PACC Secretary-General Phumvisarn met with Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Pradorn to discuss Thailand's move toward OECD membership. They plan to consult the Ministry of Commerce soon and hope all parties will unite to clean up hidden corruption, enhance transparency, and attract investors and businesspeople.
At 10:40 a.m. on 24 Aug 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Phumvisarn Kasemsuk, Secretary-General of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), spoke at the Government House after meeting with Mr. Pradorn Prissanantakul, Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, saying the discussion concerned Thailand's entry into the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). He explained that OECD membership acts like a magnifying glass—small details that are unclear become visible, encouraging investors to invest.
Therefore, the OECD serves as a magnifier for investors and entrepreneurs, showing that Thailand is worth investing in. Approval procedures that were once numerous have been reduced. Previously, loopholes existed that allowed for illicit gains, but these have now been sealed. He expects that after talks with the Ministry of Commerce, progress will be tangible within 1-2 months.
Regarding questions about OECD's emphasis on licensing and approvals, the PACC Secretary-General said OECD mainly focuses on transparency. When asked if current domestic problems hinder OECD membership or if addressing these issues is an opportunity to increase chances, he said it is an opportunity. Without turning crisis into opportunity, no progress can be made. He added that if one does not lift the carpet, the dust underneath remains unseen. The government has lifted the carpet and seen the dust; now it must clean it. Once cleaned, the carpet can be laid down clean again.
Mr. Phumvisarn also said all agencies must cooperate and not see the problem as belonging to any single person. If everyone works together to address even one process—like an ISO standard with the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC) as a benchmark—and if businesses and investors, both Thai and foreign, are asked, they would agree. In the past, there were 15 procedures, but this government has reduced them to only 4, which has been successful.
Therefore, this illustrates how the OECD acts as a magnifying glass, making everything clearer. When everyone understands, they realize the situation, which promotes transparency and ethics. This will enhance the country's overall image and attract business investment. This is a key mission that PACC undertakes under government policy.