The Professionalization of Compliance in Thailand: Barriers and Structural Constraints

Abstract

This study investigates the current status and developmental challenges of compliance as a profession in Thailand. Through a semi-structured mixed methods approach conducted with 10 Thai compliance officers in 2023 and 2024, the research identifies key institutional, cultural, and market-based barriers to professionalization. Findings indicate limited cross-sector mobility, low engagement with professional associations, and employer-dominated structures that hinder the evolution of compliance into a recognized profession. Drawing on global literature, the paper situates Thailand’s context within the broader journey of compliance from a fragmented function to an emerging profession. It utilizes Perks' (1993) model of professionalization and neo-institutional theory to interpret these dynamics, while considering contributions from Parker (1999), Fanto (2020), Pacella (2019), and others to explore progress, tensions, and future pathways.