Thailand’s Innovation Ecosystem: From Lab to Life and a Healthier Future
For years, Thailand has grappled with the perception of research remaining “on the shelf,” a seemingly intractable problem. However, the core issue isn’t necessarily the research itself, but the disconnect between those who create knowledge and those who can utilize it.
In an era defined by overlapping crises – volatile energy prices, food security concerns, and the rapid advancement of AI – innovation isn’t merely an option. it’s a necessity for national survival.
A new strategy, recently announced by the Science Research and Innovation (SRI), the Office of Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion (SME), and Techsauce, aims to build a functional “innovation ecosystem” and transform Thai SMEs into global players.
“Medical Innovation” – A New Engine for the Thai Economy
The Healthspan Festival 2026, held on March 27, 2026, at the Siam Paragon Convention Center, showcased this commitment. Organized by the Thailand RISE Fund (under the SRI), the event brought together SMEs, startups, and researchers.
Dr. Sompong Klainghong, Director of the SRI, emphasized the critical challenges facing healthcare, both in Thailand, and globally. Thailand is rapidly becoming an aging society, with 22.5% of the population aged 60 or older (approximately 13 million people). 74% of deaths are attributed to NCDs (Non-Communicable Diseases), and healthcare expenditure accounts for 4.5% of the country’s GDP (around 3.46 billion baht). Approximately 45% of Thais are overweight or obese.
Dr. Sompong stated that leveraging science, research, and innovation is crucial to transform these challenges into opportunities, focusing on integrating health and innovation.
“Healthspan Festival 2026 is not just an exhibition; it’s a strategic milestone in recalibrating Thailand’s economic compass towards a ‘New Growth Engine’ with the concept of ‘Healthspan’ – extending the years of healthy life.”
Allocating Investment: Developing Medical and Health Innovations
The SRI, as the System Integrator of the Science Research and Innovation (SRI) system, has allocated over 6 billion baht over the past three years to build wealth based on a foundation of health security. This strategy prioritizes a shift from treatment to prevention and reducing reliance on foreign technology.
The Thailand RISE Fund allocated approximately 16.085 billion baht to research and development in the medical and health industries between fiscal years 2063-2069, distributed as follows:
- BCG (Vaccines, ATMPs, Biologics, Medical devices, Drugs, Herbal Ingredients): 5,870.63 billion baht
- Genomics: 3,370.62 billion baht
- Covid-19: 2,882.97 billion baht
- Health System: 2,109.87 billion baht
- Fundamental Fund: 1,850.93 billion baht
Working-Age and Senior Citizens: Extending Healthy Lifespans
The SRI aims to extend healthy lifespans for all Thais, not just the elderly, recognizing the importance of supporting the working-age population. The focus is on utilizing research, innovation, science, and technology as tools for investment and improving the quality of life and the economy.
“The SRI has a clear mandate to formulate policies, strategic plans, and budgetary frameworks for science, research, and innovation funding in the country, as well as to support academic work, administrative tasks, and beneficial recommendations. Its vision is to be a central agency in defining the direction and driving the Science Research and Innovation (SRI) system effectively, through integrated collaboration between the public, academic, private, and public sectors.” – Dr. Sompong Klainghong
Allocating Budgets and Alternative Energy: Supporting Researchers and SMEs
Addressing the current energy crisis, the SRI is developing strategies to support both researchers and businesses, fostering resilience and resource efficiency. This includes promoting alternative energy technologies like electric vehicles (EVs), solar power, and electricity substitution for oil.
“The SRI is preparing budgets to enable agencies involved in research to create knowledge for self-improvement and survival during the crisis, as well as promoting policies to drive concrete action and collaborating with partners such as the SME to support businesses in adopting innovations to reduce energy and transportation costs, such as using digital platforms or AI in their operations to reduce the require for travel, saving both oil and time.” – Dr. Sompong Klainghong
Innovation: Increasing Income for Thais
Dr. Wisnu Mee-oo, Deputy Director of the SRI, added that the SRI strives to act as a “middle link,” connecting researchers with the needs of the world and businesses, encouraging researchers to shift from research driven by personal interest to research that addresses national and public needs, creating economic value and solving living cost problems.
“The SRI believes that innovation is not just about making things cheaper, but about helping Thais earn more and creating new economic value, fostering resilience and the ability to withstand changes in oil prices or the cost of living in the future.” – Dr. Wisnu Mee-oo
The traditional focus on lowering prices may not be sustainable in a world of fluctuating energy and food costs. The example of canned crab, which recently reached a price of 1,000 baht, illustrates this point. Instead of trying to lower the price to 500 baht, the focus should be on elevating the economy so that Thais can afford the 1,000 baht price point without hardship.
A New Investment Model: Selling Technology, Not Just Products
A key challenge for Thai exports is logistics and physical limitations. However, shifting from exporting products to exporting “Tech Transfer” or outbound investment presents new opportunities.
Dr. Wisnu explained that showcasing research and innovation in Oman revealed a demand for Thai technology in seafood processing, specifically for drying seafood to meet Halal standards. Instead of exporting dried shrimp, Thailand could export the technology for producing Halal-standard dried shrimp, establishing a production base in Oman and gaining both a market and a strategic partner.
Similarly, transforming rice into high-value products in countries like Indonesia, with a population of 300 million, offers significant growth potential. Upgrading turmeric cultivation to produce pharmaceutical-grade ingredients too increases its value.
“We must redefine innovation not as a tool for convenience, but as a tool to buy time to create new value. For example, new journalists should use AI to refine language and organize data, freeing up time for in-depth research, interviews, and investigative work – tasks that AI cannot replicate.”
Humans still need to interact with humans, read emotionally resonant language. Innovation should eliminate routine tasks, allowing people to focus on their most powerful abilities: creativity and relationships. If technology can extend lifespans to 100 years, it’s crucial to have a plan for a meaningful life.
Building an Ecosystem: Empowering Thai SMEs
Dr. Panita Chinwat, Deputy Director of the Office of Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion (SME), highlighted the SME’s role in supporting SMEs and fostering innovation. The strategy involves identifying suitable SMEs to adopt innovations supported by agencies like the SRI, bridging the gap between research and commercialization.
The SME is focused on “giving wings to tigers,” pairing SMEs with expertise in business and trade with new innovations. This helps reduce costs, create new products, and compete internationally, particularly in the medical and health innovation sectors. The creation of an ecosystem connecting upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors is supported through funding for IDE (Innovation-Driven Enterprise), entrepreneurs, and startups.
“By leveraging the ecosystem, the SME, which represents 99.5% of the country’s businesses, receives comprehensive support. The SME collaborates with other sectors, such as the SRI (in upstream research) and Techsauce (in connecting investors and markets), to help SMEs access an ecosystem conducive to growth and competition at both national and international levels. Events like the Healthspan Festival 2026 provide a platform for entrepreneurs and researchers to connect, exchange knowledge, and forge business deals.” – Dr. Panita Chinwat
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main goal of the Healthspan Festival 2026? To position Thailand as a leader in health innovation and a new economic engine.
- How much funding is being allocated to medical and health R&D? Approximately 16.085 billion baht between 2063-2069.
- What is the SRI’s role in this initiative? The SRI is the central agency driving the science, research, and innovation system in Thailand.
- How will this benefit SMEs? By connecting them with new technologies and funding opportunities to improve their competitiveness.
Pro Tip: Explore opportunities for collaboration with research institutions and government agencies to access funding and expertise for your innovation projects.
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