กกร. ชี้คอร์รัปชันวิกฤตชาติ เสียงประชาชน–ธุรกิจ เรียกร้องการเมืองโปร่งใสBusiness Sector Calls for Transparent Politics Amid National Corruption Crisis

On January 15, 2026, the Joint Committee of Three Private Sectors (JCP) together with the "We Will Not Tolerate" network announced the results of a public and business sentiment survey regarding the anti-corruption policies of political parties and politicians in Thailand. The survey included 3,043 samples from the public and 1,771 samples from the business sector nationwide, aiming to propel Thailand towards Zero Corruption.

The survey revealed that 77% of the public and 97% of the business sector view corruption as a serious problem, with over 70% indicating that anti-corruption policies are a key factor in their voting decisions. The most frustrating behaviors included "grey ministers," "good at talking," and "conflict of interest," with a consensus that party leaders must be held accountable for corruption within their parties.

Dr. Phaj Aramwattananon, Chairperson of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Thai Industries, and Chair of the Zero Corruption Taskforce: JCP and We Will Not Tolerate.

The private sector is increasingly aware of the significant issue that not only undermines the country's competitiveness but also hinders Thailand's economic system from regaining the confidence of investors and foreign trading partners—namely, the "corruption problem." This led to the establishment of the "Zero Corruption Taskforce: JCP and We Will Not Tolerate," with the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries, and the Thai Bankers' Association being the main bodies aggregating proposals from the business and civil society sectors to develop systematic policy proposals for the government to implement effectively, aiming to rebuild investor confidence and create a transparent, fair, and sustainable economic-political system in the long term.

Amid an economic crisis that requires stability and sustainable growth, the "corruption problem" remains a significant obstacle undermining the country's competitive capacity. Therefore, the task force has accelerated the operational framework of the "6 Anti-Corruption Areas" to achieve tangible results, starting with Strategy 1: instilling a sense of awareness within the operational framework in the short term by campaigning against "choosing corrupt individuals" towards the Zero Corruption goal, which is part of the campaign "We Will Not Tolerate Corruption" or "If there is no anti-corruption policy, we will not vote." Moreover, the task force, in collaboration with the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, has conducted a public opinion survey regarding political parties' anti-corruption policies before the election on February 8, 2026, and will announce the survey results today. Additionally, there is a campaign inviting people to place Zero Corruption stickers: JCP and We Will Not Tolerate, in collaboration with various networks, to express a commitment against corruption in all forms while empowering citizens to vote for transparent parties.

Mr. Kriangkrai Theeranukul, President of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), stated that the corruption issue today is no longer merely a moral or image-related problem but has become a "structural cost" that severely erodes the competitive ability of the Thai industry at a time when the Thai economy faces low growth, enduring structural problems for a prolonged period, and intensified competitive pressures from the region.

One significant warning signal is the Thai baht, which has appreciated incorrectly against the still weak economic fundamentals. Between January 1, 2025, and January 1, 2026, the baht appreciated by more than 8%, while a competitor like Vietnam managed to depreciate its currency by about 3%, resulting in a significant competitiveness gap of 10-12%, which directly impacts the export and manufacturing sectors, the main engines of the Thai economy.

This situation reflects that Thailand is facing risks from off-market funds and grey capital that seep through loopholes in the economic and financial system, whether in the digital asset market or gold trading. It was found that the trading volume of cryptocurrencies in Thailand accounted for about 50% of the total trading volume, while the global average is only about 10%. These figures are abnormal but serve as warnings about structural issues that distort market mechanisms and undermine the country's macroeconomic stability.

The Federation of Thai Industries asserts that the government must implement serious oversight measures on gold and digital asset trading, ensuring that free flow without adequate checks does not become a money laundering channel, which would further undermine investor confidence at a time when the Thai economy is experiencing its lowest growth rate in over 30 years.

