Ekniti Promotes AI and Clean Energy for Thailand's Economy

Thairath•Politics•12d ago

Reader Briefing

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas outlines a dual strategy of repairing structural economic problems and investing in AI and clean energy to drive Thailand's future growth.

•Ekniti Nitithanprapas delivered a special keynote at the TNN Future forum 2026 Thailand Beyond Tomorrow on September 9, 2026.
•The government aims to transition Thailand from a user to a producer of AI technology.
•A proposed subsidy of 50,000 baht per household will be provided for solar rooftop installation to allow citizens to sell electricity back to the state.
•The government is addressing household debt by transferring debts to AMCs and providing 60,000 million baht in loan guarantees for SMEs.

Overview

•On September 9, 2026, Ekniti Nitithanprapas spoke at the TNN Future forum 2026 Thailand Beyond Tomorrow.
•Ekniti Nitithanprapas warned that failure to adapt to technological changes would cause the Thai economy to decline further.
•The Board of Investment (BOI) has adjusted its strategy to focus on value for Thai people and entrepreneurs rather than just investment volume.
•Photonics data centers ranked 1st-2nd in the world have established bases in Saraburi, creating over 30,000 jobs.
•The government plans to promote the use of B20 biodiesel from palm and E20 ethanol from sugarcane and cassava to increase income for farmers.
•Thailand's economic growth has dropped from an average of 6-7% before 1997 to below 3% currently.
•The government introduced the Nok Krasib loan, using AI to analyze sales for small vendors in fresh markets to facilitate bank loans without collateral.
•The government is offering Plus savings bonds with a Small lot first priority for small retail investors.

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Key Quotes

Ekniti Nitithanprapas

"If we do nothing, Thailand will not be K; it will become a downward A, meaning only more people get worse."

ถ้าเราไม่ทำอะไร ประเทศไทยมันจะไม่ใช่ K มันจะกลายเป็น A ขาลง แปลว่ามีแต่คนแย่ลง

Key Entities

Person

Ekniti Nitithanprapas(เอกนิติ นิติทัณฑ์ประภาศ)ℹ️

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

Organization

Board of Investment(คณะกรรมการส่งเสริมการลงทุน)

An organization that adjusted its strategy to prioritize value for Thais and Thai entrepreneurs over investment volume.

Suranaree University of Technology(มหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีสุรนารี)ℹ️

A university conducting joint research and technology transfer with photonics factories.

BOI(บีโอไอ)

The shortened name for the Board of Investment.

Place

Saraburi Province(จ.สระบุรี)ℹ️

The location where world-ranked photonics data centers have established bases.