I.Thailand's Technology Development Strategy, Planning, and Policies
Thailand’s Technology Development Strategy, Planning, and Policies are overseen by the National Higher Education and Research Innovation Policy Committee. This committee is chaired by the Prime Minister, with the Deputy Prime Minister serving as the First Vice Chairman and the Minister of Higher Education and Research Innovation as the Second Vice Chairman. The committee comprises several key members, including the Minister of National Defense, Minister of Finance, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Minister of Digital Economy and Society, Minister of Commerce, Minister of Labor, Minister of Education, Minister of Public Health, Minister of Industry, Secretary General of the National Economic and Social Development Commission, Director of the Budget Bureau, Chairman of the Higher Education Committee, Chairman of the National Research and Innovation Promotion Committee, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research Innovation, Director of the National Office of Higher Education and Research Innovation Policy, and 9 Cabinet-appointed experts. The main objective of the committee is to formulate, deploy, and supervise national higher education and research innovation policies.
In recent years, the Thai government has introduced various national science and technology development strategies, plans, and policies. These include:
1.The 2021-2027 Development Strategy Plan for Biological Circular Green Economy (BCG): Proposed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research Innovation of Thailand, this plan has gained recognition and support from the government. It has been officially included in Thailand’s development agenda for 2021. The BCG development model aims to utilize Thailand’s biodiversity and cultural diversity, with technological innovation as the main driver. It focuses on four major fields: food and agriculture, healthcare, bioenergy, biomaterials and biochemistry, tourism and creative economy. The goal is to enhance the resilience and value of the industrial chains and transform Thailand into a knowledge-based, high value-added, and innovation-driven economy. This will improve Thailand’s position and sustainable competitiveness in the global supply chain, moving away from its reliance on manufacturing and production.
2.The Policy and Strategy for Higher Education and Research Innovation (2020-2027) specifies four strategic tasks for the development of national higher education and research innovation. These tasks are as follows:
(i)Talent resources and research strategies: This includes talent resource development, vocational skill enhancement, lifelong learning, artificial intelligence, cutting-edge research, and big science plans.
(ii)Strategies to address major challenges: This involves addressing challenges related to resources, environment, agriculture, an aging society, quality of life, and safety.
(iii)Enhance national competitiveness strategy: This focuses on strategies to enhance national competitiveness, such as the new economy, innovation ecosystem, and national quality infrastructure.
(iv)Regional development and inclusive social strategies: This encompasses strategies for regional development, including local economy and innovative communities, poverty alleviation, and smart cities.
3.On September 15, 2021, the 2023-2027 Higher Education Human Resources Planning and Development Plan and the 2023-2027 Scientific Research and Innovation Plan were reviewed and approved. The 2023-2027 Higher Education Human Resources Planning and Development Plan focuses on three strategic areas: lifelong learning, research ecosystem construction, and higher education transformation. The 2023-2027 Scientific Research and Innovation Plan includes four strategic areas: 1. Enhancing technological competitiveness and self-reliance; 2. Promote sustainable development of society and the environment; 3. Strengthen innovation in cutting-edge scientific fields; 4. Develop technological talents, and etc.
II.Main government departments involved in technological innovation business
1.The Ministry of Higher Education and Research Innovation (MHESI) was established in 2019 by merging several institutions, including the former Ministry of Science and Technology, Higher Education Commission, National Research Council, and Research Foundation. Its primary role is to promote and effectively implement national policies and strategic plans for higher education and technology innovation.
