Framework for Evaluation for Open Data of Government Agencies in Thailand

Abstract

          This research had the objective to study government agencies in Thailand which applied the evaluation framework for transparency of public databases (Open Data). The researcher found that Thailand has a “high” level of Open Data for public information, and there are indicators of transparency for all the major processes in program implementation.  However, accessing this information and government support for applying these data is at a “low” level or, at least, lower than it should be. The evaluation framework for Open Data in Thailand has been adjusted and improved to include indicators based on international experience.   However, the ranking of countries for transparency using the Corruption Perception Index indicates that, in 2020, Thailand ranked as low as 104 among 180 countries around the world (with a score of 36 out of a potential top score of 100).  In that same year, Thailand ranked 5th for transparency of public data among member countries of ASEAN.  In 2016, the Thai Cabinet approved a resolution that all government agencies must conduct a self-assessment on integrity and transparency in program operations, in accordance with the criteria announced through the public website and the communication channel of each government agency.  However, the international assessment results still find that Thailand is under-performing compared to the family of nations.  At the time of this research, there were 8,197 Thai government agencies which were expected to do the Open Data self-assessment according to the framework set by the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.