Most Thai businesses report bribe demands from officials, survey findsLegacyNine in ten businesses in Thailand have encountered bribe requests from government officials, according to a nationwide survey released this week by a coalition of Thailand’s top private sector bodies, with the Pollution Control Department topping the rankings for the highest average payment demanded per encounter. The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCIB), comprising the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries, and the Thai Bankers’ Association, conducted the survey alongside its Zero Corruption working group. Responses were collected from 401 business operators and private sector representatives across Thailand between March and April 2026. The findings paint a broad picture of bribery embedded in routine government dealings. Some 89.1% of respondents said corruption was a moderate to severe obstacle to doing business, while 51.2% reported conditions had worsened compared with three years ago. Only 3% said the situation had improved. Among those who had applied for government permits or approvals, 60.9% said they had received implicit signals or direct requests for payments or other benefits. Of those, 45.9% confirmed they had paid, whether in cash, gifts, or other forms, and 37.3% said winning a government contract required paying an additional 11 to 15% of the contract value.

Cash was the most common form of bribe in Thailand, cited by 46.6% of respondents, followed by gifts and hospitality at 23.1%, and donations or sponsorships at 18.7%. In procurement processes, 27.3% said someone had claimed they could guarantee a contract win, and an equal proportion said they had been directed to use a specific intermediary. In a notable departure from previous surveys, the JSCIB named specific government agencies. The Pollution Control Department recorded the highest average bribe amount per incident at 102,160 baht, followed by the Marine Department at 100,000 baht and the Excise Department at 94,667 baht. The Revenue Department came fourth at 89,498 baht, and the justice process (excluding the courts) at 88,750 baht. The Food and Drug Administration and public health services averaged 74,643 baht per incident, while the Department of Highways recorded 70,167 baht and the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning 70,000 baht. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation averaged 68,000 baht per incident, and the Royal Forest Department 67,500 baht. Ranked separately by frequency of bribe requests in Thailand relative to the number of contacts, highway and traffic police came first with a rate of 100%, meaning a payment or offer was recorded on every single interaction. The justice process followed at 94.4%, subdistrict administrative organisations (SAOs) at 91.7%, the Marine Department at 90%, and the Department of Highways at 82%.

Despite the scale of the findings, 52.3% of respondents said they had no confidence in government whistleblowing channels, and 43.7% said they would not report bribery even if they witnessed it. The most commonly cited reasons for paying were complex bureaucratic procedures (29.1%), laws that grant officials excessive discretionary powers (25%), and the need to resolve problems arising from the respondent’s own regulatory non-compliance (18.8%). The survey findings align with Thailand’s standing in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index for 2024, which gave the country a score of 34 out of 100, placing it 107th out of 180 countries. That was down from 35 the previous year. Within ASEAN, Thailand ranked fifth, behind Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Despite having a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for anti-corruption, the survey suggests enforcement remains far removed from day-to-day business reality. The Pollution Control Department rejected the findings, stating that its operations are transparent and subject to scrutiny at every stage. The department said it would hold a formal press conference today, May 15, at its headquarters. The story Most Thai businesses report bribe demands from officials, survey finds as seen on Thaiger News.

A wedding ceremony in Nong Phai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chaiyaphum Province has sparked considerable buzz among locals and on social media. The event took place on May 15, 2569, and was notably organized by the first wife herself, who served as the senior bride in a traditional betel nut procession requesting a new bride for her husband.

The atmosphere was lively, with over 10 vehicles in the procession, including a caravan of big bikes creating a vibrant spectacle. Family members, friends, and villagers gathered in large numbers to celebrate. Yupin, the first wife, led the procession carrying 300,000 baht in cash and 5 baht of gold as dowry to propose Orauma as an additional wife for her husband, Wisnu. Both parties observed an auspicious time of 09:09 AM for the ceremony, which followed traditional customs completely.

According to inquiries, Wisnu and Yupin have been married for over 20 years and have one child together. The family discussed the arrangement and reached a mutual understanding, leading them to organize the ceremony openly and warmly. Wisnu is a well-known businessman in Chaiyaphum Province who operates a decorated truck rental business with year-round work, in addition to running online businesses and entertainment establishments.

Social media has been flooded with comments, with some viewing the arrangement as unusual, while many others praised the family's open-mindedness and understanding in organizing a joyful and drama-free celebration together.

