Case Study: Examining Corruption and Bribes in Thailand
Corruption and bribes shape Thailand’s economy and society. They affect many areas of life. A report from Corruption in Thailand shows how deep the problem is.
The Thai Collective Action Against Corruption started in 2010. It aims to fight corruption in the private sector. By 2017, it had 300 members.
The Thai CAC has a special program. It has certified 515 companies so far. Another 374 are waiting. This shows almost 1,000 companies are fighting corruption together.
Introduction to Corruption in Thailand
Corruption in Thailand is a big problem that has lasted for many years. The country scored 35 out of 100 in Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index. This puts Thailand at 108th place among 180 countries.
Efforts to fight corruption in Thailand are ongoing. But, we haven’t seen the results yet.
In Thailand, giving gifts to important people is common. This tradition, called “sin nam jai,” helps make corruption seem okay. Many cases involve bribery and embezzlement. Even 78% of businessmen say they pay “fees” to get contracts.
Historical Context of Corruption
Corruption in Thailand has been around for a long time. It’s because of a lack of clear rules and accountability. The country scored 64.3 in the U.S. News & World Report 2022 Not Corrupt score.
On average, 25% of government contract fees are under the table. Some businessmen even pay up to 40%.
Current Overview of Corruption Levels
Today, corruption in Thailand is a big worry. The Global Corruption Barometer 2020 found that 24% of people paid bribes for public services. Also, 27% used personal connections to get services.
The cost of corruption to Thai society in 2018 was huge. It was between 50–100 billion baht. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is working hard to fight corruption and increase transparency.
| Year | Corruption Perceptions Index Score | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 35 | 108th |
| 2014 | 38 | 85th |
Types of Corruption and Bribery
Corruption in Thailand is a big problem. It includes many kinds of bribery and corrupt acts. The bribery culture in Thailand is very deep. Thai government corruption is a big worry.
Political Corruption
Political corruption in Thailand means government officials using their power for their own benefit. This includes bribery, taking money for favors, and giving jobs to family members. If a public officer takes a bribe, they could get five years to life in jail. They might also have to pay a fine of THB 100,000 to THB 400,000.
Economic Corruption
Economic corruption in Thailand hurts the country’s economy. It makes it hard for businesses to compete fairly. The Submission of Bids Act talks about four main types of corruption in bidding for government contracts. These are collusion, coercion, deception, and inducement.
Social Corruption
Social corruption in Thailand damages society. It makes people lose trust in institutions. It also breaks down social bonds. Giving gifts to public officials is okay if they are under THB 3,000. This is true for special occasions or cultural exchanges.
The Thai government is trying to fight corruption. They have laws like the Organic Act on Counter Corruption and the Act Supplementing the Constitution. These laws help keep the government honest and accountable.
| Type of Corruption | Description | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Political Corruption | Abuse of power by government officials | Imprisonment and fine |
| Economic Corruption | Bribery and corrupt practices in business | Fines and imprisonment |
| Social Corruption | Corruption in social institutions | Imprisonment and fine |
Key Sectors Affected by Corruption
Corruption in Thailand hits many areas. This includes government, law enforcement, and business. We need to fight corruption to make things fair and open.
The government and public services are often hit hard. Bad practices can waste resources and hurt trust. Law enforcement and courts also struggle with corruption, which can mess up justice.
Businesses are affected too. Companies might do wrong things to win. This can make business unfair and harm the economy. We must make laws stronger and encourage honesty.
| Sector | Impact of Corruption |
|---|---|
| Government and Public Services | Inefficient allocation of resources, undermined public trust |
| Law Enforcement and the Judiciary | Compromised integrity of the justice system |
| Business and Industry | Unfair business practices, undermined economy |
We must tackle corruption in these areas to help Thailand grow. With strong anti-corruption steps, we can make business fairer and more open.
High-profile Corruption Cases
Thailand’s corruption ranking is a big worry. It scored 36 on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) in 2022. Bribery is a big problem, with many cases in the news.
One big case is against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He was accused of using money to control the media.
Another big case is the Arthit Project. It was a huge deal worth over US$24.6 million. Rolls-Royce paid about US$300,000 to friends of Mr. Poawpadet Vorabutr after the deal was made.
This shows we need more openness and responsibility in government deals. It helps stop bribery and makes Thailand’s ranking better.
There are also cases of police taking money from tourists. A Chinese tourist was forced to pay 30,000 baht. Another group was forced to pay 27,000 baht for e-cigarettes.
These cases show we need to work harder to stop bribery. We must focus on the tourism sector to make Thailand’s ranking better.
The Impact of Corruption on Society
Corruption in Thailand hurts the country a lot. It makes business costs go up and messes with markets. This makes life harder for Thai people.
It’s not just about money. Corruption also makes people lose trust in their government. It makes it hard to get clean water and safe places to live.
Corruption also hurts human rights. Poor farmers and people living near pollution suffer the most. They face big dangers to their homes and jobs.
Some big problems caused by corruption are:
- Business costs go up and less money for development
- People lose trust in their government
- Human rights get hurt, mainly for the poor
Anti-Corruption Efforts in Thailand
Thailand is working hard to stop corruption. It wants a fair and open place for everyone. The government has set up special groups to fight corruption.
One group is the Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions in the Supreme Court. They deal with big cases against important people. This makes sure everyone is treated fairly.
The Act Supplementing the Constitution Relating to the Prevention and Suppression of Corruption (2018) helps too. It sets rules to stop corruption. People who break these rules can get in big trouble.
Government Initiatives
The Thai government has started many projects to stop corruption. They have a fund to help find and punish corrupt people. They also give rewards to those who tell on corruption.
They also have a system to rate companies based on how honest they are. This helps make business fairer for everyone.
Civil Society and NGO Involvement
Groups outside the government are also fighting corruption. The Private Sector Coalition Against Corruption is one example. It has over 850 companies working together to stop corruption.
Working with other countries is also important. Thailand has joined the UN Convention against Corruption. This helps them work together to fight corruption worldwide.
| Initiative | Description |
|---|---|
| NACC Fund | Provides financial support for investigations and rewards whistleblowers |
| Tier System | Ranks listed companies based on their anti-corruption commitment |
| Private Sector Coalition Against Corruption | Brings together companies to promote a corruption-free business environment |
Legal Framework Addressing Corruption
Thailand fights corruption with a strong legal system. It has laws like the Penal Code and the Organic Act. These laws stop public officials from taking extra benefits and define what corruption is.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) helps enforce these laws. The NACC says gifts under THB3,000 (about USD82) are okay. But, those caught in bribery can face up to seven years in jail.
Some important things to know about the laws include:
- Companies might get fined if they don’t stop bribery. The fine is one to two times the damage or gain.
- Payments to help things move faster are seen as bribery. There are no special rules for them.
- It’s smart to check for bribery risks often.
Having a clear anti-bribery policy is key. Training is also important to lower risks. Businesses should report any bribery they suspect. By following the laws, we can fight corruption in Thailand better.
Future Outlook on Corruption in Thailand
Thailand is working hard to fight corruption. It has made changes to its laws to follow the 2003 UN Convention Against Corruption. But, corruption is a big problem in Thailand. It affects the country’s ranking and its Human Development Index (HDI) value.
Predictions and Trends
Companies in Thailand could face big fines for bribery. The fines can be up to twice the damage or benefit from bribery. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) now has more power to investigate cases. This could change how much corruption and bribes there are in Thailand.
Recommendations for Improvement
To fight corruption better, Thailand needs to keep improving its laws and how they are enforced. It should also make government and business more open and honest. By doing this, Thailand can lower corruption and grow stronger and more prosperous.
