Bangkok, Aug 21 (IANS): It is too early to say if Gandhian activist Anna Hazare's movement will make "a real difference in the level of corruption in India", said a Thai daily Sunday.

An editorial in the Bangkok Post said: "Much of the world is following the story of Anna Hazare and his crusade to fight corruption in India, and it's one that resonates especially well in Thailand."

Anna Hazare has vowed to fast for a stronger anti-corruption bill. He was detained Aug 16 and taken to a prison, where he remained until Friday when he shifted to a sprawling ground. His fast entered the sixth day Sunday.

"The 74-year-old social activist who models himself after Mahatma Gandhi has won the admiration of millions of Indians. There have been widespread and spontaneous demonstrations across the country in his support, leaving the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh fumbling to shore up its image," it said.

The editorial, however, added that it was "too early to say if Hazare's movement will make a real difference in the level of corruption in India, but it definitely has the government's attention".

"Not until large numbers of Thais give a similar signal that they are fed up with corruption will there be a realistic chance of bringing it under control here," it added.

It went on to say that "it is unarguably the case that corruption is much less common in everyday life in the West than it is in most so-called developing countries".

"It is debatable whether Hazare's method of trying to force the government into action is the right track, but it is fair to say that without the kind of intense public scrutiny resulting from the movement he's jump-started it would be all too easy to continue on with the status quo.

"The same applies in Thailand..."