A draft law aimed at streamlining business licensing procedures has received parliamentary approval, supporting Thailand's goal of joining the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
According to government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek, the new draft law on facilitating licensing procedures and public services aligns with the government's policy of revising laws and regulations to make it easier for individuals and businesses to access services and obtain approvals from state agencies.
On May 20, the House of Representatives approved the bill after amendments by the Senate were completed. The bill needs to be submitted for royal endorsement and official promulgation.
The law is expected to become a key mechanism for facilitating interactions with government agencies and making public services faster, more transparent and more accountable, she said.
The legislation is consistent with the government's "quick-service bureaucracy" policy and broader legal reforms, ensuring people and businesses clearly understand the procedures, timelines, required documents, and fees for government services, said Ms Rachada.
State agencies are required to reduce duplicate document requests if the government already possesses the information or can access it through centralised systems, rather than forcing people to repeatedly submit the same paperwork.
"The law also paves the way for a 'super licence' system for businesses that currently require approvals from multiple agencies. Once a principal licence has been granted, secondary licences will also be deemed approved under specified conditions," she said.
The streamlined process reduces the need for entrepreneurs to submit documents multiple times to multiple agencies. A new central application centre receives applications and forwards them electronically to relevant agencies through information technology systems, said Ms Rachada.
The initiative forms part of broader bureaucratic reforms aimed at better supporting business operations, reducing costs and waiting times, and minimising unnecessary discretionary decision-making, she noted. These are considered key factors in raising public sector standards and supporting Thailand's goal of joining the OECD.
In addition, the government is moving ahead with legislation and systems to improve data-sharing among state agencies. On May 5, the cabinet approved a draft royal decree on the disclosure of personal information between government agencies to enable more efficient data integration, improve service quality, reduce duplicate document requests from the public, and help oversight agencies conduct more accurate verification.
Authorities are amending interconnected legislation to improve the efficiency of state agencies, make public services more convenient for citizens, and enabling businesses to operate more quickly to directly impact the economy, investment and employment, said Ms Rachada.
