26 May 2025

Organization’s profile

HAND Social Enterprise is dedicated to promoting good governance, transparency, and anti-corruption through data-driven innovations, public engagement, and multidisciplinary research. Founded by academics and civic tech innovators, HAND works to transform complex data into accessible tools that empower citizens, civil society, and policymakers to monitor and strengthen government accountability.

One of HAND’s flagship initiatives is ACT Ai (www.actai.co), an AI-powered platform that analyzes over 30 million public procurement records using risk indicators based on Thailand’s anti-corruption regulations. HAND also leads efforts to train youth, journalists, and officials on open data use, and collaborates closely with international partners such as the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), UNODC, and the Open Contracting Partnership.

In support of its advocacy and innovation, HAND conducts academic research on governance and anti-corruption, with findings published in leading academic journals. It also operates a whistleblowing and crowdsourcing platform with over 90,000 followers, working closely with anti-corruption agencies, other CSOs, and media to mobilize public action.

With the vision to create a robust anti-corruption ecosystem that sustains efforts to combat corruption efficiently and effectively, HAND is the only Thai civil society member of the UNCAC Coalition and leads regional collaboration through the Knowledge Hub for Regional Anti-Corruption (KRAC).

Organization’s Experience

HAND Social Enterprise joined the UNCAC Coalition in 2024 and became Thailand’s first and only member organization. Since then, HAND has actively engaged in UNCAC-related dialogues, regional consultations, working group contributions, and collaboration with Southeast Asian civil society members. Its mission aligns closely with UNCAC goals, particularly in advancing public procurement transparency, civic engagement, and evidence-based risk assessment.

HAND’s innovative platforms, such as ACT Ai, which analyzes over 30 million procurement records, demonstrate how technology and open data can support civil society oversight. The organization also operates a whistleblowing and crowdsourcing platform with over 90,000 followers and leads the Knowledge Hub for Regional Anti-Corruption (KRAC) to strengthen cross-border CSO collaboration. In 2026, HAND will celebrate its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of work with civil society, academia, the private sector, public agencies, and international partners to build a sustainable anti-corruption ecosystem.

Top 3 Priorities to Achieve as a CCC Member

1. Strengthening Regional CSO Collaboration – Facilitate shared tools, dialogue, and joint advocacy among CSOs in East Asia and the Pacific.

2. Promoting Open Data and Civic Tech – Scale civic monitoring innovations for early corruption detection.

3. Championing Youth and Public Engagement – Empower young people, universities, and local communities through participatory governance and UNCAC awareness.

Candidate’s profile

Torplus Yomnak is an Associate Professor of Economics at Chulalongkorn University and one of Thailand’s leading anti-corruption experts. He co-founded HAND Social Enterprise, where he integrates academic research with civic technology to promote transparency and accountability.

In 2021, he received the U.S. State Department’s International Anti-Corruption Champion Award, and in 2022, Thailand’s national Anti-Corruption Award from the Anti-Corruption Foundation of Thailand for his all-rounded contributions—particularly in academic research and policy reform. In 2024, he was selected as an Eisenhower Fellow for his project on open data for anti-corruption, through which he collaborated with U.S. counterparts to explore civic tech and data innovations for integrity.

Torplus earned his PhD from the University of Cambridge, UK, focusing on corruption and anti-corruption reforms in Thailand’s construction sector. He has worked with civil society, international organizations, public agencies, and the private sector—both domestically and internationally—including UNODC, UNDP, the Open Contracting Partnership (OCP), and Transparency International.

He serves on the Board of the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand, sits on subcommittees of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and advises Thailand’s parliamentary committee on anti-corruption. He also leads the KRAC network across Southeast Asia.

Contributions to the work of the Coalition

I bring extensive experience in applying data analytics to anti-corruption, particularly in public procurement and civic monitoring. Backed by a strong academic foundation and years of applied research, I contribute evidence-based insights and policy-relevant recommendations. Through HAND and KRAC, I facilitate regional CSO collaboration, promote open data use, and amplify grassroots voices across East Asia and the Pacific. My existing global anti-corruption network—comprising both practitioners and academics—enables me to connect the Coalition with broader international efforts, helping to exchange knowledge, scale innovative practices, and strengthen the impact of civil society in advancing the UNCAC agenda.

Candidacy & Interest Disclosure