Thailand ranks 80th in global Rule of Law Index

Thailand has dropped three places to 80th out of 143 countries in the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index. The nation’s overall score stands at 0.50 out of 1.00, placing it 10th out of 15 countries in the East Asia and Pacific region.

The report indicates that Thailand fell below the global average in seven of the eight categories evaluated. The only metric where Thailand exceeded the global average was “order and security” (0.75). Significant declines were noted in “absence of corruption” and “regulatory enforcement,” which have decreased by 5.6% and 4.0% respectively over the last five years.

Other areas of concern include constraints on government power, fundamental rights, and criminal justice. The decline in scores for freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and judicial oversight of executive power highlights ongoing institutional challenges. Experts suggest that strengthening the rule of law is essential for attracting foreign investment and supporting Thailand’s goal of joining the OECD by 2028.