Bangkok: A ceremony was held by the Prime Minister’s Office to present the “Outstanding Government Information Center Award 2025,” aiming to enhance transparency in government information disclosure. Deputy Prime Minister Sophon Saram presided over the event, which was attended by Ms. Yupa Taweewattanakitbaworn, Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office, along with executives and staff from the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister and representatives from 98 other agencies.
According to Thai News Agency, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to prioritizing official information and supporting the public’s right to access information, as outlined in the Official Information Act. This is instrumental in fostering public participation in administration and achieving constitutional goals while adhering to good governance principles. Compliance with the Official Information Act is vital for facilitating public access to information.
Government agencies are mandated to disclose operational information as per Articles 7 and 9, without necessitating public requests. The disclosure process is to be handled case-by-case, considering agency authority, public interest, and private rights, with the aim of transparent and accountable public administration. This approach is intended to encourage public participation in governance in the digital age, enabling citizens to utilize public information for their benefit.
In total, 98 agencies were recognized with the award for 2026. The “Excellent level (Gold Shield)” was awarded to 12 agencies, including the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority, among others. The “Excellent level (Silver Shield)” was awarded to 16 agencies, including central government bodies like the Cabinet Secretariat and two state enterprises. The “Good level (Bronze Shield)” was awarded to 21 agencies, including the Customs Department and Nonthaburi City Municipality. The “Standard level (Transparent Shield)” recognized 49 organizations, such as the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Nan Sophon highlighted that the government expects all agencies to make official information more accessible and comprehensive, utilizing government information centers, websites, or digital formats to facilitate public access effectively.