Corruption and Thai Society: Problems and Challenges

Abstract

            This academic article aims to examine the problem of corruption in Thai society. The study finds that corruption involves the misappropriation of public property for personal benefit, the abuse of official authority, and the giving or receiving of benefits beyond what public officials are lawfully entitled to receive. Such practices distort institutional systems, cause damage to public administration, and deprive members of society of benefits or rights to which they are legitimately entitled. Corruption therefore remains a significant problem in Thailand and shows a tendency to persist or increase. With regard to Thailand’s performance in corruption control, one of the most widely used international indicators is Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Thailand continues to be regarded as a country facing a relatively serious corruption problem. This situation adversely affects national development, impedes progress, and may cause development outcomes to fall short of established plans and objectives. Regarding the causes of corruption, Western philosophical perspectives generally attribute corrupt behavior to human selfishness and the innate tendency to pursue personal desires and interests. Individuals may allow themselves to be dominated by greed and excessive desire. At the same time, corruption may also be influenced by external factors arising from the surrounding social environment. The challenge of addressing corruption remains substantial. Although governments have established organizations and mechanisms to prevent and suppress corruption, such measures may only temporarily restrain corrupt practices. When oversight and enforcement become less rigorous, corruption may re-emerge. From the perspective of Theravada Buddhism, corruption is likewise understood as arising primarily from internal factors, although external conditions may also contribute depending on the circumstances. More fundamentally, the causes of corruption can be traced to unwholesome mental roots and morally unwholesome actions, together with social pressures associated with material desires and attachment to sensual or material gratification. Such influences may encourage individuals to engage in misconduct in accordance with the values and behavior prevalent in their social environment. As an approach to addressing the problem, Buddhist principles may be applied to strengthen moral resilience and reduce the likelihood of corrupt behavior. In particular, the Two Lokapāla Dhammas, or the two virtues that protect the world, and the Three Forms of Right Conduct (Sucarita) may be applied as ethical foundations for cultivating integrity and preventing corruption at the individual level. Effectively addressing corruption therefore represents a major challenge that requires cooperation and concerted efforts from all sectors of society.