ASEANEWS: Business | BANGKOK: NACC and OECD Advance Thailand’s Journey Towards OECD Anti-Bribery Standards

The Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), in collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Government of the United Kingdom, hosted a high-level seminar entitled “Promoting Robust Legislation and Clean Business: Thailand’s Journey Toward OECD Anti-Bribery Standards” on 6 August, at The Athenee Hotel, Bangkok.

The seminar served as a platform to enhance understanding of the OECD’s anti-bribery standards while demonstrating the strong commitment of all sectors in Thailand to strengthening the country’s legal framework and anti-bribery measures in line with international standards.

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The opening ceremony was officiated by Professor Phattarasak Vannasaeng, NACC Commissioner, who highlighted Thailand’s commitment and progress towards becoming a party to the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions. He emphasised Thailand’s ongoing efforts to amend its legislation on the offence of bribery and corporate liability relating to bribery in order to improve its effectiveness and ensure closer alignment with OECD principles.

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The opening remarks were also delivered by Julia Fromholz, Head of the Anti-Corruption Division, Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs, OECD, and Nabila Suria, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). The speakers underscored the importance of strengthening Thailand’s legal framework and anti-bribery measures in accordance with international standards to effectively address bribery, which remains a major obstacle to trade and investment.

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The keynote session highlighted the vision of Thailand’s legislative branch, whose role is instrumental in advancing legal reforms and supporting the country’s accession to the OECD. The session featured Nirat Yoopakdee, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, who delivered a keynote address entitled “The Legislative Drive in Advancing Thailand’s Progress: The Role of Parliament in OECD Accession.” It was followed by a keynote presentation by Arsphol Suntraiphop, Chairperson of the Committee on Anti-Corruption, the House of Representatives, entitled “Decoding Thailand’s Future: Opportunities and Challenges on the Journey Towards OECD”.

Participants also gained valuable insights into the OECD accession process, as well as in-depth perspectives on legislative reform and law enforcement from representatives of the OECD and experts from Romania and Australia, both parties to the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention.

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The seminar concluded with a panel discussion entitled “Driving Thailand’s Clean Business through OECD Standards: Perspectives from the Private Sector”. The discussion featured representatives from the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB), the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand (JFCCT), and the Thai Private Sector Collective Action Against Corruption (CAC). The panelists emphasised that the OECD Anti-Bribery Standards would serve as a key mechanism for enhancing foreign investor confidence, fostering a business environment grounded in integrity and good governance, and strengthening the global competitiveness of Thailand’s private sector.

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The seminar marked another significant milestone in Thailand’s commitment to strengthening its anti-corruption and anti-bribery framework in accordance with international standards. Close collaboration among government agencies, the private sector, international organisations, and other stakeholders will not only contribute to more effective legal reforms but will also play a vital role in fostering a transparent business ecosystem, enhancing investor confidence, and reinforcing Thailand’s long-term competitiveness in the global economy.

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