Transparency International, an anti-corruption NGO, assigned Thailand a lower score than last year in their Corruption Perception Index, which was released today.
The organization observes 176 countries around the world and ranks which country is most corrupt. The report said citizens of low-ranking countries face bribery and extortion on a daily basis and rely on basic services that have been undermined by the misappropriation of funds, while high-ranked countries have more press freedom, independent judicial systems, and access to information about public expenditure, according to the index’s summary.
Ranking at 101st place, Thailand received 35 points, sliding down from 38 in 2015. Other countries that share the same score are Gabon, Niger, Peru, Philippines, Timor-Leste, and Trinidad and Tobago, to provide some perspective.
Transparency International’s regional analysis reveals that Thailand’s worsening score can be attributed to government repression, lack of independent oversight, and deterioration of rights. The political environment is a crucial factor to combativeness against corruption.
It also notes that, while the new constitution is said to focus on eliminating corruption, it embeds military power and unaccountable government, and does not show signs of returning to civilian rule. Independent oversight, one of the most important mechanisms against corruption, is absent, as are free debates and opposition campaigns that don’t result in people being detained.
Denmark and New Zealand are the least corrupt, both receiving scores of 90. The list continues with Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Singapore, Netherlands, Canada, and Germany, respectively.
Countries ranked at the bottom are Somalia, South Sudan, North Korea, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Libya, Afghanistan, Guinea-Bissau, and Venezuela.
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