Thailand aims for OECD membership by 2030
Thai Trot to OECD's Ranks: Here's the Lowdown
The Land of Smiles is galloping ahead, setting its sights on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) by 2030. The goal? To align Thai policy frameworks with worldwide standards, grab more investments, and amplify its voice at international economic powwows.
Yesterday, the 2025 OECD Southeast Asia Regional Forum brought global leaders to Bangkok - an alliance between the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the OECD, aiming to shore up ties between OECD member states and Southeast Asian countries.
Established in 1960 with 20 founding members, the OECD has expanded to 38 members today. The additional crew? Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Peru, Romania, Thailand, Indonesia, and more, who are currently in various stages of membership talks.
First on the ASEAN dancefloor for the OECD? Thailand and Indonesia, the region's big kahunas.
The "OECD Membership -- The Journey and the Destination" confab saw Chutinthorn Gongsakdi, the Secretary to the Foreign Affairs Minister, announce the establishment of a steering committee for OECD accession in March. The aim? To have Thailand become a full OECD member by 2030.
"It's a marathon worth running," he said. "Although it may take up to seven years, we will gain immense value from the journey, aligning with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals."
Thailand's on the drawing board for a "Preliminary Memorandum", a self-evaluation of the country's legal, policy, and regulatory alignment with OECD instruments. Soon, it'll be handed over to the OECD's tech crew for a thorough review. The accession process will progress to a more in-depth evaluation phase covering various policy areas, ultimately resulting in an official decision by the OECD Council.
Priorities for Thailand's OECD collaboration include anti-corruption practices, encouraging foreign investment, responsible business conduct, green transition strategies, Artificial Intelligence, digital economy development, and policies for aging populations.
Thailand promises to strengthen ties with the OECD on shared democratic values, legal transparency, and an open economy. The nation hopes joining the OECD will help align national laws and policies with global standards, boost investment in OECD countries, and amplify Thailand’s voice on the global economic stage. As Thailand envisions becoming a high-income country by 2037, the OECD’s expertise will be crucial.
What does the OECD think of Thailand's aspirations? Gita Kothari, OECD Accession Coordinator, applauded Thailand's ambitious target, saying it would boost momentum. She expects the tech review phase for Thailand to commence in December once the preliminary memorandum is submitted.
Joining the OECD requires alignment with international standards across various policy areas, including governance, business practices, tax systems, administrative capacity, and social indicators. In this multi-phased, rigorous evaluation process, Thailand stands neck- deep in a 26-committee review, covering topics like trade, environmental protection, and anti-corruption measures.
It's no walk in the park for Thailand, but they're willing to face the challenge. The journey to global economic prestige calls for law reforms, strengthened institutions, and a boatload of work to impress the OECD Council. Will Thailand earn a spot at the international table in 2030? Time will tell.
- In order to enhance its business environment and international standing, Thailand is actively pursuing OECD membership by 2030, particularly focusing on strengthening governance and finance.
- At the 2025 OECD Southeast Asia Regional Forum held in Bangkok, Chutinthorn Gongsakdi, Secretary to the Foreign Affairs Minister, revealed the formation of a steering committee for OECD accession, aiming to ensure Thailand's alignment with 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
- During the accession process, Thailand will work towards improving its anti-corruption practices, encouraging foreign investment, responsible business conduct, green transition strategies, Artificial Intelligence, digital economy development, and policies for aging populations, as priority areas for collaboration with the OECD.
