Six-point strategy launched by Thailand to refurbish IP framework
Chantawit Tantasith, deputy commerce minister, supported this view, emphasising that a core policy is to empower SMEs by helping them leverage IP to create new business opportunities and raise the value of their products and services.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has unveiled a six-point strategy to overhaul Thailand’s intellectual property (IP) framework at a meeting of the National Committee on Intellectual Property Policy. The initiative aims to drive innovation, strengthen small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and secure Thailand’s removal from the United States’ Special 301 Watch List for IP concerns.
A robust and transparent IP ecosystem is vital for both economic growth and international standing, the finance minister said. He stressed that protecting IP is key to attracting foreign investment and enhancing the global competitiveness of Thai businesses. Deputy Commerce Minister Chantawit Tantasith endorsed this perspective, highlighting that empowering SMEs to capitalise on IP assets can significantly boost product value and open new business avenues.
Under the strategy, the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) has been tasked with improving Thailand’s ranking in the Global Innovation Index by focusing on six pillars:
- Promoting the commercial application of research
- Increasing value through creativity
- Developing financial mechanisms for innovation
- Expanding the practical use of IP
- Fostering innovation-based enterprises
- Strengthening data management systems
The strategy sets out short-, medium-, and long-term policy directions to create a coherent roadmap for national IP development.
The committee also approved the 2026–27 IP Development Plan to complement the six-point strategy. This plan calls for proactive integration of legal reforms, stricter enforcement against infringement, enhanced public services, and targeted awareness campaigns. These measures aim not only to combat IP violations but also to tackle the root causes behind Thailand’s inclusion on the US trade watch list, signalling a strong commitment to building a more competitive, innovation-driven, and investment-friendly economy.