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Driving Thailand towards OECD Membership (Th2oecd)

Driving Thailand towards OECD Membership (Th2oecd)

Driving Thailand towards OECD Membership (TH2OECD)

Thailand and OECD The OECD Thailand Country Programme Phase I The OECD Thailand Country Programme Phase II Driving Thailand towards OECD Membership (TH2OECD)

News/Updates

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OECD
30 June 2025

NESDC Discusses with OECD senior representatives on advancing towards membership and exchanging knowledge on futures studies for national development

Mr. Danucha Pichayanan, Secretary-General of NESDC along with NESDC executives and officials participated in discussions with the Colombian Ambassador to the OECD and Romanian Chargé d’Affaires to exchange views on OECD membership and share knowledge on Strategic Foresight techniques for drafting the 14th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2028-2032) during June 22-27, 2025, in […]

OECD
5 June 2025

NESDC Attended the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting and Parallel Discussions in Paris

On June 3-4, 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, along with the Ambassador to Paris, Director-General of the International Economic Affairs Department, and Director of the International Cooperation Strategy and Coordination Division, NESDC Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NESDC attended the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting 2025 (MCM 2025) under the theme “Leading […]

OECD
1 May 2025

NESDC Hosts Conference to Disseminate Mid-term Implementation Results of OECD-Thailand Country Programme Phase 2 (CP2), Advancing Thailand’s Standards to International Level

On Thursday, May 1, 2025, the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) in collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) organized the Conference to Disseminate the Mid-term Review Results of the OECD-Thailand Country Programme Phase 2 (The Mid-term Review of CP2) at Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel, withMr. Danucha […]

OECD
24 March 2025

Discussion Meeting between NESDC Secretary-General And the British Ambassador to Enhance Bilateral Cooperation and Drive Thailand’s OECD Membership Process

On March 24, 2025, Mr. Danucha Pichayanan, Secretary-General of NESDC, welcomed H.E. Mr. Mark Gooding OBE, British Ambassador to Thailand, along with NESDC executives and officials, together with representatives from the British Embassy who joined the discussion. During this occasion, both parties discussed and exchanged views on economic conditions, trade and investment, international economy, structural […]

OECD
21 March 2025

The Secretary-General of NESDC Meeting with the Australian Ambassador to confirm Thailand’s commitment to joining the OECD, with Australia ready to provide support

On March 21, 2025, Mr. Danucha Pichayanan, Secretary-General of the NESDC, met with Dr. Angela Macdonald PSM (H.E. Dr. Angela Macdonald PSM), Australian Ambassador to Thailand, regarding support for Thailand’s OECD membership, as well as exchanging views and best practices on economic and social development. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Australian Embassy […]

OECD
10 March 2025

The government has set a target for Thailand to become an OECD member by 2030 to elevate the country to greater international standards.

On March 10, 2025, Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister chaired the 1st meeting of 2025 of the Committee for Overseeing Thailand’s OECD Membership Operations to establish guidelines for driving OECD membership. The meeting was attended by Mr. Pichai Chunhavajira, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, political officials, […]

OECD
20 December 2024

NESDC Consults with Government Agencies on Planning Thailand’s OECD Membership Process for 2025

On Friday, December 20, 2024, the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) organized a consultation meeting regarding Thailand’s OECD membership. The meeting aimed to help government agencies and private sector understand the OECD membership process, particularly for 2025 when Thailand must begin preparing the Initial Memorandum (IM), which is a preliminary […]

OECD
19 December 2024

NESDC Special briefing on Thailand’s implementation process for OECD membership at the Trade Regulations and Multilateral Subcommittee meeting of the Federation of Thai Industries

On December 19, 2024, Dr. Nilsuwan Leelarasamee, Vice Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, chaired the 3/2024 Trade Regulations and Multilateral Subcommittee meeting. Representatives from the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) were invited to deliver special presentations on “Thailand’s Implementation Process for […]

OECD
13 December 2024

The Ministry of Education organizes a working group meeting to drive educational and skills development initiatives supporting Thailand’s OECD membership process

On December 13, 2024, Mr. Pichet Phopakdee, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, chaired the opening of the working group meeting on education and skills development to support Thailand’s OECD membership process. Representatives from the Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Labor (MOL), Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), Office […]

Thailand-OECD Relations

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Background and Significance

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February: Cabinet Resolution of February 15, 2022, acknowledged the results of Country Programme (CP) Phase 1 and assigned NESDC and MFA to consult with relevant agencies to develop CP Phase 2. Additionally, MFA was tasked to study the readiness, feasibility, and benefits Thailand would gain from OECD membership.

