99 is an auspicious number even on the graft index
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Transparency International gave Thailand a humbling 36 out of 100 points on its 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index, ranking it 99 out of 180 countries.
I think the score and ranking aren’t too bad considering that Thailand has more military coups than general elections, that no elected governments but one has lasted a four-year term, and that its Army chief is more powerful than the prime minister.
Also, look at the bright side. Nine is an auspicious number in Thai culture, so 99 is even better – twice auspicious.
Somsak Pola
