Did the Military Spearhead the Fight Against Corruption in Thailand?
Abstract: Public perception in Thailand considers the military beyond its designated role of providing national defence and security. The military is also the protector of the throne and the defender of the righteousness. This is why coup d’etat in Thailand is welcomed and frequently perceived as anti-corruption by the public. Corruption is repeatedly alleged for the military to stage a coup. It is interesting to see how the military could lead the fight against corruption. However, this paper reveals that the military did not fight against corruption. In fact, it empirically worsens corruption situation in Thailand by intervening through the national budgetary process in the disguise of elite recruitment in public authorities. Distortion in budget allocation created by this intervention causes competition for political power and economic resources to proliferate and corruption is ensued.
