ส.อ.ท. ถกพรรคไทยสร้างไทย เดินหน้าฟื้นเศรษฐกิจ ยกระดับอุตสาหกรรมสู่มาตรฐานโลกFTI Discusses with the Thai Build Thailand Party to Drive Economic Recovery and Elevate Industry to Global Standards

On December 12, 2025, Mr. Kriangkrai Theeranukul, Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), along with the executive team of FTI, welcomed the executive team of the Thai Build Thailand Party led by Dr. Phokin Polakul, Chairman of the Party's Strategy, to meet and discuss ways to drive Thai industry at the Passion Room (802), 8th floor of FTI.

Mr. Kriangkrai Theeranukul commented that the current Thai economic situation resembles a “vehicle stuck in a rut” that requires significant effort to pull out, highlighting the urgent need to drive government policy. The government has announced the “Quick Big Win” policy aimed at economic recovery, increasing income, reducing expenses, addressing debt, enhancing liquidity, and revitalizing the tourism sector as a vital driver once again.

At the same time, Mr. Kriangkrai highlighted the challenges facing the Thai industrial sector, which include: 1) the United States' tax measures 2) the issue of dumped products and export rights abuses 3) geopolitical tensions 4) disputes along borders 5) household and business debt 6) the appreciation of the Thai Baht 7) effects from climate change 8) gray businesses and cybercrime, as well as structural issues such as an aging society, the middle-income trap, education system, politics, unbalanced budgeting, corruption, and outdated laws.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kriangkrai proposed a strategy to elevate Thai businesses to international standards through the 4GO approach, which includes: 1) Go Digital & AI to enhance the industry with digital and AI technology 2) Go Innovation to create outstanding “small but powerful” entrepreneurs through innovation 3) Go Global to develop Thai products and services for international markets, and 4) Go Green to drive organizations towards sustainability and achieve Net Zero by 2050.

The 4GO approach is encompassed within FTI's ONE FTI policy, which aims to enhance the competitiveness of Thai entrepreneurs through cooperation between the government, the private sector, and civil society to make Thailand even stronger.

Regarding the acceleration of Thai industry, Mr. Kriangkrai identified three key objectives:

•  Enhance the country's competitiveness by pushing the IMD assessment score to reach the TOP 20 ranking from the current rank of 30.

•  Promote economic growth to expand at a rate of 5%.

•  Achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs) by accelerating the Net Zero target to the year 2050 from the previous target of 2065.

Additionally, recommendations for the development of the Thai industry are categorized into eight areas, including:

1)  Improve laws and regulations to enhance ease of doing business through Omnibus Laws, Regulatory Guillotine, and push for the facilitation Act bill.

2)  Develop personnel, increase labor productivity, and address labor shortages by determining minimum wages according to the powers of the Tripartite Committee and promoting wages based on skill standards.

3)  Manage energy, support energy transition by revisiting the national energy plan, energy structure, and reducing energy costs.

4)  Promote exports, trade, and investment in S-Curve industries, including accelerating free trade negotiations (FTA) and enhancing privileges for Made in Thailand (MiT) products.

5)  Elevate industries with technology, innovation, and digital support for Digital Transformation and industrial innovation challenges, including precision agriculture technology.

6)  Develop sustainable industries based on BCG & ESG concepts, manage water systematically, prepare for climate change measures, and manage industrial waste for new benefits.

7)  Enhance the potential of SMEs, pushing them to access public procurement, expand benefits to SMEs Group M, along with Soft Loan measures and credit assistance.

8)  Develop the logistics infrastructure and industrial areas, adjust special economic zones to fit current situations, and enhance logistics efficiency to support trade and exports.

Regarding the economic and industrial policy of the Thai Build Thailand Party, Dr. Phokin Polakul mentioned that

“I and the Thai Build Thailand Party team would like to thank the executives of the Federation of Thai Industries for honoring us with the opportunity to exchange views on driving the Thai industry. The proposals and approaches reflected align closely with the party's policies to address the significant issues facing the country currently and in the future, categorized into the following points: 1) Politics and corruption in the bureaucracy 2) Weak economic structure across the board, including the industrial, agricultural, and service sectors, alongside laws that do not facilitate ease of doing business 3) The backward education system that remains rote-learning 4) Uncertain global regulations, including trade wars 5) Global warming and pandemics,” Dr. Phokin stated.

Dr. Phokin continued, “Thailand has experienced democracy for 93 years. The focus of the Thai Build Thailand Party will be to drive the country through the challenges mentioned above, with the main goal of ensuring that citizens are secure, have quality of life, and are not impoverished. Together with Khunying Sudarat Keyurapan, we have continuously analyzed and identified ways to address these issues, including:

•  Establish a welfare state that is not populist.

•  Reform education to minimize the burden of educational loans, ensuring graduates find employment; skills and experience become the main focus.

In terms of elevating the competency of small businesses and the grassroots economy, which is an important issue that continues to face challenges, especially access to low-interest funding, lack of knowledge, and lack of marketing channels, the establishment of funds to assist development should be initiated, including three funds: 1) SME Development Fund 2) Startup Development Fund 3) Tourism Business Development Fund.

“Regarding the problem of addressing corruption, I would like to request support from everyone. I believe there should be a National Anti-Corruption Commission comprising representatives from all professional organizations, acting as a citizens' council to combat corruption. Moreover, public service agencies' performance should be evaluated based on their service quality since I see state agencies as a central point for the public,” Dr. Phokin further elaborated.

Dr. Phokin concluded by expressing the party's stance, saying, “We invite our fellow Thai citizens to join together, utilize your strengths as candles to illuminate the entire land to drive away the darkness of corrupt political systems, corrupt bureaucracies, and deceitful processes that rob you of your money, happiness, and security in life. Do not allow anyone to take the money stolen from you to buy your loyalty. We must wake up from complacency and join together to build an honest society for our families and pass on this beautiful society to our children.”

.................................................................................................................................................................

Published by the Corporate Communication Department, Federation of Thai Industries (Tel. 0-2345-1051)