On 21 September 2022, Mr. Fabrizio Zarcone, World Bank Country Manager for Thailand paid a courtesy call on Mr. Thani Thongphakdi,
the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand. Both sides exchanged views and discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation.

On this occasion, the Permanent Secretary expressed appreciation for the World Bank’s continued support to Thailand and reiterated the importance of improving the business climate, raising standards, and regulatory reforms to facilitate business operations. In this regard,
Mr. Zarcone reaffirmed the World Bank’s readiness to continue its support in Thailand and regional development initiatives, such as connectivity, resources management as well as quality infrastructure development.

Thailand became a member of the World Bank on 3 May 1949. For more than 70 years, the relationship between Thailand and the World Bank has evolved from traditional lender – borrower into a development partnership focusing on exchanging knowledge and providing policy recommendations related to the country’s development agenda. Under the Thailand – World Bank Group Country Partnership Framework (CPF) 2019 - 2022, the World Bank Group aims to support Thailand’s transformation towards an innovative, inclusive, and sustainable economy. The World Bank may extend CPF for two more years as it is in conducting a Performance and Learning Review (PLR) of the current CPF. The PLR aims to improve the alignment of Thailand's development priorities with the next CPF, through discussions with all stakeholders.