Thailand Rule of Law
Rule of Law RL.EST
Thailand's rule of law was 0.23 in 2025, ranked 91st globally. This represents a 7.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Thailand's rule of law stood at 0.23 in 2025, a decline of +0.02 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.23 by 2025. Thailand ranked 91st globally.
Thailand’s Rule of Law score on the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators has slipped from an all‑time peak of 0.58 in 2000 to a low of –0.26 in 2009, before stabilising at 0.23 in 2025, placing the country 91st globally. The 26‑year series shows a gradual erosion of legal certainty and enforcement, with the 2009 trough coinciding with political turmoil that undermined judicial independence. Compared with peers, Thailand’s 2025 rating of 0.23 is marginally lower than Vanuatu’s 0.24 and the Bahamas’ 0.24, but higher than the Maldives (0.20) and far above China’s 0.11, indicating a modest relative standing in the region. The modest recovery after the 2009 dip suggests that reforms in the criminal justice system and anti‑corruption measures have partially restored confidence, yet the score remains well below the early‑2000s peak. Continued institutional strengthening and transparent law‑making will be crucial if Thailand is to reverse the long‑term downward trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Rule of Law | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.25 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.23 | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.23 | −0.02 | #91 |
| 2023 | 0.24 | +0.18 | #85 |
| 2022 | 0.07 | −0.03 | #91 |
| 2021 | 0.09 | −0.02 | #89 |
| 2020 | 0.11 | +0.02 | #89 |
| 2019 | 0.09 | +0.09 | #87 |
| 2018 | 0.00 | −0.02 | #95 |
| 2017 | 0.01 | +0.04 | #93 |
| 2016 | -0.03 | +0.16 | #95 |
| 2015 | -0.19 | +0.03 | #100 |
| 2014 | -0.22 | −0.08 | #103 |
| 2013 | -0.14 | +0.03 | #96 |
| 2012 | -0.17 | +0.06 | #100 |
| 2011 | -0.23 | +0.00 | #103 |
| 2010 | -0.23 | +0.03 | #106 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Thailand matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2017. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw rule of law improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Thailand's rule of law was 0.23 in 2025. Ranked 91st globally. This represents a 7.1% decrease from the previous year.
Thailand's rule of law peaked at 0.58 in 2000.
The lowest rule of law in Thailand was -0.26 in 2009.
Thailand ranks 91st globally in rule of law as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RL.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Thailand's rule of law is projected to reach 0.23 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The rule of law of Thailand in 2025 was 0.23. This ranks 91st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_thailand_rule-of-law,
title = {Thailand Rule of Law},
url = {https://historysaid.com/thailand/rule-of-law/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}