{"id":9400,"date":"2026-08-25T23:00:36","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T16:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thailandpolicylab.com\/?p=9400"},"modified":"2026-08-25T23:00:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T16:00:40","slug":"thailand-spotlights-public-service-transformation-for-effective-transparent-and-people-centred-governance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thailandpolicylab.com\/en\/thailand-spotlights-public-service-transformation-for-effective-transparent-and-people-centred-governance\/","title":{"rendered":"Thailand Spotlights Public Service Transformation for effective, transparent and people-centred governance."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Bangkok, Thailand \u2013 18 August 2026<\/strong> \u2013 The NESDC-UNDP Thailand Policy Lab, in collaboration with the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), shone a spotlight today on how Thailand can strengthen the quality and people-centredness of its public services. The high-level, two-day learning programme brings together good practices and standards from OECD countries, comparative experience and Thailand’s own reform priorities to support the country’s public service transformation agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the centre of the programme is the OECD<\/strong> Recommendation on Human-Centred Public Administrative Services<\/strong>, an international framework for improving how governments design and deliver services around people\u2019s needs, rights and experiences. It provides four areas for action: setting a whole-of-government vision for human-centred services; strengthening the institutions, skills and digital foundations needed to deliver quality services; making services more seamless, accessible and inclusive; and using data, public feedback and continuous learning to measure performance and improve services over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Over 70 participants, including parliamentarians, senior government executives and policy practitioners, are set to participate in the programme, powered by the Thailand Policy Lab, which brings together the international practices and experience with national leadership and expertise<\/strong> of OECD, UNDP, OPDC and Thailand Policy Lab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the workshop, for example, UNDP will introduce the Future-Ready Governance Index (FRGI)<\/em> designed to help assess how prepared governance systems are to respond and adapt to future challenges. The Thailand Policy Lab<\/strong>, established by NESDC and UNDP with funding from the Royal Thai Government, contributes innovative and inclusive policymaking methods to help participants understand people\u2019s experiences, examine complex public service challenges and develop services that respond to their needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The programme is part of a broader collaboration between the OECD and UNDP to support governments in designing and delivering public services that are more human-centred, digital, and responsive to the needs of citizens and businesses. It combines the OECD’s analytical and benchmarking work, international standards and peer learning with UNDP’s country presence, implementation support, and capacity development programmes. The collaboration forms part of FutureGov,<\/strong> a UNDP-led coalition on public sector transformation bringing together UN entities, international financial institutions and international organisations, including the OECD and the World Bank, to move beyond fragmented interventions towards joint, country-led programming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OPDC<\/strong> convenes ministries and government agencies and helps translate knowledge and findings from this learning programme into action for public sector reform. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThailand is at a pivotal moment in its public sector reform journey. The collaboration with Thailand Policy Lab under NESDC and UNDP, together with OECD, serves as a crucial mechanism to translate international frameworks and standards into practical action across Thai ministries and agencies, ultimately delivering public services that truly address citizens\u2019 needs,\u201d<\/em> said Natta Bhachaiyud, Deputy Secretary-General of OPDC.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBetter public services begin with understanding people \u2013 what they need, where systems are not working for them, and what governments can do differently. This partnership is an opportunity to bring global knowledge and local innovation together to rethink how government serves people.<\/em> Thailand\u2019s continued investment in its public institutions, people and capabilities will be critical to turning this ambition into lasting change \u2013 with simpler, more responsive services and a government ready for the future,\u201d<\/em><\/strong> said Niamh Collier-Smith, UNDP Resident Representative in Thailand.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/em><\/strong>“Thailand’s OECD accession should be measured not only by membership, but by whether it helps us become more competitive, inclusive, sustainable and trusted. That is the standard we are holding ourselves to as we align our policies and institutions with international standards, adapt them to Thailand’s own context, and deliver outcomes that people can experience in real lives. Thailand Policy Lab has been central to these steps, helping us translate international standards into policies grounded in what people actually need,”<\/em> said Suriyon Thankijjanukij, Senior Advisor to Thailand’s Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHuman-centred public services are not a technical detail of public administration, they are how citizens and businesses experience the government every day. Designing services around people’s needs, rather than around institutional boundaries, is one of the most direct ways governments can improve trust, inclusion and competitiveness. Thailand’s commitment to this agenda, and the partnership behind this programme, are what turn international standards into improved services people can actually feel\u201d<\/em> said Simon Calewaert, senior analyst at OECD. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The capacity-building and peer-learning programme comes as Thailand advances its ambition to become a member of the OECD<\/strong>. Thailand became an OECD accession candidate in 2024, beginning a process of in-depth reviews across a wide range of policy areas and greater alignment with OECD standards and good practices. Strengthening effective, transparent, and people-centred public institutions is an important part of this broader reform journey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This two-day programme puts this opportunity into practice by connecting international standards and future-ready governance with Thailand\u2019s own reform priorities<\/strong>, strengthening the capacity of public institutions to deliver services that respond to people\u2019s needs and contribute to Thailand\u2019s long-term development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About UNDP<\/strong>: UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working in 170 countries and territories, UNDP supports nations to build integrated solutions for people and planet while advancing sustainable development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

About OECD:<\/strong> The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation that works with governments, policy makers and citizens to build evidence-based international standards and find shared solutions to global challenges. Its Public Governance Directorate supports countries in strengthening public institutions and improving how public services are designed and delivered, including through the OECD Recommendation on Human-Centred Public Administrative Services<\/a> and comparative data and peer learning across member and partner countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About NESDC:<\/strong> The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) is Thailand\u2019s central planning agency responsible for shaping the country\u2019s economic and social development. Working across government agencies and development partners, NESDC develops national strategies and policies, monitors development progress, and advances sustainable and inclusive development for people across Thailand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About OPDC:<\/strong> The Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC) is Thailand\u2019s central agency driving public sector development and better public services. Working across government agencies, OPDC supports efforts to modernize public administration, improve government efficiency, and advance people-centred public services that respond to the evolving needs of citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Thailand Policy Lab:<\/strong> Thailand Policy Lab established by the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) and UNDP, has a mission to advance more inclusive, innovative and people-centred policymaking in Thailand with funding from the Royal Government of Thailand. Working with policymakers, communities and partners, Thailand Policy Lab brings new approaches, tools and evidence into the policy process to develop solutions that respond to people\u2019s needs and emerging development challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tiffany Chen
Project Manager, Thailand Policy Lab
tiffany.chen@undp.org<\/a>

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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