Thailand had been actively involved in the drafting of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) since the beginning through its active participation in the CRPD Ad-hoc Drafting Committee. We were among the first countries that signed the CRPD on the date that it became open for signature on 30 March 2007. Various laws and policies related to the equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities have been put in place in compliance with the CRPD. On 1 April 2008, the Thai Cabinet approved the ratification of the CRPD. The Royal Thai Government regards the CRPD as an effective tool to transform our charity-based society into a rights-based society for persons with disabilities. To this end, we are mobilizing resources at all levels to ensure the effective implementation of the World Programme of Action and the Convention and to generate support at the national level. In addition, we are preparing the Country Report and promoting social awareness of the CRPD to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons with disabilities.