On October 30, 2024, the Thai Government organized the Launch of Thailand’s OECD Membership Accession Process at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with representatives from various sectors including government, private sector, civil society, and academia, as well as ambassadors from OECD member countries in attendance.
The event aimed to disseminate Thailand’s progress in the OECD membership accession process to the general public through the visit to Thailand by Mr. Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and his delegation. On this occasion, the OECD announced Thailand’s status as an Accession Candidate Country and formally presented Thailand’s Accession Roadmap to Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, marking a significant milestone for Thailand in the OECD membership accession process.
On this occasion, the Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized the long-standing close relationship between Thailand and the OECD, expressing commitment to enhancing cooperation with the OECD and member countries, as well as supporting the smooth progress of the membership accession process. Meanwhile, the OECD Secretary-General praised Thailand’s commitment and emphasized the benefits of the membership accession process that will help Thailand achieve its goals of becoming a high-income country with advanced economic growth. Through the membership accession process, Thailand will benefit from working with OECD committees through the preparation of Initial Memoranda (IM) and in-depth Technical Reviews, which will involve knowledge exchange and best practices in the form of recommendations, guidelines, laws, and policy frameworks from experts in various fields for national reforms to meet international standards.
Following the launch event, there was a panel discussion among representatives from the government, private sector, and OECD under the topic “Thailand’s OECD Accession as Transformative Process: What is being Transformed?” moderated by Dr. Salinee Phollpraipai, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Economic Affairs.
Dr. Wanchat Suwankitti, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council discussed Thailand’s preparation for becoming a developed country through the implementation of the National Strategy, National Economic and Social Development Plans, government policies, and various action plans. OECD membership will accelerate Thailand’s achievement of its set goals more rapidly and sustainably. Thailand has now established a Steering Committee for OECD Membership Accession chaired by the Prime Minister to ensure efficient and appropriate implementation. Meanwhile, Dr. Pharm. Nilsuwarn Leelarasmee, Vice Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries discussed challenges facing Thailand’s industrial sector, including rising production costs, relatively low labor productivity, lack of appropriate technology, and highly competitive markets, necessitating reforms in law, human development, technology, industry, and sustainable environment, market liberalization and free investment to support SMEs. OECD operations will help Thailand’s reforms align with international directions. Mr. Alexander Boehmer, Head of South and Southeast Asia Division, Global Relations and Cooperation, OECD described Thailand’s OECD membership as an opportunity to transform the country in multiple areas including tax systems, law, education, competitiveness, green transition, governance, and social protection through review processes and in-depth consultation, which will produce effective results that align with Thailand’s context.
The panelists confirmed the readiness of the government, private sector, and OECD to cooperate strongly to ensure Thailand’s membership accession process proceeds smoothly and generates maximum benefits for all sectors.
Progress on Thailand’s OECD membership accession can be followed at bit.ly/43SdmE0
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