The Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand has urged state agencies to stop overseas study trips that are largely tourism-oriented. Chairman Mana Nimitmongkol posted on his Facebook that a search through ACT Ai showed that from 2016 to 2025, state agencies organised at least 928 overseas study trips, with total spending exceeding 2.5 billion baht, or about 250 million baht per year. It is therefore a major lost opportunity if the state organises trips without clear and meaningful outcomes," he said. Some trips have cost as much as 20.8 million baht for a single trip, with popular destinations including European countries such as France, Germany, Italy and Austria, followed by Japan and South Korea. Mr Mana urged the judiciary to build on this step by tightening policies and practices on overseas travel, ensuring accountability and value for taxpayers' money, and setting an example for other state agencies.

Source: Bangkok Post March 26, 2026 00:37 UTC