Fair Now or Never!
TIJ hosted the Thailand Rule of Law Fair 2025 to elevate Thailand’s Rule of Law for Sustainable Growth through innovative and interactive activities.
To advance Thailand’s rule of law, the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), in collaboration with the World Justice Project and The Standard, hosted the Thailand Rule of Law Fair 2025 under the theme "Investing in the Rule of Law for a Sustainable Future.” The event took place on February 7-8, 2025, 9.30 AM to 4:30 PM ICT at TIJ Common Ground, TIJ Headquarters on Chaeng Watthana Road in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Thailand Rule of Law Fair 2025 aimed to foster dialogue, share insights, and analyze challenges related to the rule of law, emphasizing its deep structural connection to Thailand’s development. The fair featured more than 30 sessions of innovative and interactive activities that ensure broader access to legal frameworks while bringing together dedicated professionals and advocates working toward real social justice in Thailand.
According to the Rule of Law Index 2024 by the World Justice Project, Thailand scored 0.50 out of 1.00, ranking 78th out of 142 countries worldwide. This score is below the global average of 0.55 and the Asia-Pacific average of 0.59. Thailand scored lower than the global benchmark in seven out of eight key indicators, including constraints on government powers, transparency, absence of corruption, fundamental rights, law enforcement, and civil and criminal justice systems.
Moreover, enhancing the rule of law now is critical more than ever to Thailand’s global competitiveness, especially as the country has entered accession discussions with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in June 2024. To align with OECD standards, Thailand must improve governance, transparency, responsible business conduct, fair trade competition, education, labor policies, regional development, environmental sustainability, and digital transformation. The Fair provides a key platform to address these issues and align Thailand’s development with international best practices.
In order to advance and identify effective and comprehensive strategies for addressing these challenges, the Thailand Rule of Law Fair 2025 was launched with the support of the TIJ networks, encompassing governmental entities, enterprises, and civil society organizations. The event featured keynote speeches by government officials, business leaders, and global experts, including:
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thailand’s Prime Minister, emphasized Thailand’s commitment to strengthening the rule of law to boost global competitiveness. She stated that “The rule of law is not merely a guideline for governing the country; it is also a vital tool that connects economic and social progress. True development must be based on transparency, accountability, and participation from all sectors.” She added, “Thailand remains committed to developing the rule of law in accordance with international standards, we are dedicated to building trust in institutions by collaborating with civil society and international organizations, such as the OECD and the World Justice Project (WJP), to elevate standards across all dimensions. Investing in the rule of law is not just the responsibility of the government, but a shared mission of all of us.”
Chanakarn Theeravechapolkul, the President of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, highlighted the importance of collective action in upholding justice. Ms. Chanakarn stated that “The role of upholding and promoting the rule of law is not solely the duty of the Court of Justice or judges, but also depends upon cooperation between civil society, the government, and all organizations, who must all foster a society committed to justice. Fair adjudication of cases is meaningless if decisions are not adhered to or enforced. Therefore, enforcement in both civil and criminal cases is crucial for upholding the rule of law and preventing it from being undermined or doubted, and preventing society from harboring doubts about the rule of law.”
Pol. Col. Tawee Sodsong, Thailand’s Minister of Justice stated that, "This event may reach a conclusion regarding the preservation of the rule of law to ensure that justice is equitably accessible to all citizens. From this principle, it can be inferred that the various challenges facing the nation—such as poverty, drug abuse, corruption, and others—may merely be symptoms, while the root cause may lie in a lack of democracy. Furthermore, it was stated that the role of the Ministry of Justice and the government is to enforce laws that are consistent with the rule of law and do not violate human dignity. The issue of crime remains a significant challenge that this discussion aims to address, particularly concerning the excessive use of criminal law, which may unduly restrict citizens' rights and freedoms. Additionally, emphasis was placed on the fair and equitable enforcement of laws."
Dr. Tatyana Teplova, Head of Division, Global Partnerships, Inclusion and Justice, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), stated that “the rule of law is foundational to the functioning of any democratic society and a core requirement for OECD membership. It strengthens governance legitimacy, fosters accountability, and builds public trust in institutions.”
Dr. Tatyana said that OECD understands that Thailand prioritizes rule of law and justice reforms, as this conference shows. Thai economy and society pay high prices for justice inefficiency. A recent OECD research predicted crime and criminal justice system expenses at THB 973 billion in 2022—5.6% of Thailand's GDP. Furthermore, as Thailand begins the membership procedure with the OECD, the OECD is prepared to support Thailand in furthering justice and rule of law reforms through policy advice, best practices, and networks.
While Dr. Alejandro Ponce, Executive Director, The World Justice Project (WJP) delivered a keynote speech that “This is a unique opportunity for Thailand to strengthen its institutions and build a fairer, more just society. To achieve this, Thailand required leaders to commit to uphold the rule of law and adopt a people-centered approach, and to collaborate among government, businesses, and civil society to push for reforms.”
Dr. Alejandro further elaborated that the rule of law is essential for both individuals and society. It helps create safe communities, strong economies, and equal opportunities for all. For the economy, when laws are clear and fair, businesses feel confident to invest, corruption decrease, and resources are used more efficiently. A strong legal system also helps small businesses grow and transition to the formal economy. And for society, it ensures that everyone has access to justice, education, healthcare, and financial services. It prevents a small group of elites from controlling resources and ensures that policies benefit society.
Ms. Niamh Collier-Smith, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) also delivered keynote speeches that “the rule of law is not just about policies or institutions—it is about people, about ensuring that justice and human rights are not privileges for the few but fundamental rights for all.”
The UNDP representative addressed the rule of law situation in Thailand that although the World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index shows Thailand's improvement in the respect of the law over last year. In example, the Marriage Equality Act and the Prevention and Suppression of Enforced Disappearance Act are two important laws passed to guard human rights. And Thailand's recent UN Human Rights Council membership offers another chance to deepen the rule of law. Still, there are obstacles to overcome including combating corruption, strengthening the criminal justice system, improving government openness, advancing women's rights and equality, and protecting the liberties and rights of civil society players including journalists and human rights advocates—who still run risks from the abuse of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). These problems compromise the government's legitimacy as well as the nation's competitiveness.
Nevertheless, Thailand's candidacy for OECD membership acts as a spur for ongoing rule of law preservation. In this regard, the organizing of this event offers a great chance to intensify these initiatives.
Pathway to a Sustainable Future
The event also hosted panel discussions on topics such as constitutional and legal reform, government transparency, environmental justice, legal innovation, youth engagement, and digital governance. Additional activities include film screenings, exhibitions, and a justice-focused networking marketplace to make legal principles more tangible and engaging for the public.
Dr. Phiset Sa-ardyen, Executive Director of TIJ, emphasized that the Thailand Rule of Law Fair is a crucial step toward strengthening Thailand’s legal ecosystem, which is fundamental for economic growth, investor confidence, and social stability. "We must act now to build a credible government, foster public trust, and create an environment conducive to investment and business growth, both locally and internationally," he stated.
This initiative marks a pivotal moment in shaping a more transparent, accountable, and competitive Thailand, paving the way for a sustainable and prosperous future.