The JCP estimates that Thailand's economic growth rate in 2026 will be only 1.6-2.0%. Should there be no urgent significant structural reforms, Thailand risks becoming the slowest-growing country in the region and may be surpassed by Vietnam in terms of economic size, as Vietnam aims for double-digit growth while fully advancing its technology and innovation industries, whereas Thailand still relies on the low-value-added OEM manufacturing model, facing labor shortages, high wages, and household debts, including debts beyond income capacity, which continuously dampens purchasing power and investment.

In this context, corruption thus represents the greatest cost to the country in both outdated and complicated regulations that open avenues for bribery and logistics costs that amount to 15-16% of GDP, while competing countries have reduced this to 9-10%. Such lack of transparency is a crucial factor that makes global investors hesitant to invest in Thailand.

Today’s Thai economy resembles an "aging machine full of rust and leaks" that cannot progress regardless of how much acceleration it receives unless structural repairs and corruption leaks are urgently addressed.

The campaign to drive "JCP and We Will Not Tolerate – Zero Corruption" thus signals a clear stance of the private sector in Thailand that it cannot accept corruption as normal any longer.

The press conference today aims to effectively reflect the voice of Thai society. The results from this survey will provide invaluable empirical data for all sectors, including policy, politics, business, and civil society, to highlight perspectives, expectations, and concerns regarding anti-corruption measures, which are crucial for economic stability, investment, and the overall business climate of the country in the long term.

On this occasion, the Federation of Thai Industries reaffirms its commitment to work with JCP, network partners, and all sectors to support enhancing governance standards, transparency, and accountability across all sectors. The fight against corruption must extend beyond mere campaigns; it must also push for concrete structural changes.

Additionally, the Federation of Thai Industries calls on the government to connect every point or Connect the Dots by linking data among relevant agencies and transitioning from a "regulator" to a "facilitator" role, reducing unnecessary regulations, lowering costs, and supporting the upgrade of the Thai industrial structure to high-value industries, innovation, and technology to sustainably restore the country's competitive ability.

Mr. Kob Sakkiduangdee, Secretary-General of the Thai Bankers' Association, emphasized that the issue of corruption is a structural challenge that directly affects trust and confidence in the Thai economy and is a significant obstacle to the nation's development in the global arena. Therefore, the business sector seeks a "level playing field" free from the influence of grey businesses to instill confidence in investors and enhance the country's competitive edge sustainably.

The association is ready to drive the concept of Reinvent Thailand by transforming the results of this survey into empirical data to formulate high-impact policy proposals focused on transparency, accountability, and jointly eliminating the corruption chain from the Thai economy and society permanently. On behalf of the Thai Bankers' Association, I reiterate our commitment to enhancing governance standards and accountability across all sectors, not stopping merely at campaigning but supporting structural changes and fostering a culture intolerant of corruption to build a strong, fair Thai economy that truly earns the confidence of the people and society.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sawanee Thairungroj, Advisor to the Council of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and member of the Zero Corruption Taskforce: JCP and We Will Not Tolerate, revealed survey results on anti-corruption policies of political parties and politicians during the 2026 elections, indicating that both the public and the business sector agree that corruption is a national crisis. The survey found that 77% of the public and 97% of the business sector viewed the corruption issue in Thailand as very serious, with 48% of the public and 22% of the business sector identifying corruption as a top priority problem that requires urgent resolution, next to economic issues and quality of life.

The business sector has been directly affected, with 71% viewing corruption related to transnational crime as a serious threat to national security, and 38% indicating that it undermines fair business competition.

The most frustrating behaviors include "good at talking," "grey ministers," and "conflict of interest." The top three frustrating behaviors of politicians identified by both the public and the business sector are "grey ministers," who with dark records still hold power (28%), "good at talking," where anti-corruption policies are merely for election campaigns (20-22%), and "conflict of interest," where power is used to favor businesses of acquaintances (17%).

The "party leader" must hold the primary responsibility – with 91% of the business sector and 68% of the public strongly agreeing that party leaders should be primarily responsible for addressing corruption issues within their parties. Furthermore, 44% of the business sector and 53% of the public assert that the "party leader" is the crucial variable that must be strictly screened.

