On 19 August 2026, H.E. Mr. Sarun Charoensuwan, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, attended a meeting with the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs to update on Thailand’s accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The meeting was chaired by Mr. Chavaphon Wattanavekin, First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

The Vice Minister, together with a representative of the Office of the Council of State, as the principal coordinating agency for the accession process, briefed the Committee on the latest developments. Thailand is currently undergoing technical reviews by 25 OECD Committees, which assess the alignment of Thailand’s laws, policies and practices with OECD standards. The Vice Minister also underscored the important role of the Senate and the legislative branch in supporting necessary legal reforms, promoting public understanding, and strengthening engagement with parliamentarians from OECD member countries through the OECD Global Parliamentary Network.

The Committee reaffirmed its support for Thailand’s OECD accession process. It has established a Sub-Committee on Consideration and Monitoring of Thailand’s OECD Accession to closely study and follow relevant issues, while also placing emphasis on public outreach and raising awareness of the benefits and implications of OECD membership.

Thailand’s OECD accession is a national agenda, with the Government aiming to achieve membership by 2028. The accession process also provides an important opportunity to raise national standards and advance domestic reforms, with a view to strengthening Thailand’s competitiveness, governance, business environment and long-term confidence in the country.