In 2024, Thailand was invited to the begin the lengthy process to join the OECD as a member state.
On 8 December 2025, OECD Watch joined Thai and international non-governmental organisations in a letter to the Thai government expressing concern over the situation of the rule of law, human rights including labor rights, and environmental rights in Thailand. The letter was shared with leading Thai government officials as they submitted Thailand’s “Initial Memorandum” to the OECD asserting the country’s readiness for OECD membership, and established a Parliamentary Advisory Council to proceed with accession work.
The letter provides numerous examples illustrating how Thailand does not yet meet the OECD’s accession values and standards. The letter calls on the Thai government to undertake specific reforms to close these governance gaps. We also urge the OECD to safeguard the integrity of its values by not allowing Thailand membership unless it has meaningfully addressed the concerns highlighted.
Read the open letter here:
Letter-to-Thai-government-OECD-accession-8-Dec.-2025.pdf (5 downloads )
