Bangkok: “Zero Corruption Working Group: The Federation of Thai Industries and Friends of Non-Tolerance” has joined forces with the private sector to combat corruption and announced a Quick Impact Plan covering six areas within the first six months to create a transparent and competitive Thailand and to instill sustainable awareness.
According to Thai News Agency, the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry, and Banking (JSCCIB), comprising the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries, and the Thai Bankers’ Association, along with the “Zero Corruption: CGTC and Friends, No Tolerance” Working Group, jointly announced the private sector’s shared stance on creating a transparent, competitive, and sustainable Thailand. Led by Dr. Poj Aramwattananon, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand, and Chairman of the JSCCIB, the group was established in accordance with the JSCCIB’s resolution on October 3, 2025. The aim is to gather proposals from the business and civil society sectors and develop policy proposals to be systematically presented to the government to ensure their implementation. This initiative seeks to restore investor confidence and create a transparent and fair Thai economic and political system. To strengthen the group’s capabilities, relevant agencies have been invited to j
oin and declare the Thai private sector’s stance against all forms of corruption, starting with addressing corruption and Government Efficiency, which are main obstacles to Thailand’s competitiveness.
In addition to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), key network partners have joined the effort, including the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT), the Private Sector Collective Action Coalition Against Corruption (CAC), and the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), as well as academic institutions such as the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI). This collaboration aims to jointly design policies, systems, and mechanisms leading to a transparent and accountable society. The FTI has also expanded to include prevention and suppression agencies such as the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), along with private sector support networks such as the Stock Exchange of Thailand, the Thai National Shippers’ Council, and the Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations (FTC), and other private sector partners, including trade associations such as the Thai Fresh Market Association
, the Thai Retailers Association, the Thai Hotels Association, and the Thai Restaurant Association.
The Action Plan, called the Quick Impact Plan, targets six areas within the first six months to eliminate corruption from Thai society. These areas include raising awareness through press conferences and forums, campaigning for anti-corruption policies within organizations, implementing a risk management system to monitor corruption, promoting the disclosure of government information, leveraging technology for transparency, and establishing guidelines for complaints and protection of whistleblowers.
Mr. Kriangkrai Thienukul, Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, stated that the Thai industrial sector is entering an era where ‘transparency’ must be the new standard for business operations. He emphasized that corruption is an ‘invisible cost’ that undermines the country’s potential in terms of investment, technology, and future economic opportunities. Economic development cannot take place if corruption persists, as it hinders national growth and investor confidence.
Mr. Kobsak Duangdee, Secretary-General of the Thai Bankers’ Association, highlighted three challenges Thailand faces: structural fragility with a high informal economy, lack of competitiveness in the global economy, and governmental challenges with outdated regulations. He noted that all these challenges are linked to corruption and trust in the Thai economy.
The Zero Corruption Working Group’s efforts align with the Reinvent Thailand concept, emphasizing private and public sector participation and driven by accurate and transparent data. This initiative supports Thailand’s reform and aims to build trust and confidence among investors and the global community, especially as Thailand hosts the IMF-WBG Annual Meetings in 2026.
The June 2025 survey of the Thai Corruption Situation Index by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce’s Center for Economic and Business Forecasting showed a decline in the overall index, reflecting a worsening of Thailand’s corruption situation. The “Zero Corruption: The FTI and Friends of Not Tolerating” Working Group reiterated its commitment to developing policy proposals to be presented to the government for practical implementation. The initiative aims to drive national reform by promoting the permanent eradication of corruption in all public and private sector transactions.