MHESI is entrusted with four major functions: research and innovation, research funding and policy research, social science and humanities research, and university affairs. It has various functional departments such as the Minister’s Office, the Deputy Minister’s Office, the Office for the Peaceful Use of Atomic Energy (OAP), and the Department of Scientific Services (DSS). Additionally, it manages several institutions including the National Agency for Science and Technology Development (NSTDA), the Institute of Science and Technology (TISTR), the Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT), the Institute of Astronomy (NARIT), synchrotron radiation, the Institute of Light Sources (SLRI), the Bureau of Geographic Information and Space Technology Development (GISTDA), the Institute of Metrology (NIM), the Center for Excellence in Life Sciences (TCELS), the Institute of Water Information (HII), the Office of the National Higher Education and Research Innovation Policy Committee (NXPO), the National Research Council (NRCT), the Scientific Research and Innovation Organization (TSRI), the National Innovation Agency (NIA), the National Museum of Science and Technology (NSM), and other institutions. It also oversees 84 national universities and 72 private universities.
2.The Thai International Development Cooperation Agency (TICA), which operates under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is responsible for managing Thailand’s international development cooperation affairs. These affairs include economic, technological, and scientific cooperation. Our partners consist of the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Australia, Hungary, Japan, Singapore, Sweden, the Secretariat of the Colombo Plan, the European Union, the United Nations Development Program, Population Fund, UNICEF, and more. Together with our partners, we collaborate in various forms such as joint research projects, short-term visits, training, scholarships, and more. Our collaboration extends beyond providing donations and technical assistance to neighboring countries such as Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. We also work with countries in South Asia, the Middle East, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. This includes programs like the South Cooperation Program (TICP), Annual International Training Program (AITC), International Graduate Program (TIPP), and more.
III.Research funding, number of researchers, research output, and technological innovation capability
According to data released by the National Research Council (NRCT) of Thailand, in terms of research and development investment, it has steadily increased since 2011, reaching 208.1 billion baht in 2020, which accounts for 1.33% of the GDP. Out of this amount, 66.304 billion baht (approximately 32%) is contributed by the government and non-profit organizations, while 141.706 billion baht (approximately 68%) is from the private sector. However, in 2021, due to the impact of the epidemic, R&D investment decreased by 5.98% compared to 2020, amounting to 195.57 billion baht, which accounts for 1.21% of the GDP. Out of this, 50.683 billion baht (about 27.4%) is from the government and non-profit organizations, and 144.887 billion baht (about 72.6%) is from the private sector. In terms of the number of researchers in 2020, there were a total of 249,270 scientific researchers nationwide, with a ratio of 25 researchers per 10,000 people. As for patent applications in 2022, there were 1,416 applications, with 772 filed by domestic nationals and 644 filed by foreigners.
According to the 2023 Global Innovation Index (GII) report released by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Thailand ranks 43rd in innovation capability among 132 economies worldwide, which is the same as in 2022. Among ASEAN countries, Thailand ranks third, behind Singapore (5th) and Malaysia (36th). In terms of innovation investment, Thailand ranks 44th globally, which is an improvement from 48th in 2022. Additionally, in terms of innovation output, Thailand ranks 43rd globally, also an improvement from 44th in 2022.
IV.Science and technology cooperation between the governments of China and Thailand
In 1978, an intergovernmental agreement was signed, establishing a joint committee on scientific and technological cooperation. The Ministry of Science and Technology of China and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand were responsible for implementing the agreement. In the past 40 years, 22 joint committee meetings have been successfully held.
In 2013, the Ministry of Science and Technology of China and Thailand signed a technology cooperation agreement, launching cooperation on four key projects. These projects include the China-Thailand High Speed Rail Joint Research Center, the Remote Sensing Satellite Data Sharing and Service Platform, the China-Thailand Technology Transfer Center, and the China Thailand Youth Scientists Exchange. The cooperation between the two countries further expanded in November 2019 when the Ministry of Science and Technology of China and the Ministry of Higher Education and Research Innovation of Thailand signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Promoting Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation. This significant event took place in the presence of the two prime ministers. In November 2023, the Minister of Science and Technology of China, Yin Hejun, and the Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation of Thailand, Supamas Isaraphakdi, jointly signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Joint Implementation of Science and Technology People to People Exchange Plan during the first “the Belt and Road” Science and Technology Exchange Conference. Currently, both sides have already held four joint committee meetings.