Bangkok: Yupa, Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office, delivered policy guidelines to provincial good governance committee members, underscoring the importance of active and systematic efforts required to address Thailand's challenging development context.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Yupapha Thawiwattanakitbaworn, Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office, provided policy and operational guidelines to the Provincial Governance Committees (PGCs) during a Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony. The agreement focuses on cooperation in preventing and resolving corruption and misconduct in government agencies and state entities. This event marked the initial participation of the Provincial Governance Committees, highlighting a key step toward cooperation and synergy to enhance committee efficiency. Ms. Yupapha also expressed gratitude to the participants of the 2026 workshop on developing the capacity and work processes of the PGCs.
Ms. Yupapha remarked that although the Provincial Governance Committee has been active for 16 years, this seminar marked the participation of the 5th Provincial Governance Committee. The established framework underscores the role, responsibilities, and significance of the committee in national development. She stressed that the committee is a vital mechanism for driving national progress, not merely receiving policy directives but also providing clear operational guidelines. The committee's recommendations contribute to improving public sector operations at all levels.
The occasion addressed Thailand's complex development challenges, which span economic, social, environmental, and technological aspects. Rising public expectations necessitate improved government performance based on transparency, accountability, participation, fairness, and ethical conduct, free from corruption. The Permanent Secretary emphasized that the Provincial Governance Committee serves as a public representative, acting as a mechanism to connect the government with the public, overseeing and auditing provincial government agency operations to ensure adherence to good governance principles.
The committee's roles were highlighted in four key aspects: governance oversight, proactive corruption prevention, representing public concerns, and promoting a culture of integrity. The Memorandum of Understanding is not merely symbolic but a framework for concrete cooperation, with defined roles, mutual support, and ongoing monitoring. Information and suggestions from the committee will be presented to the Cabinet to reflect local-level work.
These policies focus on four main operational areas: evidence-based work, integration with network partners, public communication to build trust, and continuous self-development. 'The government places great importance on strengthening good governance, transparency, and preventing corruption,' said Ms. Yupa, expressing confidence in the capabilities of the Provincial Good Governance Committee members.
The event concluded with the Permanent Secretary presiding over an award ceremony recognizing outstanding performance by the Provincial Governance Committees in 56 provinces for the fiscal year 2025.