Pakorn announced Thailand’s firm commitment to joining the OECD, revealing that Thailand has incorporated digital systems into its legal framework to facilitate easier public access, with laws reviewed every five years to keep pace with global contexts. Tags: [OECD membership, digital legal system, Thailand government, legal reform, public access]
On 22 Oct 2026 GMT+7, Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt led the Thai delegation to participate in the meeting on Equal Access to Justice organized by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. He also held bilateral meetings with senior OECD officials and justice ministers from Turkey and Spain to emphasize Thailand’s commitment to OECD membership and to promote policies for administrative and justice system reforms in Thailand.Tags: [OECD meeting, Thailand delegation, justice reform, bilateral talks, Turkey]
Pakorn delivered a keynote address on the topicTags: [keynote address, speech] “Justice and Creating a Business Environment: Reducing Compliance Costs to Support Small Entrepreneurs.”Tags: [justice, business environment, compliance costs, small entrepreneurs] He said that on behalf of the Thai government, it was a great honor to participate in the meeting and share Thailand’s experiences. Currently, Thailand is in the process of joining the OECD.Tags: [Thai government, OECD accession, international cooperation]
He noted this process offers a valuable opportunity for Thailand to drive national structural reforms, particularly promoting equal access to justice. The justice we seek is “practical justice realized in practice, not merely justice existing on paper.”Tags: [structural reform, access to justice, practical justice]
Pakorn stated that today’s exchange demonstrated that justice does not only mean delivering justice to parties in courtrooms but also accelerating the government’s ability to provide public services efficiently and effectively. Justice also builds certainty, trust, and confidence, which are essential foundations for sustainable economic and social development.Tags: [justice, public services, trust, sustainable development]
He explained that court rulings play a crucial role in prompting the government to establish clear, reliable regulations that ensure fairness between large businesses and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). These rulings also encourage the government to promote the rule of law, restructure organizations, and redesign work processes to reduce costs and burdens on businesses in line with rapidly changing contexts.Tags: [court rulings, regulation, SMEs, rule of law, organizational reform]
Furthermore, justice reflects that when the government applies digital technology in public services, citizens and businesses benefit. This approach not only reduces costs and burdens for the public and businesses but also increases productivity and the overall competitiveness of the country.Tags: [digital technology, public service, productivity, competitiveness]
Pakorn said that in Thailand, the government has used court rulings to promote digital and open government policies. Citizens can easily access laws and government information free of charge via the internet. All laws must be reviewed at least every five years, or sooner if appropriate, to ensure they remain aligned with changing contexts.Tags: [digital government, open government, legal review, public access]
Moreover, before drafting laws, Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) must be conducted, and public consultations held. Additionally, data from all government agencies must be in machine-readable formats, publicly disclosed, and interconnected under a unified standard. This enables advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help the government provide accurate, convenient, and low-cost services to citizens and businesses.Tags: [RIA, public consultation, government data, AI, digital transformation]
He added that Thailand believes digital transformation can enhance access to justice for all. The Electronic Court System (E-Court), introduced since 2014, has significantly reduced administrative and litigation costs for parties. Citizens and SMEs can file cases themselves via E-Court and receive timely justice. The number of cases filed electronically has risen significantly each year compared to traditional methods.Tags: [E-Court, digital justice, cost reduction, access to justice]
Pakorn also said traditional court procedures have been continuously improved to reduce unnecessary costs and burdens for the public and businesses. Thailand also promotes alternative dispute resolution, especially mediation and out-of-court settlement, to lessen official litigation burdens for citizens and SMEs. The government has established mediation and dispute resolution offices nationwide.Tags: [court reform, alternative dispute resolution, mediation, SMEs]
Pakorn concluded that Thailand is currently in the process of joining the OECD and firmly believes justice is a key component in building trust and confidence, essential for inclusive and sustainable growth and citizens’ well-being. Therefore, Thailand is committed to further reforms to enhance the justice system, reduce obstacles and bureaucratic red tape, and support all population groups.Tags: [OECD accession, justice reform, inclusive growth, bureaucratic reform]
