Thailand ranked world's 88th for transparency

BANGKOK, December 6 (TNA) - The Anti-Corruption Network says more parties are joining forces with the network in anti-corruption campaigns, after Transparency International has ranked Thailand the world's 88th in its transparency survey this year, down from the 80th last year. Pramon Sutivong, Chair of Thailand's Anti-Corruption Network, acknowledged Thursday that the survey showed that the country had a negative image about corruption and the index should prompt Thai people to beware of and join forces to monitor and to address the problem. Pramon promised that his network will campaign harder against graft for the sake of national interests. According to the annual survey covering 176 countries worldwide, Denmark, Finland and New Zealand shared the top position for transparency by scoring 90 points out of total 100 points. Sweden was ranked fourth with 88 points and Singapore fifth with 87 points. Thailand scores 37 points. At the bottom of the corruption perceptions index were Somalia, North Korea and Afghanistan, which shared eight points, followed by Sudan with 13 points, Myanmar with 15 points, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan with 17 points, Iraq with 18 points and Venezuela with 19 points. (TNA)