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Commerce Ministry's 5 Strategies to Unlock Thai Economy

Commerce Ministry's 5 Strategies to Unlock Thai Economy

Thansettakij•Economy•26m ago

Reader Briefing

Director General of the Department of Foreign Trade announced five economic strategies to reduce trade risks and increase value for Thai exports.

  • •Arada Fuangthong presented the 5 strategies at the 44th National Chamber of Commerce Seminar on November 13, 2026.
  • •The strategies focus on opening new markets, reducing unfair competition, shifting from price to quality, utilizing digital/AI services, and strengthening SMEs.
  • •The Ministry of Commerce aims to reduce costs and increase income for entrepreneurs across all groups.

Overview

  • •Arada Fuangthong spoke at the 44th National Chamber of Commerce Seminar on November 13, 2026.
  • •Thai exports over 9 months grew by 19.6%, with the United States accounting for 24.9%, ASEAN over 20%, China 11.5%, and Japan 6.5% of total value.
  • •The Ministry of Commerce is targeting the Middle East (currently 3.7% of exports) and India to diversify trade and reduce reliance on primary markets.
  • •Thailand has 14 active FTAs covering 18 countries and 17 pending agreements covering 24 countries, though entrepreneurs use FTA benefits for only 81% of eligible export value.
  • •The Department of Foreign Trade and the Customs Department will strictly enforce laws to prevent transshipment and the illegal use of Thai origin rights.
  • •The Department of Foreign Trade implemented the Smart CO system in 2024, which reduced forged Certificates of Origin to dozens, and reported no such issues since 2025.
  • •The Department of Foreign Trade plans to launch ROER Plus next year, using AI to process product cost verification linked with the Customs Department and the Department of Industrial Works.

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Source: Thansettakij (Original)

Key Quotes

Arada Fuangthong
"The Ministry of Commerce will not allow Thailand to become a transit point for rights-claimed goods, as it affects the credibility of Thai products and may lead to trade measures from partners."
กระทรวงพาณิชย์จะไม่ยอมให้ประเทศไทยกลายเป็นทางผ่านของสินค้าสวมสิทธิ์ เพราะนอกจากจะส่งผลกระทบต่อความน่าเชื่อถือของสินค้าไทยแล้ว ยังอาจทำให้ประเทศต้องเผชิญกับมาตรการทางการค้าจากประเทศคู่ค้า

Key Entities

Person

Arada Fuangthong(อารดา เฟื่องทอง)
Director General of the Department of Foreign Trade.

Organization

Ministry of Commerce(กระทรวงพาณิชย์)ℹ️
The government ministry responsible for implementing five strategies to unlock the Thai economy.
Department of Foreign Trade(กรมการค้าต่างประเทศ)
The agency developing the Smart CO and ROER Plus systems to facilitate trade and verify product costs.
Customs Department(กรมศุลกากร)
The agency cooperating with the Department of Foreign Trade to prevent transshipment and verify product costs.
Department of Industrial Works(กรมโรงงานอุตสาหกรรม)
The agency that will link data with the ROER Plus system to track production sources.
Department of Business Development(กรมพัฒนาธุรกิจการค้า)
The agency providing legal entity data on SMEs in Thailand.

Place

United States(สหรัฐฯ)ℹ️
A primary export market for Thailand accounting for 24.9% of total export value.
China(จีน)ℹ️
A primary export market for Thailand accounting for 11.5% of total export value.
ASEAN(อาเซียน)ℹ️
An export market accounting for more than 20% of Thailand's total export value.
Japan(ญี่ปุ่น)ℹ️
An export market accounting for 6.5% of Thailand's total export value.
Middle East(ตะวันออกกลาง)ℹ️
A target market for export diversification that currently holds 3.7% of Thailand's export share.
India(อินเดีย)ℹ️
A high-potential target market for Thai entrepreneurs due to its large population and expanding middle class.