Industry Minister Akanat highlighted the government’s decisive enforcement measures to regulate Thailand’s industrial sector, aimed at ensuring economic and environmental sustainability – and vowing to crack down on grey businesses to prevent Thailand from becoming a transit point for illegal goods.
A central element of his plan is tackling “zero-sum industries” – sectors that produce low-quality goods, lack environmental responsibility, and often contribute to the illicit economy. Strict enforcement of laws surrounding product quality and waste management is a priority.
Thailand’s Industry Minister Akanat Promphan pushes for a green industrial revolution
Thailand’s Industry Minister Akanat Promphan has outlined a bold plan to drive the nation’s industrial sector toward sustainability, innovation, and circular growth, announcing a “swift transition to a green economy” at the Road to Net Zero 2025: Thailand Green Action forum this week.
Akanat said, “the certainty in an uncertain situation is uncertainty itself, and Thailand’s resilience depends on how fast we adapt.”
Citing global shifts — from geopolitical tension to climate and technology disruption — the Minister warned that Thailand’s old economic model, driven by consumption and debt, is unsustainable. He called on the private sector to lead the next growth phase by building high-value, export-driven, and environmentally responsible industries.
“We are not competing to produce the cheapest goods, but to produce the right goods,” he said, pledging tougher enforcement on low-quality and polluting “zero-sum” industries.
Akanat’s roadmap centres on three priorities:
- Waste Management and Recycling: A new Industrial Waste Management Act will tighten licensing and enforce circular-economy standards.
- Green Finance: The government plans to launch an Industrial Sustainability Fund to help firms adopt cleaner technologies, with Thai banks expected to support transition finance.
- Renewable Energy: Sugarcane waste will be converted into biomass power to cut pollution and create new income for farmers.
Akanat stressed that achieving net zero is now essential for global competitiveness, not just environmental duty. His vision positions Thailand to emerge as a regional leader in green manufacturing and clean innovation, aligning its industrial transformation with the demands of a decarbonising global economy.
Australian companies and organisations active in Thailand in the fields of waste management/recycling, green finance and renewable energy—plus a snapshot of what they’re doing:
- Green Gold Energy (GGE)
- Area: Renewable energy / solar + battery systems
- What they’re doing: Partnered with Sunshine Beach Resort & Residence in Phuket to install a 1 MW solar + battery micro‑grid system. Green Gold Energy
- Why it matters: Demonstrates Australian clean‑tech firms are executing in Thailand’s clean‑energy market.
- Asia Pacific Waste Consultants (APWC)
- Area: Waste management / recycling consultancy
- What they’re doing: An Australian firm specialising in waste and recovery systems across Asia; although I couldn’t locate a specific Thai facility, the firm is positioned for regional operations. apwc.com.au
- Why it matters: Shows Australian expertise in waste management is being marketed for ASEAN/Thailand opportunity.
- Export Finance Australia (EFA)
- Area: Green/clean‑energy finance
- What they’re doing: EFA provided a US$79 million loan to a Thai company (Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited) to support 8 solar + 4 solar+BESS (battery energy storage system) projects in Thailand. exportfinance.gov.au+1
- Why it matters: This is a major Australian‑sourced finance component for Thailand’s renewable energy build‑out.
- FinTech Australia (and related Australian fintech ecosystem)
- Area: Green finance / digital economy
- What they’re doing: Australia and Thailand signed an MoU to collaborate on fintech capability (which ties into green finance, digital economy). thailand.embassy.gov.au+1
- Why it matters: While not purely “green finance” in the renewable energy sense, this shows Australian firms are participating in the financial‐digital infrastructure side of Thailand’s sustainability transition.
- CBRE Group (Australian‑registered branch)
- Area: Waste management / sustainability services
- What they’re doing: CBRE Thailand donated recycling bins and ran educative sessions on waste separation in Bangkok schools. cbre.com.au+1
- Why it matters: Indicates Australian business footprint includes sustainability services (waste/recycling) in Thailand.
Australian Businesses GO-OUT and connect on the ground:
In March and July 2026 FutureNow Green News is organising Business-Match Thailand Trips for Australian Start-Ups & Scaleups & Serial Entrepreneurs to be escorted to Energy & Innovations Expos & Conferences, have one-on-one Media Interviews, and meet your next Business partner. EOI EMAIL to Ani@futurenowgreennews.com
Australia Chamber of Commerce Thailand in Bangkok: HERE>>
Australia Embassy Thailand: Events, News: HERE>
