Despite these efforts, corruption remains a pervasive problem in Thailand, particularly in the bureaucracy. The World Bank's 2020 Control of Corruption Index ranks Thailand 95th out of 190 countries, indicating a moderate level of corruption. The 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International also ranked Thailand as the 101st least corrupt country out of 180 countries.
One of the main causes of corruption in the bureaucracy is the lack of accountability and transparency in the procurement process. Public officials often award contracts to companies without competitive bidding, leading to inflated prices and the siphoning of funds to the officials' personal accounts. In addition, the sale of positions to the highest bidders also contributes to corruption in the bureaucracy, as public officials are more interested in enriching themselves than serving the public.
Another factor that contributes to corruption in the bureaucracy is the lack of enforcement and punishment for corrupt officials. Despite the efforts of the NACC, many corruption cases go unpunished, as the legal system is often slow and inefficient. This lack of consequences for corrupt behavior only encourages public officials to continue engaging in corrupt practices.
In conclusion, corruption in the bureaucracy is a pervasive problem in Thailand, and it primarily relates to procurement projects, the selling of positions to the highest bidders, and bribery and exploitation of legal loopholes. To address this problem, the government must focus on increasing accountability and transparency in the procurement process, strengthening the enforcement of anti-corruption laws, and implementing effective measures to punish corrupt officials.