September: MFA commissioned TDRI to study and research the suitability of OECD membership. The study found that Thailand would benefit more from full membership than non-member status.

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March: The signing of the MoU for CP Phase 2 will help Thailand access OECD’s knowledge and best practices continuously, strengthen relationships, and bring Thailand closer to OECD membership.

December: Cabinet Resolution of December 26, 2023, approved Thailand’s letter of intent for OECD membership and assigned NESDC and MFA as main coordinating agencies for driving OECD membership.

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February: MFA submitted a copy of Thailand’s letter of intent for OECD membership to OECD, marking the official membership application.

16 April: Thailand submitted the original letter of intent for OECD membership.

17 June: OECD Council approved opening accession discussions with Thailand.

June: OECD Council approved Thailand’s OECD membership roadmap (Roadmap for the OECD Accession Process of Thailand).

10 July: OECD Council approved Thailand’s OECD membership roadmap (Roadmap for the OECD Accession Process of Thailand).

28 October: Prime Minister signed the order appointing the Committee for Supervising Thailand’s OECD Membership Process.

30 October: OECD Secretary-General paid a courtesy call to the Prime Minister and attended Thailand’s OECD accession process launch, presenting Thailand’s OECD membership roadmap to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

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18 February: Cabinet Resolution of February 18, 2025, acknowledged progress in Thailand’s OECD membership and approved the fiscal year 2025 central budget, emergency reserve funds for implementing the OECD membership process project.

10 March: Prime Minister chaired the Committee for Supervising Thailand’s OECD Membership Process meeting, which set the goal for Thailand to achieve OECD membership by 2030.

8 July: Cabinet Resolution of July 8, 2025, acknowledged and approved the results of the first meeting of the Committee for Supervising Thailand’s OECD Membership Process (1/2025) and instructed relevant agencies to continue concrete implementation of Thailand’s OECD membership process.

OECD Membership Process

The OECD membership process consists of two main phases: Pre-accession Process and Accession Process.

Current Tasks for Thai Agencies

Factsheet on Thailand’s OECD Membership

Factsheet on Thailand’s OECD Membership Status as of August 18, 2025

  • Background
  • Thailand’s OECD Membership Process
  • Benefits and Impacts of OECD Membership
  • OECD Business Network (Business at OECD: BIAC)
  • OECD Parliamentary Network (Global Partnership Network: GPN)
  • Thailand’s Current OECD Membership Process
  • Next Steps in Thailand’s Domestic Implementation
Download Factsheet

Roadmap for the OECD Accession Process of Thailand

Download

Framework for OECD Membership Consideration

(Framework for the Consideration of Prospective Members)

Consists of 5 conditions to guide Thailand’s implementation of OECD membership process, including:

