On February 10, 2026, Transparency International (TI) released its 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Thailand placed 116th out of 182 countries, receiving a score of 33 out of 100, where a lower score signals higher perceived corruption. The score slipped one point from the previous year’s 34. The ranking underscores governance concerns that draw international scrutiny.
Globally, the CPI showed Denmark at the top with a score of 89, followed by Finland at 88. Singapore ranked third with 84 points, the highest score among ASEAN members. New Zealand and Norway tied for fourth place with 81 points each. Sweden and Switzerland shared sixth place with 80 points. Luxembourg and the Netherlands were joint eighth with 78 points, while Germany and Iceland tied for tenth with 77 points.
TI’s analysis notes that Thailand’s score of 33 and Mongolia’s score of 31 remain low and have been on a downward trend since 2012. In Mongolia, the decline is linked to weakening rule of law, reduced accountability and an expanding restriction on civil space.
- ACT chair says the CPI score is highly poor, the lowest in 19 years.
At approximately 17:10 on the same day, Dr. Mana Nimittamongkol, chair of the Anti‑Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT), commented on Thailand’s CPI result. He described the ranking as “very bad” and the lowest the country has recorded in 19 years. Dr. Mana argued that the past three governments have shown no visible anti‑corruption policies or measures, effectively allowing corruption to flourish.
He added that government indifference emboldens both public officials and private actors to engage in fraud, turning corruption into a structural problem that continues to expand. “The core structural issue is that our bureaucracy operates without transparency or accountability, especially in the justice system. From police work to prosecutors, courts and even independent agencies, there is little capacity for the public to detect or challenge graft,” Dr. Mana said.
When asked whether the 2025‑2026 State Audit Office building collapse and the recent money‑laundering network involving the Scammer gang contributed to the lower score, Dr. Mana explained that the building collapse highlighted serious weaknesses in anti‑corruption safeguards and the fragility of independent oversight bodies. He noted that the money‑laundering case emerged after the assessment period, which typically ends in August‑September.
He concluded that numerous high‑profile scandals over the past year, including those in the religious sector and politics, illustrate how pervasive corruption has grow across Thai society.
Proofreading… Suri Silawong
