Thailand-Perceptions of Corruption
If I posed the question, "What are your Perceptions of Corruption in Thailand?" I wonder what your answer would be compared say with the USA, UK or other countries in the Asia Pacific region.
"Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. It hurts everyone whose life, livelihood or happiness depends on the integrity of people in a position of authority."
Okay first a little exercise. Please answer my original question. Use a scale of 1-10, with a low score indicating that your perceptions are that the country is more corrupt than others.
Now lets have a look what the Thai people think.
I would like to introduce you to Transparency International who describe themselves as:
"...... the global civil society organisation leading the fight against corruption, brings people together in a powerful worldwide coalition to end the devastating impact of corruption on men, women and children around the world. TI’s mission is to create change towards a world free of corruption. " read more.........
So how does TI go about its task? Well one way is by taking the results of different surveys and creating a league table, called a corruption perception index(CPI), of the perceived most corrupt governments in the world based on 180 countries. Remember these are the perceptions of the countries nationals.
Thailand is 84th in the World on this years CPI, scoring 3.4 out of 10. Not the worst by any means, that honour goes to Somalia, but none the less pretty indicative of what the locals think about corrupt government here. Incidentally the UK (17th) and US (19th) don't exactly come up smelling of roses.
So who is top of the CPI i.e. perceived to be the least corrupt? Well that is New Zealand with another Asia Pacific country, Singapore in 3rd place. You can also view peoples worldwide perceptions on an interactive map to help you get a better overview.
Regionally, Thailand scores better than, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Cambodia but is trailing well behind Malaysia.
So now back to my question, what are your perceptions of corruption in Thailand?
Do you think the CPI truly reflects the level of actual corruption in Thailand. In other words are the perceived and actual levels the same?
What do you think of your own countries placement?
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7 comments:
I would say that TI have achieved the right results with Thailand and my own country the UK. I would also add that a change in government in Thailand has done nothing to alter my opinion on the subject, the country is corrupt at the local officials level and up. How TI is going to change the world with a survey is beyond me but nonetheless an interesting post.
Hi Mike,
I'm not sure. I think corruption exists in every country on a certain level, all though we tend to say that it doesn't exist in our country. Perhaps it's too difficult to measure corruption on a scale, because reality might look different.
Best regards
Asta
Martyn I only looked at the survey, TI are proactive in addressing corruption issues worldwide-how successful they are is of course another issue!
Asta-Sweden scores very well and yes I would say its not corrupt too.
Show me a country that relies on politicians at any level from local government to federal government and I'll show you a corrupt country.
Power corrupts...I've watched people with good hearts and plans to help get into office only ti turn around and take monies and vacations from lobbyists to change their mind.
I think it usually boils down to people looking out for their own best interests. I think Thailand has major problems when it comes to corruption and the biggest is that they just aren't that good at hiding it...they need to look to America for guidance in that department.
Talen an interesting concept which I can't really argue with. I like what you said about Thailand-hadn't really thought about it that way.
Perhaps its as well that they are not good at cover-ups?
I only really know of Thailand from reading your blog, so I can't give a qualified opinion. I hate to think that anywhere is any more corrupt than the government where I live. I write about nature instead of things like this because I wouldn't be able to speak without spitting out more venom than a poisonous snake. I keep wishing that people everywhere could just learn to be good to each other, but I know it will never happen.
Ratty we can but hope. I think nature is a lot safer.
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