BANGKOK, Thailand – Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supajee Suthumpun has urged Thailand to respond more quickly to a multipolar global economy by diversifying export markets, adapting to new trade rules, and moving toward higher-value commerce. Speaking at Dailynews Talk 2026 in Bangkok on August 24, Supajee discussed a global trading environment increasingly influenced by geopolitics, economic security, environmental requirements, and artificial intelligence, with supply chains placing greater weight on resilience, security, and trusted partnerships.
Supajee identified environmental standards and AI as areas where changing global conditions can create new opportunities for Thai businesses. She cited precision rice as an example of how to generate greater value through improvements across production, processing, packaging, and branding. Thailand is also among the four major global exporters of AI hardware, alongside Taiwan, South Korea, and Malaysia, while businesses across other industries can use AI and data to improve productivity, analyze consumer behavior, and develop higher-value products and services.
Thai exports expanded by more than 17% in the first half of 2026, with full-year growth projected to be at least 8% and potentially reach double digits if major disruptions are avoided. With the United States and China accounting for about one-third of Thailand’s exports, Supajee called for greater diversification into the European Union, ASEAN, India, South Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. Thailand has completed the ninth round of FTA negotiations with the European Union, with the 10th round scheduled for September and completion of the talks targeted for completion this year.
Supajee also called for Thai businesses to compete through value rather than price and become more integrated into international supply chains. More than 22,000 of Thailand’s roughly 30,000 exporters are SMEs, yet they generate only about 12% of total export revenue. The Commerce Ministry plans to reduce regulatory, cost, and market-access barriers while encouraging wider use of digital technology and AI, greater awareness of ESG requirements, and closer commercial partnerships, helping Thai businesses respond more effectively as global trade continues to change. (NNT)
