Thailand's PM orders full transparency, targets outdated secrecy laws

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered all government ministries and departments to eliminate unnecessary secrecy and make public information fully accessible, declaring that selective disclosure is incompatible with credible anti-corruption reform.

Anutin issued the directive at Government House in Bangkok on 20 May 2026 after chairing the first integrated public-private coordination meeting on corruption prevention and suppression.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt, representatives from the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand, the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), the Office of the State Audit Commission, the Board of Trade of Thailand, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries, and the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB), alongside delegates from 35 state agencies.

Anutin said the government had convened the meeting after receiving feedback from the private sector regarding concerns over transparency and corruption in public administration.

Agencies directed to adopt technology and amend laws

Anutin instructed all ministries and departments to review their operations to ensure transparency, legal compliance and full auditability.

He directed Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn to lead amendments to public disclosure laws, specifically to remove exemptions that currently allow agencies to withhold public data at their discretion.

He further ordered all state sectors to transition to fully transparent digital operating systems and adopt modern technology and innovation to minimise corruption risks.

"I used to be on the side requesting information," Anutin said. "Whenever data was requested, there were always exceptions — some information could not be disclosed, while some was released only partially."

"I have instructed officials to disclose everything. If legal barriers exist, then the laws should be amended. We can't solve corruption if agencies continue choosing what they want the public to see and hiding the rest."

Any evidence of corruption involving civil servants, ministers or even a prime minister, Anutin said, must be submitted directly to investigative bodies including the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), the PACC, the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), or the courts.

"A thief always leaves traces," he said, adding that corruption cases could ultimately be proven through documentary evidence and systematic investigation.

New committee and investor confidence

Anutin announced the recent establishment of the Anti-Corruption Coordination Committee, tasked with driving concrete outcomes, simplifying state approval processes and improving Thailand's performance in international assessments.

He emphasised that the government was actively reforming structural frameworks and updating archaic legislation to lower corruption risks and restore international investor confidence.

He said maximum transparency and case-by-case prosecutions were essential to reassure foreign investors looking to place capital in Thailand.

Criticism of Corruption Perceptions Index

Anutin also criticised the methodology underlying Thailand's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranking, arguing it relied too heavily on public sentiment and perception rather than verified legal findings.

He noted that if citizens, business leaders or international bodies held concrete evidence of wrongdoing, they should submit it directly to the relevant authorities rather than rely on generalised surveys.

Private sector response

Business leaders welcomed the government's response. Poj Aramwattananont, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, praised the administration for acting swiftly after concerns were raised through private sector surveys.

He said the intention was not to target individuals but to identify structural problems and encourage institutional reform.

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment permanent secretary Raweewan Phuridej said every department under the ministry had been ordered to identify operations vulnerable to corruption, particularly in procurement and licensing systems.

Phuket officials transferred amid extortion allegations

In a separate development, the Department of Provincial Administration ordered the temporary transfer of five Phuket officials following complaints from nightspots along Patong Beach alleging extortion and demands for bribes.

The transfers were intended to prevent interference during the investigation into the allegations.