Corruption is escalating in Thailand, reflected by a declining CPI score of 33. Structural reforms are needed, as the public and private sectors push for anti-corruption measures to restore economic competitiveness.
Key Points
Declining CPI Score: Thailand scored 33/100 in 2025, ranking lower than Laos and Vietnam, reflecting worsening corruption.
Economic Impact: Corruption is estimated to cost the private sector up to 500 billion baht annually, stifling growth and investor confidence. Addressing corruption could boost GDP by up to 4%.
Government Negligence: Successive governments have failed to implement serious anti-corruption measures, entrenching corruption as systemic.
Corruption remains a significant issue in Asia-Pacific, with Thailand scoring 33/100 in 2025, its lowest in 19 years. The private sector estimates annual losses of up to 500 billion baht due to corruption, hindering economic growth and investor confidence. Continued negligence by governments over the past two years has entrenched corruption as a systemic problem.
Countries like Maldives and Vietnam show improvements via structural reforms, while fragile states like Afghanistan and North Korea remain near the bottom of the corruption index due to poor governance and limited civic freedoms. High-scoring countries include Denmark (89/100) and Finland (88/100), whereas most regional countries fall below the global average.
Political parties have proposed diverse anti-corruption measures for the upcoming election, emphasizing transparency and technology. Initiatives include regulatory revisions, creating accessible public data platforms, and strengthening whistleblower protections. A united effort is critical, as solving corruption is vital for Thailand’s economic recovery and national competitiveness.
Corruption and Governance Trends in Asia-Pacific
The recent Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) reveals troubling trends in perceived corruption across the Asia-Pacific region, highlighting Thailand’s decline, which saw a score drop to 33 out of 100, marking the lowest in 19 years. Public sentiment indicates that abuse of power is prevalent among those in authority, contributing to a lack of essential public services and economic instability. Nations like the Maldives, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste have made advancements due to governance reforms, yet they still fall below the index average, suggesting a need for continued improvement.
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Economic Impacts and Structural Challenges
Corruption in Thailand is projected to result in economic losses nearing 500 billion baht annually, driven by “under-the-table” payments in public procurement. The private sector believes this environment stifles growth, estimating potential GDP increases of up to 4% if corruption issues were addressed.
Despite recent growth concerns, the lack of serious anti-corruption measures from successive governments has entrenched corruption as a systemic issue. Prominent business leaders stress that the focus should not only be on stimulating the economy but also on establishing robust governance to rebuild investor confidence and mitigate risks associated with “grey capital.”
Corruption is not inevitable. Our research and experience as a global movement fighting corruption show there is a clear blueprint for how to hold power to account for the common good, from democratic processes and independent oversight to a free and open civil society.
François Valérian, Chair of Transparency International
Political Responses and Future Directions
In light of the corruption crisis, political parties in Thailand are emphasizing anti-corruption measures in their election platforms. Proposals include the Zero Corruption initiative, aiming for concrete reforms and greater transparency in governance. Key strategies involve regulatory revisions, a move to AI and open data systems, and shifting governmental roles to facilitate easier business practices.
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The Pheu Thai and Democrat parties also propose comprehensive legal overhauls and public accountability initiatives. However, consistent political will and stable governance are essential to enforce these reforms and address the systemic roots of corruption effectively, ensuring a healthier economic environment for all.
Global Corruption: Key Findings
The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 reveals a concerning global increase in public sector corruption, attributed to a decline in bold and accountable leadership, and a dangerous disregard for international norms. The global average CPI score has dropped to 42 out of 100, the lowest in over a decade, with 122 out of 182 countries scoring below 50, indicating pervasive corruption. A shrinking number of countries now score above 80, with even high-scoring democracies showing signs of regression.
Key findings and trends from the CPI 2025 include:
Global Overview of Corruption:
The global CPI average is 42, with 122 countries scoring below 50, indicating widespread public sector corruption.
Only five countries score above 80, a significant drop from 12 a decade ago, while over two-thirds (68%) of countries fall below 50.
Denmark maintains the highest score at 89, while Somalia and South Sudan are the lowest with a score of 9.
Democratic Backsliding and Civic Space:
A strong correlation exists between restricted civic space and worsening corruption; 36 of the 50 biggest CPI decliners since 2012 also saw a reduction in freedoms of expression, association, and assembly.
Over 90% of journalists murdered for investigating corruption since 2012 were in countries with CPI scores lower than 50, highlighting the danger faced by those holding power accountable.
High-scoring democracies, including the United States (64), Canada (75), the United Kingdom (70), France (66), Sweden (80), and New Zealand (81), have experienced slippage, indicating increased corruption risks due to weakened checks and balances and political polarisation.
