Redefining fair societal rules

Nation must tackle graft and rule of law, writes Mongkol Bangprapa

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Fighting corruption and restoring trust in the rule of law are crucial for Thailand's long-term competitiveness, experts said at a public forum organised by the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ).

The event on Wednesday, titled "Restoring Systemic Structures and Rule of Law to Strengthen National Competitiveness", called for urgent reforms to build fairness, transparency, and greater efficiency across institutions.

Phiset Sa-ardyen, executive director of the TIJ, said the nation stands at a turning point in terms of defining fair societal rules.

"The rule of law is like a football field where fairness depends on clear rules, impartial referees and consequences for violations," he explained.

Yet in practice, he noted, "those with power still enjoy privileges, while referees face pressure from inside and outside the field, eroding public faith in fairness".

He said reform must extend beyond revising laws to restructuring power. A fair system requires balance among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent overreach and eliminate "special players" who act above the law.

"If built on trust, citizens will feel they are on the same team as the state," he said.