The government has pledged sweeping reforms after Thailand scored 33 out of 100 and ranked 116th in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).
Reacting to the results, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul described the ranking as “a failing grade,” saying the score reflected high levels of perceived corruption and weak transparency.
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Anutin said the government acknowledged the findings and would not dismiss their implications.
“The government will not ignore the findings and agrees that corruption perceptions can damage Thailand’s international reputation.”
He said he had summoned the secretary-general of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) to explain the factors contributing to the low score.
Following the discussion, the PACC chief outlined a series of corrective measures, prompting Mr Anutin to instruct the agency to draft legal and procedural reforms under the supervision of Deputy Prime Minister Borwornsak Uwanno.
The proposed reforms may include amendments to existing laws and ministerial regulations or the introduction of a new bill aimed at strengthening enforcement mechanisms.
Mr Anutin said corruption extended beyond outright bribery, citing inefficiencies in approval and licensing systems as factors that erode investor confidence.
He called for the urgent enforcement of business facilitation laws and ordered key agencies — including the PACC, the Anti-Money Laundering Office, the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission and the Board of Investment — to work together to improve transparency.
“Any agencies found engaging in corruption will face strict legal action,” he warned, adding that further enforcement steps would be taken if current measures proved inadequate.
The CPI results were released on Tuesday by Transparency International. Thailand’s score fell by one point compared with the previous year.
