Corruption and Democracy in Thailand

This book is the result of a major research study on corruption, set in its political context. It covers estimates of the amounts involved; the roles of politicians, businesspeople, bureaucrats and police; the political background and impact; popular attitudes to corruption; and potential counter-measures. The publication of the original research prompted a political storm. Both inside and outside Thailand, this work is recognized as a landmark study in an area of critical importance for political and economic development.

“One of the most important works on Thailand in recent years . . . this is a book that all those interested in Thailand should beg, borrow or steal…” —Gehan Wijeyewardene, Australian National University

“. . . a pioneering work, based on primary data . . . very valuable for the development of democracy in Thailand . . .”—Taweep Woradilok, Matichon

“. . . has a clear central argument and is well-written…strongly recommended for those with an interest in Thai politics or bureaucratic and political corruption…”—Asian Journal of Political Science

About the Authors

Pasuk Pongpaichit took a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge and has written on the Thai economy, Japanese investment, labour, and migration. 

Sungsidh Piriyarangsan took a Ph.D. from Bielefeld University and has written on Thai bureaucratic capitalism and labour topics. Both teach in the faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University, and are associated with the faculty’s Political Economy Centre.