ส.อ.ท. ประชุม กส. เดินหน้า 5I–พลังงาน–การค้า เสริมแกร่งอุตสาหกรรมไทยFTI Convened the 7th Meeting of the Board to Advance 5I – Energy – Trade to Strengthen Thai Industry

On Monday, August 31, 2026, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) organized its 7th meeting of the board, chaired by Ms. Pimjai Leeissaranukul, President of FTI, alongside Mr. Kitti Tangjitrmanisak, Senior Vice President of FTI, Mr. Isares Ratthanadilok na Phuket, Registrar of FTI, Ms. Ketsamanee Lertkitcha, Treasurer of FTI, and Mr. Panithan Pawarolaeravit, Secretary-General of FTI, who convened with the board members from across the country at the Chatrium Ballroom, 4th floor, Chatrium Riverside Hotel Bangkok.

During this meeting, critical agendas beneficial for driving the industrial sector were presented, including:
1. The FTI executives and board welcomed Dr. Sumet Tantivejkul, Board Member and Senior Special Advisor of Chaipattana Foundation, who honored the meeting with a special lecture on "Industrial Development According to the Royal Initiative and the Principles of Sufficiency Economy." The lecture aimed to convey ideas, directions, and recommendations on how to apply the principles of Sufficiency Economy in practical business management, while promoting the advancement of the Sufficiency Economy Standard 9999 for the industrial sector, which adheres to the principles of moderation, reasonableness, and resilience based on knowledge and virtue. This framework can be integrated with existing management systems appropriately and effectively for all types and sizes of industrial organizations.

2. The Joint Private Sector Committee of Three Organizations (JSCC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Thailand, the National Economic and Social Development Board, the World Bank, and partners is hosting The Bangkok Business Summit 2026: Reinvent Thailand, Resilient ASEAN on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. The summit aims to drive four key areas: creating high-skilled jobs, clean energy infrastructure and digital financial systems, enhancing the agricultural sector, and implementing Zero Corruption measures, while launching the World Bank report "Building Thailand’s Future Today" to drive Thailand towards an innovation-driven economy and high-income country, as well as prepare for the IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings 2026 and Thailand's ASEAN chairmanship in 2028.

3. The Joint Private Sector Committee of Three Organizations (JSCC) has scheduled a Dinner Talk under the theme "Zero Corruption: From Policy to Action" on Thursday, October 1, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Royal Jubilee Ballroom, Impact Muang Thong Thani, to fundraise for the Zero Corruption working group: JSCC and friends, and to serve as an important platform for the private sector and governance networks to exchange, raise awareness, and drive serious anti-corruption initiatives. The event will be honored by Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, the Prime Minister, delivering a special speech on "The Government's Role in Driving Thailand Towards Zero Corruption and Sustainable Growth," alongside Mr. Pakorn Nilprapunt, the Deputy Prime Minister, discussing the topic of "Legal Reforms and Government: Key Mechanisms for Zero Corruption" to reflect on ways to enhance government efficiency, legal reforms, and build cooperation mechanisms between the government, private sectors, and the public, leading to a transparent society with good governance and sustainable growth.

4. Summary of the feedback collection activities (Workshop) divided into two groups as follows:
• Group 1: Strong Provincial Industrial Councils suggested that the central body should support the budget and personnel, develop a member database that connects nationwide, create new leaders, and enhance services that meet the needs of entrepreneurs in the area.
• Group 2: The establishment of a new FTI office suggested that the new office should be located in a convenient location with adequate parking and meeting rooms, and developed into an ecosystem that connects members, partners, services, and income-generating activities to enhance the organization's capabilities and support sustainable growth in the future.

5. Approved guidelines for CSR management and coordination in case of disasters affecting FTI members, including the preparation of an emergency fund for immediate assistance under the CSR segment amounting to 200,000 Baht.

6. Approved the appointment of Mr. Thongchai Olarnriksupak as a member of FTI, representing Benjamitr Packaging Co., Ltd., to replace Mr. Taweewat Kanokwaleewong, representing Noel Corporate Co., Ltd., who has requested to resign from the position of FTI board member.

7. Approved the income-expense budget for July 2026, reporting total income of 214.46 million Baht and total expenses of 198.64 million Baht for the period of January–July 2026, resulting in a net income exceeding expenses by 15.82 million Baht.

