An in-depth survey reveals that the private sector routinely pays bribes to the government. The chairman of the Anti-Corruption Organization expressed disappointment over some agencies' attitudes, which reject academic data and see it as harassment, despite the data being useful for internal review.
On 14 May 2026 GMT+7, the Joint Private Sector Committee of three institutions (JPSC), through the Zero Corruption working group—JPSC and Friends Against Intolerance—released results of a survey titled “Private Sector Opinions on Transparency in Government Operations.” They surveyed 401 executives and business representatives nationwide between 26 March and 10 April 2026. The findings show corruption remains a structural crisis severely undermining Thailand's business environment, with 99.7% saying corruption hinders business. Additionally, 51.2% reported corruption has worsened compared to the past three years, 48.5% said it stayed the same, and 0.3% saw improvement.
After the survey announcement on 14 May 2026 GMT+7, the Director-General of the Pollution Control Department led senior officials to rebut claims that their department ranks highest in bribery demands. They affirmed the department lacks authority to approve or license private entities and questioned the data collection and the average bribe figure exceeding 100,000 baht. They stated that if corruption by officials is found, strict action will be taken, but if untrue, they seek fairness to restore the organization's reputation.
Thairath Online's special news team interviewed Dr. Mana Nimitmongkol, chairman of the Anti-Corruption Organization (Thailand) or ACT, who participated in the survey. He explained that the survey questions followed World Bank methodologies previously used in Thailand. The survey included 26 agencies, but only 10 were initially published based on frequency and highest bribe amounts.
It is important to note that bribes generally occur when private businesses—not the general public—interact with government agencies. Any government agency where the private sector must conduct transactions, obtain licenses, approvals, or is subject to evaluation often involves bribes. The amounts vary per occasion or official. This survey confirms that what many say is true: corruption is systemic within Thailand's bureaucracy, not just individual misconduct. Punishing individuals alone cannot sustainably solve the problem; the system itself must be reformed to close loopholes.
For example, the Pollution Control Department inspects and evaluates factories or hotels regarding dust, smoke, gas, or wastewater treatment standards. These powers have become opportunities for officials to solicit bribes. Some cases involve genuine violations by operators, but others are to buy convenience, privileges, or avoid harassment. These practices impose costs and damage the country's reputation among investors.
Regarding bribe amounts, respondents said large businesses tend to pay more while smaller ones pay less per instance. Some government services have fixed rates, but the figures cited represent averages across all respondents.
Certain agencies closely related to daily life for citizens and businesses are widely known to require payments when encountering certain situations, making bribery a "custom" that private sector or citizens offer proactively without being asked to get things done. Examples include drivers slowing down to toss money into a container at checkpoints or handing envelopes to inspectors claiming travel expenses, with amounts commonly ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 baht.
When asked which agencies are most concerning, Dr. Mana identified highway police as the top concern because of their impact on daily life and public safety. Other groups affect fewer stakeholders, but the first group significantly impacts citizens and businesses.
"Today we disclose these facts so everyone understands this is not mere speculation or baseless accusations. The government must address systemic problems. Oversight agencies like the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), the Office of the Auditor General, and the Anti-Corruption Organization must focus directly on these agencies. Ministries need strict internal controls. Meanwhile, the public and private sectors must not tolerate such situations, refuse to pay bribes, and file complaints."
Complaints need not be directed to the agencies themselves, as fear of retaliation is common. Instead, report to the NACC, the Anti-Corruption Organization, or via ACT’s “Chat to Report Corruption Instantly” service on LINE @corruptionwatch.
"This afternoon (15 May 2026 GMT+7), the Pollution Control Department sent a letter to the organization. Unlike other ministries that respond by requesting survey details to investigate and resolve issues or publicly announce anti-corruption policies with strict penalties for officials involved, the Pollution Control Department regrettably denied the academic data and dismissed the issue as harassment. This attitude is unfortunate for public service," Dr. Mana concluded.
