ส.อ.ท. ร่วมถ่ายทอดมุมมองเศรษฐกิจอุตสาหกรรม ในหลักสูตรผู้บริหารระดับสูง รุ่นที่ 24 สถาบันพระปกเกล้าFTI Participates in Discussing Industrial Economic Perspectives in the 24th Senior Executive Program of the King Prajadhipok's Institute

On Saturday, February 14, 2026, Dr. Piyawat Piyapichayanont, Deputy Secretary-General of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), was honored to be a speaker in the Advanced Public Economic Management Diploma Program for Senior Executives, Class 24, on the topic "Industrial Economy: Trends in Competitiveness and Adaptation," organized by the King Prajadhipok's Institute at the Sukhothai Thammathirat Room of the King Prajadhipok's Institute.

This lecture was attended by over 112 senior executives from the government sector, private sector, and civil society.

Dr. Piyawat presented an overview of the global and Thai economies, which are facing challenges on all fronts within a context referred to as the Perfect Storm, arising from significant factors such as the trade war, technology war, geopolitical tensions, and climate change, particularly the United States’ trade policies that have increased tariffs both at the national and industry-specific levels, resulting in direct impacts on many countries, including Thailand.

At the same time, the world is entering an era where artificial intelligence (AI) has become a critical infrastructure of the economy, with significant investments in major countries leading to increased technological disparities. It is estimated that AI will create immense added value to the global economy by 2030. However, this technological advancement also comes with risks related to public debt, political volatility, and geopolitical risks that may affect the global supply chain.

For Thailand, the economy is still growing at a low level compared to other ASEAN countries, with an expected growth rate of approximately 2.0% in 2025 and a range of 1.6–2.0% in 2026, reflecting a continuing slow economic situation. Although exports are expected to grow nearly 13% in 2025, the manufacturing sector is recovering only moderately with a low industrial production index and many industries operating below 55% of their capacity.

Key pressing factors include the U.S. tariffs, which impose a 19% import tax on Thailand, risks from trade violations, an influx of foreign goods, high levels of household and SME debt, currency volatility, and structural issues such as an aging society, education quality, outdated laws, and political stability. Additionally, Thailand faces a high risk of climate change that may impact long-term income and economic growth.

However, Thailand still has significant opportunities from the trend of shifting production bases and foreign direct investment, especially in the rapidly growing digital industry, as well as investments in public infrastructure and restructuring industries towards New Growth Engines such as digital technology, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, biotechnology, electric vehicles, and comprehensive medical industries.

To enhance Thailand’s competitiveness, it is essential to focus on developing technology and innovation, increasing investment in research and development, developing a skilled workforce, improving regulations to facilitate business operations, accelerating negotiations on new trade agreements, and driving industries toward the goal of Net Zero by 2050 under the concept of sustainable growth. If Thailand can achieve structural adjustments alongside the utilization of technology and innovation as the main drivers, it will be able to enhance its competitiveness and escape the middle-income trap in the long term.