Weerayut Warns Thai Economy Depends on Energy Transition

Thairath•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Weerayut Kanchuchat emphasizes that Thailand's economic competitiveness and investment attraction depend on a genuine transition to clean energy.

•Weerayut Kanchuchat spoke at a seminar on driving the green industry toward sustainability on September 14, 2026.
•The Power Development Plan 2026 (PDP 2026) faces concerns regarding public participation and the reduction of fossil fuels.
•Clean energy is identified as a decisive factor for trade competitiveness, particularly for exports to Europe and Australia.
•The 'Tailor the Transition' report indicates a growing gap in clean energy demand from investors.

•On September 14, 2026, Weerayut Kanchuchat served as a speaker at the "Driving Green Industry toward Sustainability (SDGs)" seminar.
•The seminar was organized by the Committee on Industry of the House of Representatives.
•Weerayut Kanchuchat stated that energy transition must involve replacing and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, which currently account for 80% of Thailand's energy use, rather than just adding EVs and solar panels.
•Weerayut Kanchuchat warned that if Thailand does not accelerate the energy transition, the Thai economy cannot transition as well because clean energy is a decisive factor for trade competitiveness.
•A report titled "Tailor the Transition" by the Committee for Economic Development and GIZ indicates clean energy demand gaps for investors will grow to 70% in 2030 and 80% in 2035.
•The gap in clean energy availability risks causing investors to relocate production bases or reject new investment phases.
•Weerayut Kanchuchat proposed that the government design industry-specific policies, such as supporting SME auto part machinery changes, biomass and biogas for food groups, and carbon capture for petrochemicals.

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Weerayut Kanchuchat(วีระยุทธ กาญจน์ชูฉัตร)

A party-list MP and Deputy Leader of the People's Party who spoke at a green industry seminar.

People's Party(พรรคประชาชน)

The political party of which Weerayut Kanchuchat is Deputy Leader.

Committee on Industry of the House of Representatives(คณะกรรมาธิการการอุตสาหกรรม สภาผู้แทนราษฎร)

The organizer of the seminar on driving green industry toward sustainability.

Committee for Economic Development(กมธ.พัฒนาเศรษฐกิจ)ℹ️

The committee that collaborated with GIZ on the "Tailor the Transition" report.

GIZ

An organization that collaborated with the Committee for Economic Development on the "Tailor the Transition" report.

Power Development Plan 2026 (PDP 2026)(แผนพัฒนากำลังผลิตไฟฟ้าของประเทศ (PDP 2026))

The national power production plan facing questions about participation and fossil fuel reduction.

Europe(ยุโรป)ℹ️

A high-quality export market where clean energy is a factor for trade competitiveness.

Australia(ออสเตรเลีย)ℹ️

A high-quality export market where clean energy is a factor for trade competitiveness.