1. STATE OF READINESS

Country’s Readiness to Align Standards with OECD

2. Country’s commitment to OECD values and membership obligations

Country’s Commitment to OECD Values and Membership Obligations

3. INstitutional framework

Public Administration Framework and Institutional Structure

4. key economic indicators

Key Economic Indicators

5. relations with the oecd

OECD Engagement

Related Documents

Thailand’s Status in OECD Committees/Subsidiary Bodies

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Invitee

PARTICIPANT

ASSOCIATE/MEMBER

Download documents from past meetings

ภูมิหลังและภาพรวมการดำเนินโครงการ โดย Mr. Alexander Böhmer (OECD) การทบทวนผลการดำเนินโครงการของประเทศไทยภายใต้ Country Programme ระยะที่ 2 โดย นายณัฏฐา พาชัยยุทธ (สำนักงาน ก.พ.ร.) การทบทวนผลกํารดำเนินโครงการของประเทศไทยภายใต้ Country Programme ระยะที่ 2 โดย Mr. Ori Schwartz (OECD) การทบทวนผลการดำเนินโครงการของประเทศไทยภายใต้ Country Programme ระยะที่ 2 โดย นายพีรพัฒน์ ตัณฑวณิช (สศช.) การทบทวนผลการดำเนินโครงการของประเทศไทยภายใต้ Country Programme ระยะที่ 2 โดย นางสาวสุทธาสิณี กล่าวกิติกุล (DEDE) การทบทวนผลการดำเนินโครงการของประเทศไทยภายใต้ Country Programme ระยะที่ 2 โดย Douglas Herrick (OECD) การสะท้อนบทเรียนจากความร่วมมือระหว่างไทยกับ OECD ในการก้าวต่อไปข้างหน้า โดย นายธัชไท กีรติพงค์ไพบูลย์ (สศช.)
การประชุมหารือการเข้าเป็นสมาชิก OECD ของไทย และประเด็นที่ต้องดำเนินการเพื่อขับเคลื่อนกระบวนการในระยะถัดไป การจัดทำ Initial Memorandum ประกอบการเข้าเป็นสมาชิก OECD ของประเทศไทย
Thailand’s Economic and Social Transformation โดย รศช. วันฉัตร สุวรรณกิตติ
การประชุมหารือเกี่ยวกับการเข้าเป็นสมาชิก OECD ของไทย โดย รศช. วันฉัตร สุวรรณกิตติ
ปาฐกถา เรื่อง ประเทศไทยกับการเข้าเป็นสมาชิก OECD โดย นพ. พรหมินทร์ เลิศสุริย์เดช เลขาธิการนายกรัฐมนตรี การดำเนินงานของประเทศไทยในการเข้าเป็นสมาชิก OECD โดย นายวันฉัตร สุวรรณกิตติ รองเลขาธิการ สศช. ประโยชน์และผลกระทบจากการเข้าเป็นสมาชิก OECD และแนวทางการเตรียมความพร้อมของภาคเอกชน เพื่อรับมือและปรับตัว ต่อการเข้าเป็นสมาชิก OECD ของประเทศไทย โดย นายสุทธิเกตตื์ ทัดพิทักษ์กุล ที่ปรึกษาด้านการลงทุน สำนักงานคณะกรรมการส่งเสริมการลงทุน ประโยชน์และผลกระทบจากการเข้าเป็นสมาชิก OECD และแนวทางการเตรียมความพร้อมของภาคเอกชน เพื่อรับมือและปรับตัวต่อการเข้าเป็นสมาชิก OECD ของประเทศไทย “ด้านการแข่งขันทางการค้า” โดย ดร.อัครพล ฮวบเจริญ ผู้อำนวยการฝ่ายกิจการต่างประเทศ สำนักงาน กขค. บทบาทของภาคเอกชนในการขับเคลื่อนประเทศไทยผ่านการเข้าร่วมการเป็นสมาชิก OECD และประเด็นที่ภาคเอกชนต้องการให้ภาครัฐดำเนินการ โดย ดร.ภก.นิลสุวรรณ ลีลารัศมี รองประธานสภาอุตสาหกรรมแห่งประเทศไทย
การปรับมาตรฐานของไทยให้สอดคล้องกับมาตรฐานสากล และการเขา้าเป็นภาคีตราสารทางกฎหมายของ OECD ภาพรวมการเข้าเป็นสมาชิก OECD โดย รศช. วันฉัตร มุมมองของภาคเอกชนและประเด็นที่ต้องการให้ภาครัฐดำเนินการ บทบาทของภาครัฐและกระทรวงการต่างประเทศในการขับเคลื่อนการเข้าเป็นสมาชิก OECD ของไทย

Frequently asked questions

Sometimes we may see the term “OCDE.” Do not assume it is a typo, as it may be written in French. “OCDE” (O-C-D-E) is the French abbreviation for Organisation de coopération et de développement économiques, while in English it is “OECD” (O-E-C-D), which stands for Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Pros

  • Promotes multi-dimensional structural reforms and establishes international standards
  • Increases trade competitiveness and opportunities to access member country markets
  • Thailand’s GDP will grow by 1.6%, equivalent to 270 billion baht in 2020
  • Greater access to global economic databases
  • Receive close consultation and technical assistance from OECD
  • Enhance Thailand’s image and promote Thailand’s role on the global stage

