NACC leverages the OECD standards to dismantle corruption
For Thailand, the OECD “badge” may be only one outcome. But, the NACC sees the potential gains could impact further. The larger goal is a country with stronger institutions, greater public trust and, ultimately, a better quality of life and well-being for its people.
To complete accession to full OECD membership by 2028, the National Anti-Corruption Commission says it is stepping up efforts to tackle corruption and bribery.
Deputy Secretary-General of the NACC, Kiatisakdi Putphan explained that Thailand’s persistent corruption is not simply a lack of laws or enforcement, but a deeper structural, institutional and cultural problem.
“Thailand’s corruption problem is deeply rooted in power structures, discretionary authority, social norms and weak or slow enforcement, meaning legal reform alone may not be enough,” Deputy Secretary-General of the NACC said.
Tackling corruption and improving governance could be crucial to strengthening investor confidence and Thailand’s longer-term economic competitiveness.
OECD membership could be one way, but the ultimate goal is beyond a better economy and the nation’s well-being.
It is also a catalyst for broader structural reforms, from governance and transparency to the country’s institutions and policies.
NACC plays a major role to strengthen the governmental agencies, pushing legal frameworks to combat corruption and bribery, both within the country and among foreign organizations.
Kiatisakdi stated that the National Anti-corruption Commission plays a direct role in representing the country in its efforts to promote government transparency and combat corruption to align with OECD anti-corruption standards and secure entry into the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, which is a mandatory prerequisite for full OECD membership
“The NACC is involved in developing strategies aligned with OECD membership, identifying gaps in laws and practices, coordinating with relevant agencies to improve laws and measures for both enforcement and corruption prevention, strengthening law enforcement capacity, and building cooperation with the private sector and civil society,” Kiatisakdi stated.
Thailand submitted its formal request to apply for OECD membership in 2024.
For the NACC, OECD membership may not be the only end goal. The real goal is using the accession process to drive meaningful reform, creating a more transparent government, stronger law enforcement, fairer competition and greater public confidence, while making Thailand more attractive to foreign investors.
The process, however, is not simply about economic growth or becoming a member of a group of developed economies. It also requires Thailand to align its laws, policies and institutions with OECD standards, including in areas such as anti-corruption, anti-bribery, and public governance. The NACC must play a key role in implementing international standards in practices in Thailand.
“Bribery and corruption, whether domestic or involving foreign companies, are hidden costs that investors in developed OECD member countries will not tolerate,” Kiatisakdi stressed.
Kiatisakdi adds that tackling corruption requires major reforms across the public sector, reducing official discretion and using technology to improve transparency and accountability. Under OECD standards, Open Data and Open government are some of the significant areas of assessments for the accession process.
Open Data and Open Government are key tools in preventing corruption. They reduce the information gap between the government and the public and allow greater scrutiny before corruption occurs, rather than waiting to act after the damage is done.
“OECD members may also point out that Thailand still discloses too little information or falls short of international standards. The key is to ensure that people can access and use information to scrutinize government activities, public spending and the work of state officials,” he said.
The NACC has worked with the OECD Working Group on Bribery, overseeing and exchanging experiences on the implementation of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, including international standard guidelines to help businesses strengthen anti-bribery measures.
“Under the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, the NACC would also push for stronger measures against cross-border corruption, from prosecuting individuals and companies to recovering assets and bringing fugitives back to face justice,” he noted.
The NACC points out that Thailand cannot hope to join the ranks of developed nations if this structural imbalance persists. OECD standards require member states to implement fair and equitable tax measures to ensure national resources are distributed equitably, tax collection is highly efficient, and the state can secure adequate revenue to manage the country and support public welfare
“I believe taxation is also a key. One OECD requirement that is particularly important is preventing income derived from corruption from being used for tax deductions or other tax benefits. We are discussing this with the relevant agencies, and the government should move forward with the necessary reforms. This is an important measure,”
Meanwhile, Thailand's economy grew 1.9% in the second quarter of 2026, slowing from the previous quarter as weaker domestic consumption and tourism weighed on growth, according to the National Economic and Social Development council.
Thailand scored 33 out of 100 and ranked 116th out of 182 countries and territories in Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index. Meanwhile, the country is reviewing over 3,700 regional government offices as part of a wider overhaul, aiming to support the country’s bid to join the OECD by 2028.
Kiatisakdi emphasizes that Thailand’s pursuit of OECD membership is not simply about economic figures or gaining “recognition” on the global stage, but also marks one crucial step for the national strategy, with the pursuit of OECD membership ultimately aimed at delivering a better quality of life and greater well-being for the people.
