Corrupt Officials Blamed for Foreigners' Illegal Businesses in Thailand, Poll Finds

A significant majority of Thais attribute the rampant illegal businesses operated by foreigners to corruption among public officials, according to a recent poll by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida). The survey revealed that 67.10% of respondents identified corrupt state officials as the primary factor behind illegal businesses, whether run directly by foreigners or through Thai nominees. Lenient penalties were cited by 59.31%, followed by legal loopholes at 52.21%, and corrupt politicians at 50.46%. Additionally, 48.70% of responders blamed money-driven Thais working with or assisting foreigners, while 44.35% pointed to officials turning a blind eye to these offenses. The poll, which surveyed 1,310 individuals aged 18 and above nationwide, comes in the wake of renewed scrutiny over the issue. The country has been shaken by revelations of Chinese babies allegedly obtaining Thai citizenship with the help of corrupt officials, hospital staff, and Thai men falsely claiming paternity. In response, law enforcement agencies have recently busted several businesses, both large and small, in major cities and popular tourist destinations that were illegally fronted by Thai nominees but owned by foreigners. Information source: Bangkok Post