Leveraging Political Development for Corruption Reduction in Thailand: Insights From the Republic of Korea

ABSTRACT This research investigates how political institutional development can mitigate corruption in Thailand by drawing lessons from South Korea's reform trajectory. Anchored in the frameworks, the study explains both electoral behavior and the strategic constraints of policy implementation in patronage‐based systems. Through comparative analysis, it highlights how Korea's shift toward independent oversight, digital transparency, and coordinated e‐governance helped dismantle information monopolies and reduce agency costs. In contrast, Thailand's fragmented political landscape, entrenched monopolistic structures, and informal coalitions continue to undermine accountability. By contextualizing Korea's experiences within Thailand's institutional realities, the study proposes pragmatic, sequenced reforms—ranging from digital democracy to structural adjustments in public sector compensation.