Cons

  • Annual membership fees of approximately 3-7 million euros per year, depending on the country’s economic size
  • Membership may impact the economy and society in certain areas, such as disclosure requirements and non-discrimination obligations
  • OECD functions as a think tank that serves as a platform for experts and a repository of diverse data, where countries can seek consultation or use as a knowledge source for addressing various issues.
  • OECD’s distinctive feature is its committee-based approach with experts covering multiple fields, emphasizing the development of new knowledge according to the changing global context.
  • There is no punishment system for member countries that fail to comply with common standards, but peer review mechanisms are used to evaluate compliance and provide academic opinions.
  • No financial assistance is provided to member countries, but emphasis is placed on discussions to establish standards and support policies to help develop well-being and build a stronger, cleaner, and more equitable world, according to the motto “Better policies for better lives.”
  • TDRI research indicates that if Thailand becomes a member, inequality would decrease slightly, which is not statistically significant. Therefore, it can be concluded that OECD membership does not significantly increase or decrease Thailand’s inequality.
  • Membership has both beneficiaries and those who may be disadvantaged. Therefore, Thailand may consider making reservations on issues that must preserve national interests, and the government must have measures to compensate those affected.
  • Examples of reservations made by Costa Rica, which has an economy similar in size to Thailand, include:
    • Allowing foreigners to use land for business only in certain areas
    • Specialized professions such as doctors and engineers must operate according to domestic regulations only
    • Domestic land transportation services can only be operated by Costa Rican companies, with Costa Rican nationals holding at least 51% of shares
  • Thailand has cooperated with OECD for over 20 years and has adjusted standards to align with OECD to some extent through Country Programme Phase 1 (2018-2021) and Phase 2 (2023-2025)
  • Thailand has endorsed 11 out of 271 OECD instruments and has continuously upgraded its status in committees. For example, in 2021, NESDC received Participant status in the Regulatory Committee
  • OECD places Thailand in tier 1, which OECD is interested in inviting for membership
  • The OECD membership process may involve Article 178 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2560 (2017) regarding treaties to be implemented jointly with international organizations
  • Therefore, the matter may be brought to Parliament for consideration, with details to be discussed with the Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs and the Office of the Council of State

NESDC The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will discuss with OECD and invite relevant Thai agencies to participate in discussions, presenting reasons and concerns why Thailand may not be able to adjust to OECD standards. Agencies can negotiate to make reservations on certain issues, based on Thailand’s interests

  • No country has failed to meet OECD standards and been told to cancel. There have only been internal events in those countries that caused OECD to announce the termination of the Accession process, and cases where member countries vetoed candidate countries due to personal conflicts
  • Russia is a country where OECD announced the termination of the Accession process in 2014 due to the Crimean crisis. Russia had been in the Accession process since 2007
  • Croatia was vetoed but ultimately received unanimous consensus to enter the Accession process. In 2017, Croatia submitted its intention to become a member but was vetoed by Hungary due to conflicts between the two countries over an oil company corruption case. However, in 2018, Hungary ended its opposition to membership, allowing Croatia to receive unanimous consensus to enter the Accession process in 2022

TDRI research indicates that from evaluating the economies of 7 member countries with economic sizes similar to Thailand, membership helps increase overall national productivity, resulting in direct GDP growth of 0.05% and net economic expansion of 1.6% in the first 5 years

Upgrading cooperation status demonstrates Thailand’s commitment to higher-level cooperation with OECD, particularly Associate status, which is equivalent to full membership of OECD. This represents good value in demonstrating Thailand’s commitment to OECD member countries

We should not view OECD membership as an FTA or a matter of gains and losses, as OECD membership is not equivalent to an FTA and is not an FTA by nature. Rather, it is about creating common standards and enhancing governance, which may help facilitate FTA negotiations

Currently, the schedules of the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999) follow a Negative List approach (allowing everything except reserved matters) as OECD desires, except Schedule 3 (21) which remains a Positive List (reserving everything except permitted matters). However, the Foreign Business Act is currently undergoing performance evaluation under the Act on Principles for Drafting Laws and Evaluation of Legal Performance B.E. 2562 (2019), which is expected to be completed by 2024. The Ministry of Commerce may consider using the evaluation results to improve the Foreign Business Act to align with OECD conditions and maximize benefits for Thailand. Additionally, Sunset Clauses, which are provisions that terminate the application of laws, can be used to set expiration periods for reservations to create transition periods for relevant sectors to have sufficient time to adapt or operate in accordance with OECD standards

OECD has a committee called the “Regional Development Policy Committee” that provides recommendations on regional policy development, including local development. Relevant Thai agencies can express interest in joining this committee to create participation and benefit from membership to improve and develop operations in accordance with OECD standards

The OECD membership process has no fixed timeframe. It depends on the candidate country’s ability to reform its operations to align with OECD standards. OECD committees in each area will evaluate whether the candidate country has successfully adjusted internal regulations to comply with OECD standards as specified in the Accession Roadmap, before issuing an invitation letter for the candidate country to accept legal obligations and become a full OECD member

Conflicts are unlikely since most current OECD member countries are also WTO members, and WTO has close cooperation with OECD and observer status in the OECD Trade Committee

Joint seminars between the public and private sectors should be organized to increase awareness, focusing on sustainability and keeping pace with rapidly changing technology, particularly regarding impacts on young entrepreneurs who are important leaders of economic transition

NESDC will organize workshops to raise awareness of Thailand’s OECD membership for the private sector, civil society, and relevant sectors, possibly inviting representatives from the Thai Chamber of Commerce to participate as panelists in the meetings, scheduled for January-February 2024