Thailand’s corruption index score drops, ranking lower than Laos and Vietnam

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.

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.”

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.

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.

Other People are Reading