ส.อ.ท. ผนึกกระทรวงอุตสาหกรรม ขับเคลื่อนนโยบายยกระดับอุตสาหกรรมไทย เสริมศักยภาพการแข่งขันประเทศสู่การเติบโตอย่างยั่งยืนFTI Partners with the Ministry of Industry to Drive Policies for Upgrading Thai Industry, Strengthening National Competitiveness Towards Sustainable Growth

On July 2, 2026, Mrs. Pimjai Leeissaranukul, President of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), along with executives, met with Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Industry, and his team to discuss directions for driving policies to upgrade Thai industry at Meeting Room 1, 2nd Floor, Office of the Ministry of Industry.

During the meeting, Mrs. Pimjai presented the organization's operational direction for the years 2026–2028, which aims to elevate the role of the FTI from a representative of the industrial sector to a strategic partner of the government in jointly shaping the future of Thailand's industrial sector by promoting policies that address economic growth, the development of business operators’ potential, and enhancing the country’s long-term competitiveness.

Thailand is at a pivotal moment in its economic development, with the industrial sector facing pressure from multiple factors such as a slowing global economy, geopolitical volatility, changes in global supply chains, rapid advancements in digital technology and artificial intelligence, as well as increasingly stringent environmental regulations and international trade measures, all of which directly impact Thai operators at all levels.

In response, the FTI has established a vision for its operations under the concept of “The New Chapter of Thai Industry” to open a new chapter for Thai industry through the 5I strategy, which serves as a framework for the development of Thai industry, including Intelligent Industry—elevating the manufacturing sector with digital technology, automation, and artificial intelligence; Innovation & Creative Industry—creating value through innovation, research, design, and intellectual property; International Alliance & Network—creating economic partnerships and connecting global supply chains; Industrial Infrastructure Reform—reforming regulations, infrastructure, energy, human capital, and the support systems for the industrial sector; and Inclusive Sustainability—creating balanced growth that is environmentally friendly and leaves no operator behind.

To ensure the effectiveness of this vision, the FTI proposed important agendas to the Ministry of Industry, which include: 1. Policy proposals to address the crisis in the Thai pickup truck industry; 2. Cooperation to elevate the regulation and expand the Made in Thailand (MiT) initiative to the region; 3. Driving strategies for the agricultural machinery industry; 4. Enhancing waste management in Thailand; 5. The BUY THAI project; 6. Developing and promoting the Thai halal industry to compete in the ASEAN and global markets; and 7. Establishing mechanisms for collaboration between the Ministry of Industry and the Federation of Thai Industries.

Regarding the crisis in the Thai pickup truck industry, the FTI proposed urgent measures for the recovery and enhancement of the Thai pickup truck industry by suggesting the integration of measures related to taxation, access to credit, industry restructuring, trade management, and the promotion of bioenergy usage, to maintain production bases, employment, and the strength of the Thai automotive supply chain.

In addition to focusing on sustaining core industry potentials, the FTI also emphasizes building strength among Thai operators by elevating the Made in Thailand (MiT) system to be more than just a certification of origin but a strategic mechanism for driving the country's industrial economy. The FTI proposes collaboration to enhance regulation and expand the MiT symbol to the region through connections with factory regulation systems and integration with provincial industrial offices to provide more opportunities for Thai operators to access standards certification and build confidence in Thai products.

Additionally, the FTI presented various approaches to propel industries across diverse dimensions to enhance the country's competitiveness, such as pushing the agricultural machinery industry strategy to strengthen production capacity and support the development of the Thai agricultural sector concretely, enhancing waste management following circular economy guidelines, and advancing the Auto E-License system to improve resource efficiency and promote the green industry. Furthermore, it supports the BUY THAI project to encourage the use of locally produced goods and products, reducing dependence on imports, and creating added value for the national economy, alongside developing and promoting the Thai halal industry to compete in ASEAN and global markets.

Furthermore, the FTI proposed the establishment of a cooperation mechanism between the Ministry of Industry and the Federation of Thai Industries to integrate operations and effectively advance industrial policies into tangible results.

Both parties agreed to establish a joint steering committee to drive Thailand's industrial economy, with meetings scheduled every two months to follow up on the progress of operations, aiming to create a mechanism for integrating cooperation between the public and private sectors to advance the presented agendas, promote the development of Thai industries, enhance the competitiveness of operators, and drive the industrial economy of the country towards stable, strong, and sustainable growth in the long term.

Mrs. Pimjai concluded that the success of the future development of Thai industry will depend on close cooperation between the public and private sectors, and the FTI is ready to collaborate with the Ministry of Industry in driving the Thai industrial sector across all dimensions.

Mr. Varawut stated, "I would like to thank the Federation of Thai Industries for being an important force in driving the Thai industrial sector. The Ministry of Industry is ready to work closely with the Federation of Thai Industries and all relevant working groups to push various policies and measures into tangible results."

The discussion included FTI executives: Mr. Kitti Tangjitramaneesak, Senior Vice President of FTI and Chairman of the Legal Committee; Mr. Panit Panwiriyawirot, Secretary-General of FTI; Mrs. Kanit Muangkrajang, Vice President of FTI and Chairperson of the Industrial Standards and Competitiveness Committee; Mr. Preeda Watcharathirakul, Vice President of FTI and Chairman of the Water, Environment, and Climate Change Institute; Mr. Montree Mahaprukpong, Vice President of FTI and Chairman of the Economic and Academic Committee; Mr. Prairath Uechouyot, Vice President of FTI and Chairperson of the Promotion and Support Committee of the Provincial Federation of Industries; Dr. Wirach Chatrarung, Vice President of FTI and Chairman of the Digital Institute for Industry; Mr. Suwatch Supakarndejakoon, Vice President of FTI and Chairperson of the Automotive Industry Group; Mr. Supachai Sukpisal, Executive Committee Member of FTI; Mr. Yanaphon Lipnachokchai, Chairman of the Agricultural Machinery Industry Group; Mr. Kritsada Prasertsukho, Vice Chairman of the ASEAN Regional Business Promotion Sub-Committee; Mr. Thanawat Jitbantheungpan, Sub-Committee Member and Secretary of the ASEAN Regional Business Promotion Sub-Committee; and Ms. Sirorat Suphasak, Advisor to the Agricultural Machinery Industry Group.

On the part of the Ministry of Industry, executives included: Mr. Natthaphon Rangsitphon, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry; Ms. Nattiya Natayasupha, Director-General of the Department of Industrial Promotion; Mr. Supakit Boonsiri, Director of the Office of Industrial Economic; Mr. Ekniti Ramayanan, Secretary-General of the Office of Industrial Standard Products; Mr. Bainooi Suwannachart, Secretary-General of the Office of the Sugarcane and Sugar Industry Commission; and Mr. Adithat Wasinont, Director-General of the Department of Primary Industries and Mining.