The World Customs Organization (WCO), with financial support from the Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF) of China, successfully held a National Workshop on the WCO Data Model (WCO DM) and Single Window Data harmonization in Bangkok, Thailand, from 9 to 13 December 2024. Finnish Customs supported the Workshop by providing one of its WCO DM experts to help facilitate the Workshop. The event aimed to improve Thai Customs officials' knowledge of the WCO DM as a global standard for data exchange, and provide them with the skills necessary to successfully implement the data standard. The Workshop focused on enabling the Thai Customs to develop a National data catalogue that fully aligns with the WCO DM.
The event opened with remarks from representatives of Thai Customs and a WCO expert, who welcomed participants and outlined the Workshop's objectives. The Director of the Human Resource Management Division of Thai Customs, Apapannee Saengmukda, noted in her opening remarks that the primary goal is to promote the adoption of the WCO DM to enhance interoperability and digital collaboration among Customs administrations and other stakeholders.
To provide context on the use of the WCO DM in border modernization efforts, the Workshop included presentations on the strategic benefits of digitalization and standardization. Experts gave an overview of the WCO DM and its components, providing participants with detailed knowledge on the Model's structure, and the tools and techniques it incorporates which ensure standardisation and, as a result, interoperability. Key technical aspects of the WCO DM, such as its libraries, information packages, and main class levels, were covered, and participants were introduced to the WCO Data Model App to assist in the implementation process.
The Workshop featured hands-on exercises focused on harmonizing data requirements for Customs procedures, including import/export clearance, manifest, and import/export license. A Thai Customs representative also presented detailed information on Thai Customs’ procedures and National Single Window platform, identifying opportunities to incorporate the WCO DM within these frameworks, which can be the efficient tools and standards for the development of national and international trade interoperability.
The Workshop concluded with a summary of key points and closing remarks, reinforcing the importance of the WCO DM in streamlining and harmonizing Customs processes in Thailand. Key follow-up actions were outlined to support the full implementation of the WCO DM by producing a national dataset in a “My Information Package” (MyIP) format by Thai Customs and how the Data Model Projects Team experts could contribute in assisting in such an endeavour.
In a high-level meeting between the WCO experts and Thai Customs leadership, Deputy Director General Niti Wityatem stated that aligning Thai Customs with the WCO DM lays a strong foundation for the interoperability of any ongoing and future digital initiatives-an essential feature for efficient border procedures. He reiterated Thai Customs’ commitment to continuously enhancing the alignment of the Thai national dataset with the WCO DM.