Thailand Approves Three New Economic Engines to Drive High-Income Jobs and Agricultural Value

Key summary

Prof. Dr. Yochanan Wongswati, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (HESI), presided over the 4th meeting of the HECSI Policy Council in 2026. The council approved a national plan titled 'Thailand: Nation of Master' driven by three new economic engines: Siam Silica, Siam Medica, and Siam Terra. These initiatives aim to create high-skill jobs, increase agricultural product value, and address environmental issues like forest fires. Key actions include establishing an integrated One-Stop National GEd Office for genetic modification, accelerating health claim approvals, setting up a Quantum Economy committee, and approving two flagship technology projects: a domestic heat detection sensor system for forest fire monitoring (operational from February) and the Artemis project with NASA.