti-bribery management to the systems and mechanisms of municipalities in the case of building permit applications. This was qualitative research and employed in-depth interviews. The researcher used purposive sampling to specific key informants from municipal areas with huge investment of business and economy as well as prime location of tourism in Thailand with high cost of construction in 12 locations. Data were analyzed by statistical programs and used descriptive statistics.

          The research found 4 major problems in implementing principles of good governance: 1) Rule of law: Laws and regulations related to building permits are outdated and allow officials to exercise excessive discretion. 2) Transparency: Many departments have not shown the process, duration of service provision and lack of user satisfaction assessments. 3) Participation: Although the sectors have provided opportunities to public participation in the administration of the municipality in some matters, many individuals still unknowing of roles. 4) Value for money: Most municipalities have incomplete online system of  building permit application.Regard with development of legal measures, the law must be clarified to reduce the chance for officials to exercise discretion in approving and permitting. The ISO 37001 standard must be applied to the process of building approving and permitting to show transparency, monitoring and evaluation.  The evaluation and recommendations on the implementation of good governance in local administrative organizations with anti-bribery management mechanisms also found that implementation of the anti-bribery management or ISO 37001 should be carried out under the PDCA.