The Thai political party, Thai Build Thai (TST), held a major seminar on March 15, 2025, aiming to address the rampant corruption and ethical challenges plaguing the country's political system.
With more than 100 representatives from across the nation, the seminar showcased influential figures such as Suttharat Gayurapan, the party leader, along with veterans like Dr. Pokin Polakul and former MPs, who all voiced their commitment to establishing a transparent, accountable political culture.
The gathering, marked by high energy, centered on the party's vision to create clean politics, improve quality of life, and implement sustainable policies for the welfare of the citizens. The main message echoed during the event was the necessity for political leaders to embody moral integrity and demonstrate genuine accountability to their constituents.
Following this collaborative discussion, TST members united around the consensus of ensuring transformative change within Thailand through leaders who exemplify transparency and honesty, underlined by their recent resolution released after the seminar.
The statement from TST addressed the pressing need to combat corruption, highlighting the country’s falling ranks on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) published by Transparency International. Thailand scored 35 points last year and slumped to 34 this year, ranking it 108th out of 180 countries, whereas neighboring Singapore maintained its place within the top five.
Corruption, described as systemic and deeply embedded within the political framework, has led to widespread dissatisfaction among the populace, many of whom struggle with poverty and lack of opportunities, trapped under mounting debt. The statement urged collective action from all political parties to disentangle themselves from corrupt practices, emphasizing the duty of political leaders to strive for the common good rather than personal gain.
Thailand's recent CPI scores indicate the nation's steep moral decline; the organization reported figures showing Thailand positioned 107th and 108th out of 180 countries over the last two years, trailing behind ASEAN counterparts like Vietnam and Malaysia. Examples were cited of political interference corrupting state institutions and hindering genuine governance.
The critique extends to the moral failures exhibited within the political elite, often prioritizing personal connections over capabilities when appointing ministers. Political appointments have been criticized for being friend-centric rather than wisely based on knowledge and experience, creating systems geared toward personal profit rather than public duty.
Among the leaders’ concerns is the transition from traditional politics to dynamic, people-centered governance. Leading figures within TST have begun presenting new ideas focusing on economic opportunities for local citizens, especially within agricultural sectors which have seen adverse impacts from corrupt practices.
Looking toward the future, TST’s statement has set the groundwork for its mission of cultivating integrity within the political system. They emphasized the importance of dismantling corruption and reforming policies to enable fairness and accountability across all levels of governance.
Truthfulness and ethical behavior are being positioned as priorities, with TST voicing explicitly their rejection of the so-called "floating MPs" or those switching alliance for political gains, asserting outright their desire for principled representatives.
The party has invited collaboration from all political factions to construct what they term is necessary — "good politics" — ensuring trust can be restored with citizens. It is seen as imperative for the credibility of future governance.
This endeavor is being framed not just as political reform but as societal change, presenting TST as not merely another political party, but as vanguards of integrity and responsibility for the future governance of Thailand. The seminar's charged atmosphere reflected enthusiasm for this collective vision, and leaders from TST remain steadfast, prepared to lead by example.