ประธาน ส.อ.ท. ร่วมสัมมนา “Thailand Future Signal 2026 จับสัญญาณอนาคต ก้าวใหม่เศรษฐกิจไทย”FTI President Participates in Seminar “Thailand Future Signal 2026: Catching Future Signals for the Next Step in the Thai Economy”

On November 10, 2025, Mr. Kriangkrai Theeranukul, President of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), had the honor of serving as a speaker at the seminar titled “Risk Signals and Opportunity Signals of Thai Industry on a New Crossroad: Production, Investment, and Technology in 2026.” The event was graced by Dr. Aekniti Nitiprasat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, who delivered the opening keynote address on “Global and Thai Economic Signals: Reading the Crisis Game and Turning It into Economic Opportunities for Thailand” at the "iBusiness Forum: Thailand Future Signal 2026" organized by iBusiness Publishing, part of the Manager Online Group, at Meeting Room (MR) 210-211, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

Mr. Kriangkrai painted an overview of the Thai economy for 2025, revealing that Thailand's GDP this year indicates a significant slowdown, with the first quarter at 3.2%, the second quarter at 2.8%, the third quarter at 1.7%, and the fourth quarter at 0.3%.

Thus, the Thai economy today can be likened to a “stuck vehicle” requiring enormous effort to pull it up, reflecting the necessity to accelerate policy measures from the government. Consequently, the government announced the “Quick Big Win” policy to revive the economy, increase income, reduce expenses, address debt, improve liquidity, and restore tourism as a vital driving force once again.

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), without prompt adjustments, GDP will drop from the second position to fifth within ASEAN by 2030, serving as a warning signal for us to “change the game” to maintain the country's competitive capacity.

Meanwhile, the Joint Private Sector Committee of three organizations (JSCCIB) anticipates that the GDP for 2025 will grow only 1.8–2.2%, while several factors need to be monitored, including:
• The unemployment rate stands at 2.1% (the highest in two years), particularly among industrial workers and fresh graduates.
• Exports are expected to grow 9.5–10.5%, but mostly consist of products with low local content and gold, which do not add value.
• Inflation is between -0.1% and 0.1% due to stabilizing energy prices and declining purchasing power.
• Support from the government’s “Quick Big Win” and state measures, such as the co-payment initiative and support for SMEs and Made in Thailand (MiT), will be crucial drivers supporting the Thai economy in 2025 to grow close to 2.5%.

Furthermore, FTI aims to drive the development of the Thai industry by upgrading traditional industries (First Industries) through four main strategies, termed “4GO,” which includes:
• GO Digital & AI: Enhancing industries with digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI).
• GO Innovation: Creating “small but mighty” entrepreneurs through innovation.
• GO Global: Developing Thai products and services to expand opportunities in the global market.
• GO Green: Driving organizations toward sustainable development and adapting to the net-zero greenhouse gas emission goal by 2050 (previously set for 2065) ahead of schedule by 15 years.

To elevate competitive capabilities to new or next-generation industries through innovation and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

At the same time, FTI has proposed policy recommendations to the government, including:
• Next-Gen Industry: Restructuring the industry and upgrading technology and innovation.
• Regulatory Reform: Reforming laws, addressing corruption, and reducing redundancy within the bureaucratic system.
• BCG Model: Supporting a circular economy and sustainability.
• Free Trade Area (FTA): Accelerating negotiations to expand export markets.
• Infrastructure: Developing infrastructure, including rail systems, roads, and ports.
• Human Development: Enhancing skills and potential of the workforce.