ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates the meaning of nationalism and corruption in Thailand against the backdrop of Siamese history. The notion of the State is fairly widely accepted by political scientists as a crucible of power based on the Treaty of Westphalia. The notion of the nation, on the other hand, does not have any legal historical basis like the state. It is a widely accepted norm in Western political science that all countries since the Treaty of Westphalia require nation-building and state-building. Nation-building is about creating national identity and takes centuries to ferment. Definitions of corruption are contingent on a scholar's academic discipline and research interest. Bribery is a corrupt act between a government official and a non-government official at the federal, provincial, state and county or neighbourhood levels. Corruption is a way of life in Thailand. Almost every other civil servant can be bought.
