On 16 March 2026, Mr. Sumit Kesawapitak, Director of the Division of Regional and Local Administration Development, and Ms. Kanokporn Sriwitaya, Public Sector Development Expert, together with OPDC officials, held a consultation with the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to explore approaches for incorporating initiatives into Thailand’s National Action Plan (NAP) under the Open Government Partnership (OGP). The discussion was held with Ms. Warida Tanboonek, Director of the Bureau of Academic Affairs and Anti-Corruption Participation Development, NACC, and her team. Key points from the discussion are summarized as follows:
1. Empowering STRONG Project
– The STRONG project serves as a key mechanism to promote citizen participation in anti-corruption efforts. It focuses on building civic networks and fostering collaboration among government agencies, academia, and civil society nationwide. The initiative aims to strengthen integrity awareness, enhance citizens’ capacity to monitor and report corruption, and systematically reflect local issues.
– This approach empowers communities to play an active role in monitoring and addressing corruption at the local level, ultimately leading to a sustainable society of transparency and good governance.
2. Whistleblower Protection Measures
– Overall, NACC continues to advance anti-corruption efforts by prioritizing public participation alongside the enhancement of legal frameworks and institutional support. This includes whistleblower protection under the Organic Act B.E. 2561 and Anti-SLAPP measures, aimed at building public confidence to expose and participate in monitoring corruption.
– Additionally, anti-corruption education is promoted through educational curricula, and the NACC Fund has been established to support civil society initiatives in preventing corruption, attracting significant interest and numerous proposals each year.
Next Step: OPDC, in collaboration with NACC, will further develop the NAP under the anti-corruption theme to advance Open Government in accordance with OGP standards.