Measures requested include strictness, transparency, and participation. The government should prioritize measures such as listening to citizens and fostering participation (30%), making public information easily accessible (29%), and implementing oversight, removal, and penalties for corruption (15-28%). For political parties, top measures include rejecting individuals with a history of corruption, prohibiting appointments of grey ministers, and collective resignation if the party leader is corrupt.

The private sector is ready to lead the change, with 66% of the business sector fully supporting the declaration of a clear stance against corruption and severing ties with corrupt politicians. About 42% believe that JCP and private sector organizations should lead the push for reform and dismantling the corruption cycle.

Clear commitments are demanded, with 88% of the business sector and 70% of the public placing importance on anti-corruption policies in their voting decisions, while 34% of the business sector and 33% of the public indicate it as a primary factor in their decision-making.

In conclusion, on behalf of the Zero Corruption Taskforce: JCP and the "We Will Not Tolerate" network, we call on all political parties to declare a clear and rigorous commitment to anti-corruption before the election on February 8, 2026, to enact practical measures that can be continuously monitored under the Zero Corruption aim, to build a transparent, fair, and sustainable Thailand.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanawut Pholwichai, President of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and member of the Zero Corruption Taskforce: JCP and We Will Not Tolerate, stated that the survey results highlight that both the public and the business sector prioritize addressing corruption, ranking it as the second most critical issue after economic problems, and they expect the government and political parties to take this issue seriously, with the government needing to operate transparently and involving citizens in overseeing governmental actions.

The results indicate that both the public and the business sector exhibit a clear intention that having a clear anti-corruption policy is a crucial factor in their decision-making regarding political parties, as they perceive corruption as a serious issue that requires immediate action from the new government and robust enforcement of laws.

Mr. Thiptai Salevong, Senior Researcher at TDRI and member of the Zero Corruption Taskforce: JCP and We Will Not Tolerate, stated that the current corruption situation is escalating in severity and complexity. Particularly, it is suggested that bribery in public procurement projects reaches 20-30% of project value, including links to transnational crime and scammers, which in 2026 resulted in losses amounting to over 25 billion baht for the citizens. The task force proposes urgent initiatives for the government to implement within one year, which include advancing anti-money laundering laws and cryptocurrency transaction oversight measures, forming international cooperation especially with the US "Scam Center Strike Force" to ensure online platforms monitor and block deceptive accounts, and urgently enforcing the Digital Platforms Economic Act to ensure service providers are accountable for damages. Furthermore, high-value public projects must participate in the "Integrity Pact" for tangible transparency.

For the long-term goal within four years, the government should elevate the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) and Rule of Law Index to meet the OECD country averages by reforming business licensing processes to eliminate avenues for bribery and restructuring the justice system and police operations to ensure transparency in appointments and transfers, while intensifying the crackdown on organized crime, such as drug-related crimes and human trafficking, to lower the Global Organized Crime Index. This will underpin building confidence and restoring economic stability in the long run.

In closing, the private sector sends a message to political parties that the fight against corruption must translate into real actions, yielding tangible results, and must be bold enough to penalize even those within reformist parties that have deeply rooted corruption and not support individuals with a history of corruption in elections.

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Note: The Zero Corruption Network: JCP and "We Will Not Tolerate" includes the Anti-Corruption Organization (Thailand) (ACT), the Private Sector Coalition Against Corruption (CAC), and the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ). Academic bodies include the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI). Government agencies include the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC).

Private sector networks: The Stock Exchange of Thailand, the Council of Marine Exporters of Thailand, the Thailand Tourism Industry Council, the Thai Capital Market Business Council, the Accounting Profession Council, the Thai Investor Promotion Association, the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand (JFCCT), as well as various trade associations such as the Thai Fresh Market Association, the Thai Retailers Association, the Hotel Association of Thailand, the Thai Restaurant Association, BTS, and Central Retail.