Legendary artist Sek Loso is making a triumphant comeback with the announcement of a major concert 'SEK LOSO Rebirth' scheduled for June 26th. Star Hunter Entertainment is hosting a 26th birthday celebration for actress Lookkaew Komlaluk titled 'Lookkaew Shine Bright Like a Diamond' on Saturday, June 6th at Centerpoint Studio Thailand, with tickets available through Ticketmelon. Change Showbiz is organizing two major fan convention projects, with the first being 'LMSY BE MY ROMANCE FANCON' featuring the popular couple Lukhmee Panyapatch and Sonnya Sranyapat on June 6th at ICONSIAM Hall. The second fancon, 'POOH-PAVEL SECOND DATE FANCON' featuring Pooh Krittin and Pavel Naresh, takes place on June 7th at ICONSIAM Hall, with tickets selling out in just 15 minutes. CI Showbiz announces the major comeback of legendary artist Sek Loso with a special stage event 'SEK LOSO Rebirth' on Friday, June 26th at MCC Hall The Mall Bangkapi, with ticket sales beginning May 16th through citicket.com. SM True is welcoming back NCT member Jaehyun with his first solo fan convention tour in Thailand, 'JAEHYUN FAN-CON TOUR in BANGKOK,' scheduled for June 27th and 28th at Thunder Dome Muang Thong Thani, with pre-registration opening May 15th and general sales starting May 17th through 7-Eleven and allticket.com. Finally, the chemistry duo Perth Thanaphon and Santa Pongsaphak are preparing an exciting concert 'PERTH SANTA DEVIL'S KISS CONCERT' on July 18-19 at Paragon Hall, with tickets on sale starting May 17th through thaiticketmajor.com, expanding to all channels on May 18th.

On May 15, 2025, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation released a statement in response to a transparency survey conducted by the Zero Corruption working group on May 14, 2025, which placed the department 9th out of 10 agencies with an average bribery amount of 68,000 baht per incident.

The department stated that it takes the matter seriously and has instructed its director to order an immediate investigation of all processes involving private sector interactions. The department remains committed to government policies promoting transparency and accountability to combat corruption sustainably, and follows the policies of Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchath Chomklin, who emphasizes good governance and transparency.

The department stated: "The National Parks Department confirms there is no policy to accept any benefits whatsoever. If any officials are found to have violated discipline or engaged in corruption, the department will impose maximum penalties both administratively and criminally without exception, to preserve the honor and dignity of the majority of civil servants who perform their duties with integrity."

The department is prepared to cooperate and share information with the Zero Corruption working group to investigate facts and establish genuine transparency standards. The public and private sector can report corruption tips directly to the National Parks Department hotline 1362, available 24 hours, or the Government Service Center at 025610777 ext. 1240 during business hours.

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation reaffirms its commitment to conserving natural resources with transparency and accountability based on good governance principles. The department emphasizes that if any state officials are found engaging in inappropriate behavior or soliciting benefits, disciplinary and criminal action will be taken decisively with no exceptions.

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RATCHABURI — On May 14, 2026, thieves stole brass religious artefacts and temple property from a Buddhist temple, including brass finials from Buddha statues and a large replica Buddha footprint kept inside a cave used for meditation, monks said.

The thefts were reported at Wat Tham Kunchon Rat Rangsan in Pak Tho district, where monks discovered that brass decorations and valuable temple items had gradually disappeared from several buildings across the hilltop temple complex.

Phra Athikan Phanuphong Puriyano, abbot of the temple, said brass finials from more than 10 Buddha statues had been removed or cut away. Older Buddha statues inside the temple had also been damaged, while smaller brass Buddha figures placed at the base of a shrine had disappeared entirely.

The thieves also stole electrical wiring, circuit boards, power sockets, two air-conditioning units, ceiling fan blades and CCTV cameras from the temple grounds, the abbot said.

Among the missing items was a large brass replica Buddha footprint installed more than 10 years ago inside a cave used by Buddhist worshippers for meditation and prayer. Water naturally dripped onto the footprint from stalactites and stalagmites inside the cave, making it one of the temple's most revered sites.

The abbot said the loss of the footprint was particularly painful because it had been created through donations and religious devotion from local worshippers.

He said he believed the thieves had gradually cut the brass artefacts into smaller pieces for resale because some items were too large to remove intact.

The temple houses only three monks, and the abbot said one section of the grounds had been left under the care of two monks, one of whom had fallen ill before the thefts were discovered.

Police were notified two days earlier and are investigating possible involvement by a temple assistant after pieces of cut brass allegedly linked to the stolen footprint were found in the person's possession.

The suspect reportedly claimed the abbot had authorised the removal, but the abbot denied this and said he believed the individual may also have been connected to the disappearance of other temple property.

The abbot said the temple would continue restoration efforts while authorities pursued legal action.