Corruption in Thailand declining

BANGKOK, January 31 (TNA) - Bangkok-based University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce has found that corruption has been declining in the country, thanks to anti-graft cooperation from several parties. The university's rector, Sauwanee Thairungroj, acknowledged on Thursday that the index of corruption in Thailand stood at 3.9 points in December 2012, up from 3.5 points in December 2011, showing that corruption had declined in the country. Sauwanee told journalists that the index of corruption degrees in Thailand also dropped to 3.4 points last year, from 3.8 points a year earlier, while the index of corruption suppression rose to 4.3 at the end of last year, from 3.7 points in June 2012. The rector assessed, however, that corruption investigation and punishment in Thailand have not been improved. Meanwhile, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) reported that the Corruption Perceptions Index placed Thailand at the 88th ranking among 174 countries worldwide last year, with 3.7 points out of total 10, the latest ranking of which was, nonetheless, lower than the 80th position Thailand was ranked in 2011. (TNA)