ส.อ.ท. ร่วมประชุมคณะกรรมการสภาอุตสาหกรรมภาคใต้สัญจร เดินหน้าขับเคลื่อนอุตสาหกรรม เชื่อม “อ่าวไทย–อันดามัน” สู่เศรษฐกิจมูลค่าสูงและยั่งยืนFTI Participates in the Traveling Southern Industrial Council Meeting to Drive the Industry Connecting the “Gulf of Thailand – Andaman” Towards a High-Value and Sustainable Economy

FTI is advancing the southern industry towards a high-value economy by connecting the potential of the “Gulf of Thailand – Andaman” through infrastructure, logistics, technology, and innovation, while enhancing the green industry and circular economy, expanding palm oil, rubber, agriculture, food, and tourism, alongside listening to the problems of operators to increase sustainable competitiveness.

On September 19-20, 2026, Ms. Pimjai Leeissaranukul, Chairperson of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), along with Mr. Sakchai Oonjittikul, Senior Vice Chairman of FTI, Mr. Phairat Uechuyot, Mr. Narongrit Panitchiwa, Mr. Veerachai Munsinthorn, Mr. Sanit Kasuwan, Mr. Sommat Khunsettha, and Ms. Benjamart Somboon, Vice Chairpersons of FTI, along with the FTI board members, attended the 2nd/2026 Southern Industrial Council traveling meeting and study visit in Krabi, welcomed by Ms. Suphawadee Choksakunimit, Chairperson of the Southern Industrial Council, Mr. Sorasak Angsuphanit, Secretary-General of the Southern Industrial Council, and Mr. Sethawut Saelim, Chairperson of the Krabi Provincial Industrial Council, along with their board members.

On September 19, 2026, the executive team visited P. Panitchroongruang Palm Oil 2 Company to learn about the application of the circular economy concept in the palm oil industry by utilizing wastewater from production to generate biogas and passing it on to Bio Fusion Sawaeng Co., Ltd. for the production of liquefied biometane (LBM) and biological carbon dioxide, creating added value from waste to clean energy while exchanging issues related to raw materials, costs, and access to funding to enhance production efficiency.

In the evening, a seminar titled “Next Industry, Sustainable Future: The Direction of Industry towards a Sustainable Future” was held at Deevana Plaza Krabi Aonang Hotel, aiming to enhance Krabi’s key industries, including palm oil, rubber, logistics, construction, and recycling, with technology, innovation, and green standards to increase value, use resources efficiently, and reduce environmental impacts while proposing support for funding and knowledge to assist SMEs in transitioning to green businesses.

On September 20, 2026, the executives of FTI participated in the 2nd/2026 Southern Industrial Council traveling meeting at the Hornbill Grand Ballroom, Deevana Plaza Krabi Aonang Hotel, with important agendas concerning the advancement of FTI's 5I policy, monitoring the performance of provincial industrial councils in the south, and addressing the concerns of members.

The meeting discussed the direction of elevating the south to a high-value economy by connecting the potentials of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman through four main mechanisms: infrastructure and logistics, industry and innovation, human resource development, and tourism and trade. The Gulf of Thailand focuses on enhancing palm oil, rubber, agriculture, and food bases, as well as promoting high-value innovation areas, while the Andaman presents the “One Andaman” concept to connect the supply chain of six provinces encompassing blue economy, high-value tourism, green industry, and international trade.

Additionally, the establishment of a Learning and Training Center for Technology and Innovation Research (Upper Southern Region) was proposed as a mechanism to develop people, technology, and entrepreneurs in the south, connecting the industrial sector, educational institutions, research work, and government through workforce skill development, technology transfer, commercial utilization of research, and support for new businesses, alongside accelerating infrastructure development, particularly the Surat Thani–Thanun railway route in Phang Nga province, to connect transportation, investment, and tourism between the two coastlines.

For the issues and proposals from the provincial industrial councils, the meeting exchanged five key important issues, including:
1. Expedite the compensation payment for construction penalties (K costs) by proposing to survey outstanding payments, allocate budget, and specify clear payment timelines to alleviate liquidity problems for operators taking public sector contracts, especially SMEs.

2. Strengthen the provincial industrial council and members, supporting operations suitable for the context of each area in terms of budget, income generation, and enhancing membership value, along with clarifying membership fees and benefits.

3. Develop southern infrastructure and logistics, rapidly connecting transport systems to reduce costs, increase competitiveness, and accommodate industry, commerce, and tourism expansion.

4. Promote specific measures for southern border provinces regarding safety, low-interest loans, and the development of professions and industries based on local resources to support business operations and enhance investment confidence.

5. Upgrade industries and entrepreneurs with technology and innovation, advancing palm oil, rubber, processed agriculture, circular economy, green energy, and tourism, alongside developing human resources and linking research for practical application.

The activities throughout the two days interconnected knowledge from enterprises with the direction of industrial development and listening to members' issues to foster collaboration among FTI, the Southern Industrial Council, and the provincial industrial councils, aligning with the needs of the area, creating business opportunities, and sustainably enhancing the competitiveness of operators.