Autocracies like Venezuela (10) and Azerbaijan (30) exhibit systemic corruption at all levels.
Data indicates that democracies, traditionally stronger in combating corruption compared to autocracies or flawed democracies, are witnessing a troubling decline in performance. This concerning trend is evident in countries such as the United States (64), Canada (75), and New Zealand (81), as well as across parts of Europe, including the United Kingdom (70), France (66), and Sweden (80). Equally alarming is the growing imposition of restrictions by many states on freedoms of expression, association, and assembly. Since 2012, 36 out of the 50 countries with significant drops in CPI scores have also faced a shrinking civic space.
Russia has officially blocked WhatsApp, directing users to the state-backed messaging platform Max, following similar restrictions on Telegram.
The app is widely used by millions, including military personnel, government officials, and state media outlets.
Kremlin Cites Legal Violations
In an interview with the BBC, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov justified the block, alleging that WhatsApp violated Russian law. He positioned Max as “an affordable alternative on the market for citizens” and described it as a growing national messaging platform.
Peskov also criticized Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, for failing to comply with local regulations.
Meta Responds
In another report by CNN, WhatsApp confirmed that Russian authorities “attempted to fully block WhatsApp” to encourage users to switch to state-controlled apps. The company condemned the move, saying:
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“Trying to isolate over 100 million users from private and secure communication is a backwards step and can only lead to less safety for people in Russia. We continue to do everything we can to keep users connected.”
WhatsApp emphasized that it continues its efforts to keep its users connected.
Max Will Be Users’ Priority Messaging App
The block highlights increasing government control over digital communications in Russia, prioritizing domestic platforms over global services. Users may face limited access to private messaging, while Max becomes the primary app for communication.
Still, many think that what the Kremlin did was questionable.
Russia also blocked FaceTime and other encrypted apps in late December because the government believed that they were used to do “criminal activities.”
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TCP Circular now hopes to get the scheme on the eastern edge of the port up and running in the next two years
TCP Circular is taking forward job creating plans at the Port of Sunderland.(Image: TCP Circular)
Job creating recycling scheme plans in Sunderland have been revived by a company linked to the original developer.
TCP Circular says it is progressing plans to create a plastics recycling facility at the Port of Sunderland, which could create more than 100 jobs. The firm is co-led by Chris Lach, who is a former deputy CEO and chief commercial officer at Norwegian company Quantafuel, which had secured planning permission in 2023 for the 12-acre site on the eastern edge of the port.
Now an exclusivity agreement between Sunderland City Council and TCP Circular has been signed. TCP now hopes to have the facility up and running in 2028.
It will take waste that would have otherwise been incinerated or disposed of in landfill. Using the high temperature process of pyrolysis, the materials will be heated in the absence of oxygen causing them to break down into raw materials which can be used for manufacturing of new products including high-grade plastics.
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The plant is designed to process about 100,000 tonnes a year of “low value plastic waste” including soft food packaging and other domestic and industrial plastics. Raw materials produced will then be shipped from the port to customers in the petrochemical industry and self-generated, non-condensable gas will be used to power the site.
Chris Lach, CEO of TCP Circular, said: “We’re pleased to announce our intention to develop a plastics recycling plant at the Port of Sunderland and look forward to bringing our plans to life in the months ahead. Facilities such as this are greatly needed across the UK as we move towards a more circular economy and reduce CO2 emissions.
“We believe it’s an excellent site and are excited to be working with Sunderland City Council, playing a small part in their ambitious plans to transform the city into a key hub for businesses in the sustainable technologies and green industries. We look forward to updating the community as our plans develop.”
Quantafuel had hoped to open the Sunderland site last year but in early 2024 it was acquired by UK energy-from-waste group Viridor for more than £100m.
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Coun Michael Mordey, leader of Sunderland City Council and chair of the Port Board, said: “The green economy accounts for a significant share of economic output here in Sunderland, so it is fantastic news that TCP has chosen Port of Sunderland to house this leading-edge facility. The port is already home to a growing cluster of businesses operating in the circular economy and, alongside our world leading track record in electric vehicle and battery manufacturing, TCP’s investment would be yet another key milestone in our journey as we embed and grow Sunderland’s reputation as a global hub for sustainable investment.”
Fox News contributor Douglas Murray weighs in on infighting among Democratic lawmakers over border relief funds and the demise of fairy tales on ‘The Bottom Line.’
After years of controversies and tepid results at the box office, Disney’s 2025 live-action “Snow White” remake has reportedly netted an approximately $170 million loss.
