Arya News - Thailand is preparing three legal reforms on foreign bribery, corporate liability and tax deductions for bribes to advance its OECD application.
BANGKOK – Thailand has asked the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to help accelerate its accession process, with three anti-bribery legal reforms still being prepared as the country pursues membership by 2028.
Thai officials requested particular help in speeding up accession to the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, which Thailand must join before the Working Group on Bribery in International Business Transactions can conduct its technical review. The group is one of 25 OECD bodies assessing the country’s accession.
The country has already applied for membership, and technical reviews are under way. Thai agencies are answering questionnaires and taking part in in-depth interviews with OECD Secretariat officials visiting Thailand.
Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), and NESDC officials discussed accession preparations with OECD Deputy Secretary-General Frantisek Ruzicka and his delegation.
Ruzicka was visiting Thailand for the 29th labour ministers’ meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), hosted by Thailand.
Three legal changes under preparation
The Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and other relevant agencies are preparing three legal and regulatory measures:
Amendments to provisions on the offence of bribing foreign public officials, being prepared by the NACC. Amendments to provisions governing the liability of legal entities involved in bribery, also under the NACC’s responsibility. Legislation prohibiting bribe payments from being treated as tax-deductible expenses, under the Revenue Department’s responsibility. Bringing the three measures into line with the convention may take time because legislative amendments involve numerous procedural steps.
Technical reviews and agency support
Ruzicka said Thailand’s clear membership target would help it accelerate work and monitor progress more effectively. OECD member countries had responded positively to Thailand’s accession process, which he described as an encouraging sign for the overall effort.
He cautioned that the technical review was complex and one of the most challenging stages of accession. Thailand should communicate widely and involve all sectors to build public awareness and an accurate understanding of the process, he said.
Ruzicka also suggested seconding Thai officials to OECD headquarters to learn how the organisation works and develop closer working relationships. He said the OECD was ready to support Thailand and work as a partner throughout accession.
Danucha said all participating Thai agencies were committed to the work and ready to cooperate with the OECD on related activities.
He thanked the OECD Secretariat for helping Thai agencies through the technical reviews and Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom and France for supporting capacity-building activities. That assistance would be important in helping Thailand reach its 2028 membership goal, he said.
Investment, digital policy and worker protection
The talks also covered six areas in which Thailand is requesting capacity-building support for its agencies from the OECD and its member countries:
Anti-bribery. Investment policy and responsible business conduct. Human capital development and education. Sustainability and the green transition. Artificial intelligence and the digital transition. Social inclusion. The OECD and its members expressed willingness to support these activities, particularly social inclusion, a shared priority with ASEAN countries.
Danucha said Thailand was prioritising vulnerable informal workers, including food-delivery workers and gig workers, by building social safety nets to give them greater security and protection in the Thai economy.
Ruzicka recommended drawing on advice and assistance from OECD members to improve Thailand’s policies for informal workers and strengthen cooperation. He pointed to Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada and Poland as countries with relevant policies and good practices.
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