8. Approved new membership applications / resignations / status changes for August 2026, with a total accumulated membership of 16,750, comprising 10,044 regular members and 6,706 associate members, an increase of 683 members from the end of 2025 (as of August 20, 2026).

9. Provided updates on the energy transition efforts, proposing the Thailand Pragmatic Energy Transition framework to drive balanced energy transition across four dimensions: energy security, reasonable costs, sustainability, and competitiveness, while pushing for biomass energy, biofuels, energy storage systems, and access to clean energy for the industrial sector. For the draft PDP 2026, FTI proposed increasing the biomass energy usage target from 1,185 megawatts to 2,000 megawatts to reduce energy imports and create added value from agricultural waste.

Additionally, FTI is preparing to enhance understanding of the natural gas price structure and support operators, particularly SMEs, in improving efficiency and reducing energy costs through energy conservation measures, ESCO systems, Lean energy management, and the installation of Solar Rooftop systems to sustainably enhance the competitiveness of the Thai industry.

10. The Joint Government-Private Sector Committee for Economic Issue Resolution (JER) discussed various measures to drive the economy, while considering the establishment of working groups in four areas under the sub-committee on new investment development and four working groups under the sub-committee on trade, tourism, and community economy development, to drive these measures into concrete results.

11. FTI participated in the first meeting of the international trade working group on August 20, 2026, proposing three "Quick Big Win" measures: expediting negotiations on the Thailand-European Union Free Trade Agreement, diversifying risks and expanding new markets in India, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa, as well as establishing a national export strategy. These proposals aim to reduce dependence on traditional markets, increase the use of FTA benefits, integrate SMEs into the global supply chain, and enhance the competitiveness of Thai operators.

12. The negotiations for the Thailand-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) have progressed over two-thirds, successfully finalizing 15 out of 24 chapters after the 9th round of negotiations. Both parties are currently accelerating efforts to conclude discussions on the remaining topics, which cover intellectual property, competition policy, state enterprises, environmental issues, labor, and regulatory practices to expand trade opportunities, investment, and elevate Thailand's competitiveness in the European market.

13. Regarding the United States Trade Law Section 301, Thailand clarified to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) concerning the ongoing investigation under Section 301 regarding forced labor and excess production capacity, affirming that Thailand does not support products made with forced labor and has no market-distorting subsidy policies, while the industrial sector operates at normal production capacity levels. The industrial sector proposed accelerating the upgrade of the product origin verification system to prevent rights violations and product switching while enhancing intellectual property protection measures and labor standards to maintain confidence and reduce risks to Thai exports to the United States.

14. The government is preparing measures to control imported goods at risk of forced labor usage, in response to the U.S. Section 301 investigation, by establishing specialized committees and subcommittees to create a risk goods list and inspection standards. Measures will include document screening, risk assessments based on indicators from the International Labor Organization, and requirements for import bans, permits, or certifications to prevent products that violate labor rights and enhance confidence in Thai trade standards.

15. Provided updates on the results of the 2nd meeting of the Regional JER Steering Committee on August 14, 2026, attended by over 500 representatives from provincial JSCCs and district groups nationwide, to foster understanding of roles, missions, and project direction to be aligned. The meeting emphasized the integration of the private sector's proposals through JSCC and JER mechanisms, from provincial and district levels to national policy formulation to jointly resolve issues and systematically drive regional economic growth.

16. Provided updates from the East Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee meeting, monitoring the progress of EEC development including investments in target industries, large infrastructure projects, special economic zone development, and smart city development (EECiti) to enhance the area as a regional business and innovation hub. Additionally, it approved in principle to designate Prachinburi province as an additional EEC area, urging swift resolution of environmental issues, infrastructure, personnel development, and target industry promotion to connect investments and sustainably distribute economic benefits to surrounding areas.

17. The Employee Welfare Fund will come into effect on October 1, 2026, for establishments with 10 or more employees and lacking an employee provident fund, with employers and employees contributing 0.25% of wages, gradually increasing to 0.50% per side starting October 1, 2028, to ensure financial security for employees upon job departure or death.

The election of employee and employer representatives in the Social Security Committee is scheduled for September 27, 2026, with adjustments being made to regulations allowing eligible individuals to vote directly without prior registration, to enhance convenience, transparency, and encourage participation from all parties.