BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand is accelerating preparations for membership in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), shortening its target accession timeline from five years to three. The revised timetable places greater urgency on improving public sector integrity, enforcing anti-corruption laws, and aligning government administration with international standards.
Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office Paradorn Prissananantakul met with Polish government officials and OECD representatives in Nonthaburi today (Oct 21). He also launched a two-day workshop organized by the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), attended by Thai officials and international experts. The event centered on practical training, knowledge sharing, and improving anti-corruption practices through international cooperation.
Paradorn identified enforcing existing laws as a major challenge for Thailand’s anti-corruption efforts. He explained that while the country’s legal framework is relatively well established, its implementation remains inadequate. He then called for closer coordination among government agencies, more effective enforcement mechanisms, and greater awareness of integrity standards among public officials.
Under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s administration, the shorter accession timetable requires government agencies to accelerate their preparations. However, Paradorn stressed that meaningful reforms and effective enforcement are more important than the speed of accession. Cooperation with Poland and the OECD is expected to help Thailand improve public administration and develop the institutional capabilities needed to meet international governance standards over the long term. (NNT)
