Corporate Governance in Thailand: Glancing Behind and Looking Forward

“CG Development in Thailand: The Three Disciplines” September 13, 2006

Deunden Nikomborirak Thailand Development Research Institute

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Outline of presentation

1. The face of Thai corporate governance – ownership structure – corporate conduct – governance performance 2.State and private sector initiatives in promoting good governance: the 3 disciplines 3. Economic, political and Social Challenges 4. Conclusions 4/27/2020

1. The Face of Thai Corporate Structure & Governance 4/27/2020

Ownership Structure

 Concentrated ownership  family-control was prominent particularly in finance and securities and property  family-control declined in banking, finance and securities and property  foreign bank’s share increased in both banking and finance 4/27/2020

Corporate practices

 Most common abuses were connected lending, connected transactions (siphoning of corporate funds).

 More recent abuses: insider trading and share prices manipulations through custodian ot nominee accounts. According to Achavanuntakul (2006), 21.4% of total SET market capitalization is accounted for by nominees.

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Doing Business in Thailand (2006) by The World Bank

4 2 0 10 10 8 5.2 6.3

6 Disclosure 2 4.4

5 6 6.16.6

6 5.2

6 Director Liability Shareholder Suits Investor Protection Thailand Regional OECD 4/27/2020

Corporate Governance Report of Thai Listed Companies by Thai Institute of Directors

100 80 60 65.8

74.5

68.8

83.1

53.5

40 20 0 Rights of Shareholders Equitable Treatment of Shareholders Role of Stake holders Disclosure and Board Transparency Responsibilities 4/27/2020

2. Initiatives taken to promote Good Corporate Governance

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3 pillars supporting corporate governance   

Regulation (SEC/SET) Market discipline (SRI) Self-restraint ( firm-level corporate conduct code)

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Regulations

 Many legal loopholes exist (definition of connected transactions, connected persons, definition of price manipulation, lack of regulatory authority to demand disclosure of UBOs)  legal procedures not conducive to prosecution (criminal sanctions only, reliance on police force for investigation and attorney for to file a lawsuit)  legal amendments in the pipeline.

 The SEC had resorted to preventive measures and 4/27/2020 administrative sanctions.

Regulations

 Examples of preventive measures for connected transactions : requirements for submission of transactions that received shareholders resolutions, review of connected transactions and auditors’ reports.

 For illegal operation through nominees : “know your customer (KYC) & customer due diligence (CDD) requirement for brokers”  Example of administrative sanctions: fines and

Regulations

 Shortcomings of administrative measures: lack of transparency, social sanctions, market discipline, case precedence and prone to discriminatory treatment 4/27/2020

Regulations

 SET imposes many regulations governing disclosures and board structure -- i.e., audit committee, independent directors, governance assessment and shareholders’ resolution required for large connected transactions .  Shortcomings of SET measures: no clear penalties.

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Market-discipline

 corporate governance rating (by TRIS)  good governance awards, disclosure awards, popular awards.

 reduction in fees and compensation for rating fees.

–

But too few companies participated.

 Establishment of Institutional Investor Club and Investor Association.

–

IIC still has no investment criteria and IA lacks personnel to pursue governance work

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Self-restraint

 Only a handful of Thai companies have governance code. According to Corporate Governance Report of Thai Listed Companies 2005”

3/4

of surveyed listed companies explicitly mentioned obligations to shareholders

2/3

mentioned obligations to customers

< 1/3

mention safety and welfare of employees

1/5

mentioned environmental issues and compliance in their public communications 4/27/2020

3. Economic, political and Social Challenges

 Lack of law enforcement means CSR does NOT pay (although   according to Corporate Governance Report of Thai Listed Companies 2005 – firms with higher governance scores performed better) Certain government policies inconsistent with good corporate governance (Foreign business Act, Minister’s Equity Share act,etc.) Culture of patronage contribute to widespread use of nominees.

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Major Obstacles to Business Growth Violate copyrights Avoid labour taxes/regulations Subsidies Unfair trade practice Regulatory Avoidance Predatory pricing by MNCs Access to credit Tax avoidance Price undercut 0 0.5

1 1.5

2 2.5

3

A Survey on Corruption and Bribery in the Business Sector : University of Thai Chamber of Commerce, 2000

3.5

Economic, political and Social Challenges

 Limited long-term investment and active institutional investors means Socially Responsible Investment is

RARE.

(12% Institutional investor)  Lack of regulatory independence – government political agenda versus SEC’s regulatory agenda – investigation in cases involving politicians or large companies with strong political connections 4/27/2020

Economic, political and Social Challenges

 More recently, boycotting and social pressures, rather than SRI, are playing increasing role in fostering CSR . 4/27/2020

4. Conclusion

   Independence of regulatory body and legal amendments are crucial for effective law enforcement.

SEC’s authority should be broadened with respect to prosecution and identification of UBOs.

“soft measures” can go a long way in regulation and in promotion of self-discipline, but has limited bite.

 Market-discipline requires (1) disclosures of corporate misconduct and abuses and (2) SRI 4/27/2020

4. Conclusion

 In the absence of market-discipline, the task will inevitably fall heavily on SEC and SET.

 SRI to be spearheaded by large state pension and investment funds.

 NGOs and civil society can play very important roles in providing “social discipline ” where regulatory oversight and SRI are absent or ineffective.

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THANK YOU