In 2019, Thailand ranked 101 in the index.
The 2020 list was topped by Denmark and New Zealand, winning the highest score of 88.
Among Asean countries, Thailand came in sixth, with Singapore topping the list and taking the third position globally with 85 points.
The second highest in the region was Brunei, with 60 points (ranking 35 globally), followed by Malaysia with 51 points (57 globally), Timor-Leste 40 points (86 globally), Indonesia 37 points (102), while Vietnam and Thailand tied with the same score.
This index is an important barometer showing that the media and public are seriously aware of corruption among government agencies, state enterprises, the private sector and civil society.
BANGKOK (The Nation/ANN): The House of Representatives voted on Wednesday (Jan 27) to remove kratom (mitragyna speciosa) from Thailand’s narcotics list and classify the herb as a controlled substance.
The draft Narcotics Act proposed by the Justice Ministry was passed by 319 votes to seven with three abstentions.
If approved by the Senate, the draft will be published in the Royal Gazette and become law within 90 days.
The Cabinet in March 2019 approved the plan to align the law with widespread consumption of kratom, especially by farmers and labourers in the South.
The draft allows production, import and export of kratom by those granted permission by the Narcotics Control Board.However, sale of kratom to people under 18 or pregnant women is prohibited, as is hiring or allowing people under 18 to sell kratom.
BANGKOK (The Nation/ANN): Siam Bioscience on Monday (Jan 25) released a statement following criticism by Progressive Movement leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit over its role in Thailand’s Covid-19 vaccine programme.
BANGKOK (The Nation/ANN): Filling station operator PTG Energy Plc will roll out charging points for electric vehicles as part of its business plan this year, said vice president Rangsun Puangprang.
The first phase of the quick-charge service is set to launch early next month at five PT filling stations in major provinces, before expanding to 30 stations by the end of this year.
PTG said it will also partner with other companies to launch “ultra-charging” stations to serve large EVs such as trucks and buses.
Each ultra-charging station requires investment of Bt40 million-Bt50 million, as a plot of 5-10 rai is needed.
BANGKOK (The Nation/ANN): The new Covid-19 outbreak will wipe Bt140 billion off Thailand’s trade and tourism revenue, TMB Analytics forecast on Wednesday (Jan 13). Trade and tourism account for 22 per cent of Thai gross domestic product (GDP) and 6.9 million jobs.