Tilleke & Gibbins has become the first law firm to join Thailand’s Collective Action Coalition Against Corruption (CAC). Darani Vachanavuttivong, co-managing partner and managing director of the firm’s intellectual property group, signed the commitment at a ceremony marking National Anti-Corruption Day on September 6, 2012.
The ceremony, organized by the Anti-Corruption Network, was held at the conclusion of a full day of activities at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center which featured presentations on anti-corruption issues led by several prominent speakers, including Mr. Pramon Sutivong of the Anti-Corruption Network, Dr. Somkid Lertpaitoon of the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), and Mr. Mechai Viravaidya of the Mechai Viravaidya Foundation.
By signing the CAC, Tilleke & Gibbins has reinforced its ongoing efforts to tackle the problem of corruption in Thailand. Signatories to the CAC commit to prohibiting bribery in any form, putting in place internal compliance programs to educate employees and monitor business conduct, and sharing best practices with industry peers, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
“Corruption continues to inhibit foreign investment and limit Thailand’s economic growth,” Darani said. “As Thailand’s largest independent law firm, we recognize the importance of taking a leadership role in supporting the Rule of Law and opposing corruption—a battle our firm has been fighting for decades. We’re therefore proud to support the CAC in its efforts.”
Other signatories to the CAC include some of Thailand’s largest publicly listed companies and prominent foreign investors, including Airports of Thailand, Bangchak Petroleum, Bangkok Bank, Bank of Ayudhya, Banpu, Bumrungrad Hospital, Central Pattana, Kasikorn Bank, Mercedes Benz, Nation Multimedia Group, PTT Exploration and Production, PTT Global Chemical, Pfizer, Siam Cement, Siam Commercial Bank, Siemens, Toshiba, Thai Airways, and Total Access Communication.
The CAC is the latest of a number of important anti-corruption initiatives in which Tilleke & Gibbins participates. The firm is an active member of the World Economic Forum’s Partnering Against Corruption Initiative (PACI) and the International Chamber of Commerce’s FraudNet. Tilleke & Gibbins is also proud to serve as the exclusive TRACE Partner Law Firm in Thailand. TRACE International, a nonprofit association that provides practical and cost-effective anti-bribery compliance solutions for multinational companies, granted this designation to the firm in recognition of its “exceptional experience in and knowledge of anti-bribery laws and related compliance matters.”