Bangkok: The Prime Minister has appointed a team at the Ministry of Interior to move forward with Thailand's membership in the OECD, strengthening the capacity of its economic mechanisms. Mr. Arsit Sampanrat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, revealed that Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul has signed an order appointing the "Steering Committee and Sub-Committees for Driving Thailand's Membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) of the Ministry of Interior." The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior serves as the chairman of the committee, along with representatives from relevant government agencies and state enterprises. The main objective is to collectively push Thailand towards membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an international organization whose primary objective is to promote economic growth, sustainable development, and improve the quality of life for its citizens through cooperation on economic, social, environmental, and governance policies among member states.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Arsit stated that the mechanism of the committee was established to support the preparation and push for Thailand's membership in the OECD by 2028, as stated in the government's policy statement. The committee will be responsible for functions ranging from policy formulation and overall planning to amending Thai laws and regulations to align with international standards, as well as coordinating international efforts to garner support and build good relationships with member countries.
"Joining the OECD is a key priority for the government, as it is a crucial mechanism for driving reforms and upgrading the country in many dimensions, including the economy, law, regulations, governance, investment, competition, innovation, environment, and public sector efficiency, in line with international standards. This will help boost investor confidence, increase national competitiveness, reduce geographical disparities, strengthen the potential and competitiveness of cities, regions, and rural areas of member countries, ultimately leading to a sustainable improvement in the quality of life for citizens," Mr. Arsit added.
He further explained that, in the past, the Ministry of Interior has played a proactive role in working with the Regional Development Policy Committee (RDPC) continuously, both in terms of knowledge exchange, monitoring policy developments, and participating in various levels of meetings. This is one of the sub-mechanisms of the OECD, aimed at enhancing Thailand's competitiveness, elevating the standards of the country's industries and services to an international level, and driving science, research, and innovation diplomacy to build confidence and propel Thailand into key global supply chains. It also aims to promote the creative economy and Thai image internationally, ultimately strengthening economic and social stability and sustainably improving the quality of life for the people.