The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) invited the head of the Thai delegation, Professor Emeritus Bowornsak Uwanno, Deputy Prime Minister, along with the Thai delegation comprising Ms. Pongsawat Neelayadhin, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, and Mr. Yodchat Tasarika, Director of the Legal Division, Acting Legal Advisor and Executive of the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), to participate in the OECD Global Roundtable on Equal Access to Justice 2025 in Madrid, Spain, from November 12-14, 2025. This meeting was co-hosted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Spanish government, with the objective of exchanging strategies for developing rule of law reforms, public sector governance, and people-centered justice processes, with representatives from 50 countries and international organizations in attendance.
At this meeting, Professor Emeritus Bowornsak Uwanno, Deputy Prime Minister, delivered a statement at the Justice Leaders’ Dialogue Roundtable on the topic “Justice system at a crossroads challenges and opportunities in a changing world,” emphasizing that Thailand is committed to elevating the rule of law through the development of a rule of law policy framework to respond to economic, social, and technological challenges that are unavoidable phenomena in today’s world. Thailand will continue to drive justice system reforms, making justice a public service and people-centered justice, which aligns with OECD standards and strengthens public confidence through cooperation with domestic and international network partners such as OECD and The World Justice Project (WJP). Furthermore, Thailand has assigned the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC), the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), and the King Prajadhipok’s Institute as the main coordinating agencies (National Focal Point) to work with OECD, particularly with the OECD Public Governance Directorate.
Furthermore, Professor Dr. Kittipong Kittayarak, Chairman of TIJ, participated in a lecture on the topic “Redesigning Justice Services to Put People at the Centre” on November 14, 2025, during the same meeting, discussing the design of people-centered justice services by sharing three lessons learned from past experiences as follows:
1. Designing accessible justice must start from people’s needs, which must begin with listening and empathy as the starting point of successful reform. 2. Reform must be co-designed because “communities are not merely components, but the foundation of justice.” When justice is built through people’s cooperation, justice becomes more credible and sustainable.3. System reform can be achieved by changing attitudes and creating ownership of justice. The TIJ Chairman also pointed out that understanding people, working together, and cultivating people’s understanding to design justice systems reflects the core concept of OECD recommendations for access to justice that when justice becomes ordinary, accessible, and equal, justice does not merely play a role in resolving conflicts, but leads to an inclusive society that builds confidence and prosperity. Justice is therefore both a state service and a public good for the peace of the people.
Additionally, Dr. Ms. Soadyen, Director of TIJ, also presented on the topic “Investing in Justice,” emphasizing the cooperation between TIJ and OECD in conducting a study project on the economic costs arising from crime and justice processes in Thailand, helping Thailand have clearer goals in investing to build the rule of law. Recognizing that unjust justice processes impact people, particularly in terms of life costs, which can be valued at up to 972 billion baht or 5.6% of the country’s GDP, and pointing out that investing in people-centered justice processes that focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment of offenders is an important approach that will help society develop sustainably.
Furthermore, this meeting marks the beginning of Thailand’s proposal to host the OECD Global Roundtable on Equal Access to Justice 2027. Thailand’s proposal to host the meeting in 2027 demonstrates Thailand’s commitment and intention to reform justice processes to be transparent, modern, and easily accessible to the public. It also demonstrates readiness for the membership process through legal framework development. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been assigned to prepare a letter of intent to host the OECD Global Roundtable on Equal Access to Justice 2027 for delivery to the OECD Secretary-General on December 8, 2025, and the Ministry of Justice, including the Thailand Institute of Justice, is responsible for proposing Thailand as the host for the OECD Global Roundtable on Equal Access to Justice 2027, emphasizing the participation of the private sector and civil society in the meeting.
Source: Thailand Institute of Justice. (2568). TIJ joins Deputy Prime Minister’s delegation at OECD Global Roundtable on Equal Access to Justice in Madrid, Spain, aiming to promote Thailand’s rule of law elevation for OECD membership. Available at https://www.tijthailand.org/what-we-do/detail/oecd-global-roundtable-on-equal-access-to-justice-2025
Royal Thai Embassy in Madrid. (2568). Deputy Prime Minister and delegation participate in OECD Global Roundtable on Equal Access to Justice. Available at https://madrid.thaiembassy.org/th/content/oecd-global-roundtable-madrid-nov-2025-th?cate=5d7ce71215e39c3e04000537
Office of the Secretary to the Prime Minister. (2568). Ministry of Justice participates in the 10th OECD Global Roundtable on Equal Access to Justice in Madrid, Kingdom of Spain. Available at https://www.thaigov.go.th/th/news/102271
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Mr. Bowornsak Uwanno). (2025). Memorandum from Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to Secretary-General of the Cabinet regarding Report on Participation in OECD Global Roundtable on Equal Access to Justice 2025. Available at https://resolution.soc.go.th/PDF_UPLOAD/2568/P_414811_6.pdf
Images: Royal Thai Embassy in Madrid, Thailand Institute of Justice