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The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) and the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) have joined forces to harness science, technology and innovation in transforming industrial estates nationwide, driving sustainable growth and global competitiveness.
The partnership aims to advance artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, helping Thai small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) evolve into Smart Factories, while fostering long-term competitiveness, workforce readiness and resilience in the industrial sector.
The collaboration was formalised during a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing at the IEAT headquarters, under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), in partnership with the Ministry of Industry.
The MoU focuses on academic cooperation and the application of technology and innovation to enhance the competitiveness of industrial operators in Thailand, while promoting sustainable growth and knowledge sharing across the sector.
Mr Sumet Tangprasert, Governor of IEAT, highlighted that modern manufacturing now relies on automation systems, robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT) and AI to boost efficiency, improve accuracy and reduce costs.
Overseeing more than 5,700 industrial estates and factories, IEAT emphasises building a robust ecosystem and supply chain, facilitating business matching between SMEs and multinational corporations (MNCs) in sectors such as automotive, electronics and processed food.
The IEAT Academy, as a central hub for workforce development, is focused on reskilling, upskilling and cultivating deep technical expertise. The Academy acts as a bridge between innovation institutions, entrepreneurs and government agencies to ensure the workforce adapts to emerging technologies.
Professor Dr Chookiat Limpichamnong, Director of NSTDA, said the partnership consolidates national research capabilities with agencies supporting industrial development, aligning with government policy to advance the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economy and an innovation-driven economy.
“Bringing science, technology and innovation to industrial estates will be a key driver for innovation-led industry, directly contributing to sustainable economic growth,” he said.
NSTDA will leverage its knowledge, research infrastructure, personnel and network of experts from five national centres to support the initiative. The collaboration will focus on applying advanced technologies to enhance production efficiency, reduce costs and create added value for entrepreneurs. Workforce development tailored to target industries is also a priority.
The initiative will begin with in-depth consultations and business matching activities across four pilot industrial estates: Lat Krabang, Northern, Laem Chabang and Bang Pu. The aim is to generate tangible benefits for Thailand’s industrial sector while promoting the nationwide adoption of Smart Factory practices.
Thailand is increasingly keen to deploy technology and smart innovation across multiple sectors, from manufacturing to logistics, energy and construction. As an example, the Department of Engineering, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (DIE), is advancing a nationwide network of ready-mixed concrete testing laboratories, integrating innovative practices and smart capabilities to upgrade standards and coverage across the country.
The Department of Science Service (DSS), MHESI, hosted a conference and academic seminar on “Developing and Strengthening the Capacity of Thailand’s Ready-Mixed Concrete Testing Laboratory Network”.
Dr Pojaman Thachin, Deputy Director-General and Acting Director-General of DSS, highlighted that the initiative aims to modernise the testing network, incorporating digital data management systems, automated testing procedures and real-time quality monitoring.
The platform will also serve as a central hub for exchanging information among regulatory agencies, experts and laboratory representatives nationwide, supporting the country’s National Quality Infrastructure (NQI).
With ready-mixed concrete widely used in critical projects, integrating smart technologies ensures precise, consistent and accessible testing, supporting a systematic, innovation-driven laboratory network that enhances infrastructure, quality and Thailand’s competitiveness.
By combining strategic partnerships, advanced technologies and smart innovation, Thailand is laying the foundation for a more resilient, competitive and future-ready industrial ecosystem. These initiatives demonstrate the country’s commitment to sustainable growth and adoption of digital and automated solutions.
Source: OpenGov Asia Thailand: Smart Innovation for a Future-Ready Industrial Ecosystem (25 February, 2026)