Forbes reported on Tuesday that filings indicate the recent controversial live-action “Snow White” remake cost a whopping $336.5 million, yet met with low returns after years of controversy.
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The outlet explained that this can be discerned thanks to the fact the movie was filmed in the United Kingdom. The U.K. has local laws which benefit films with a generous reimbursement, but come with heavy rules. As a result, Disney had to create a subsidiary company, Hidden Heart Productions, in order to film there. As a result of these local U.K.-based rules, showing expenditures that otherwise remains a closely-guarded secret for films made in the United States, Disney’s massive expenses were revealed.
“In 2023 this author revealed in Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper that by July 31, 2022 Disney had already spent a staggering $183.3 million on making Snow White even though principal photography had only just wrapped,” contributor Caroline Reid wrote. “The latest set of filings are for the year to December 31, 2024 which was less than three months before the movie debuted so should give an almost-complete picture of its costs.”
Actress Rachel Zegler caused a variety of controversies for the “Snow White” film she starred in. (Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The writer went on to emphasize, “The $336.5 million spent on Snow White is higher than the cost of Disney’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, its Guardians of the Galaxy Marvel movie and its live action version of Beauty and the Beast which grossed a staggering $1.3 billion in 2017.”
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The United Kingdom indeed came through with a reimbursement for Disney, but the writer argued this was not enough to redeem the production.
“The U.K. government also gave Snow White a magic touch as it reimbursed $64.9 million (£52.3 million) of the movie’s costs. This brought its net expenses down to $271.6 million but even that wasn’t enough to give it a happy ending in theaters,” Reid quipped.
Then, with the costs of bringing the movie to theaters themselves, a new level of complexity was added to the expenses.
“The amount that theaters pay to studios is known in the trade as a rental fee and an indication of the typical level comes from film industry consultant Stephen Follows who interviewed 1,235 film professionals in 2014 and concluded that, according to studios, theaters keep 49% of the takings on average,” Reid summarized. “This research lends weight to the widely-established 50-50 split which would give Disney just $102.9 million from Snow White yielding a $168.7 million loss at the box office after deducting the $271.6 million net spending on the movie.”
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“One of the biggest box office bombs in the history of the movie business, in pure dollar value terms,” OutKick reported.
But beyond financial woes, the remake of the iconic film has had its fair share of cultural controversies.
Disney’s remake of “Snow White” turned into a fiasco. (AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images / Getty Images)
In 2022, Peter Dinklage criticized Disney for remaking a “f—— backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together,” while being progressive with its casting of lead actress Rachel Zegler.
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Disney then reportedly responded in 2023, at least temporarily, by replacing the dwarfs with multiracial and gender-mixed “magical creatures.” This plan was later scrapped in lieu of using computer-animated mythological dwarfs who looked like those featured in the original animated film.
Zegler also stirred controversy by speaking ill of the original 1937 film, criticizing Israel, and posting on social media, “May Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace,” adding, “F— Donald Trump.”
Mark Pownall, Gary Adshead and Isabel Vieira discuss Albemarle’s Kemerton shut down;, Liberal Party leadership shake up, WA’s IPO landscape and major property deals.
Shares of FMCG bellwether Hindustan Unilever slipped 2.5% to Rs 2,351.40 on Friday after it reported a 30% decline in consolidated net profit from continuing operations for the third quarter of FY26, to Rs 2,188 crore. In the same quarter last year, the company’s net profit was Rs 3,027 crore.
The company’s net profit for the period, however, came in at Rs. 6,603 crore, up 121% year on year, primarily driven by one off impacts from its portfolio transformation actions, HUL said.
The company’s revenue from continuing operations came in at Rs. 16,441 crore, marking a 5.6% year on year jump from Rs. 15,556 crore reported in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year, HUL said in a regulatory filing.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation for continuing operations stood at Rs. 3,788 crore, higher by 3% from the same quarter last year. However, the EBITDA margin declined by 70 basis points YoY to 23.3%. One basis point is equal to 0.01% one hundredth of one percent.
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For the quarter under review, HUL reported underlying sales growth of 5%, supported by underlying volume growth of 4%.
The company expects macro stability along with supportive policy measures to create a favourable environment for consumption going ahead. It anticipates FY27 to be stronger than FY26, driven by continued portfolio optimisation and channel transformation initiatives.Priya Nair, CEO and Managing Director, said that demand trends reflected early signs of recovery, underpinned by supportive policy measures. “We continued to build desirability at scale with our brands, accelerate market development in high growth demand spaces and strengthen our capabilities to scale Channels of the Future with a dedicated organisation for Quick commerce.”
Following the earnings release, HUL shares traded 3% lower to Rs. 2,396 apiece.
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