PM Anutin backs FTAs to deepen Thailand’s role in global supply chains
At the Prime Minister’s Export Award 2026 ceremony, Anutin linked lower tariff barriers to more overseas orders and outlined the government’s new-economy drive.
- Prime Minister Anutin is championing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) as a primary government strategy to deepen Thailand's integration into global supply chains, shifting focus from pure export volume.
- The government is accelerating FTA negotiations to eliminate significant tariff barriers (some as high as 25%), which would allow Thai raw materials and products to become a greater part of overseas production chains.
- Anutin asserts that successful FTAs can increase bilateral trade three- to fivefold and build investor confidence in using Thailand as a production and export base.
- According to the Prime Minister, trading partners have expressed strong demand for Thai goods and are urging the swift completion of FTAs to increase their orders and production.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul presided over the Prime Minister’s Export Award 2026 ceremony on Friday (August 7, 2026) at the Santi Maitri Building, Government House.
Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun attended with senior government officials, private-sector executives, ambassadors and entrepreneurs.
Congratulating the recipients, Anutin described the award as a testament to the determination, creativity and competitiveness of Thai entrepreneurs.
These qualities have helped Thai products gain recognition in global markets as the world economy changes rapidly and global production structures are reorganised.
He said national competitiveness was no longer solely about achieving the highest possible export volume, but about integrating more deeply and broadly into the global supply chain, spanning raw materials, components and technology through to products and high-value services.
The government has prioritised creating an investment-friendly environment through infrastructure, energy, regulations and links between Thai businesses and overseas markets, to make Thailand a key regional production and export base.
It is accelerating trade opportunities through free trade agreements (FTAs) with major countries and regions, while seeking to make full use of existing agreements.
FTAs can lower costs, open new markets and build confidence among investors seeking to use Thailand as a production base for exports.
During overseas visits to meet business operators, it was found that many large companies were Thai-owned and wanted to use raw materials or components from Thailand, but were still held back by tariff barriers.
If FTA negotiations with Europe succeed, some tariffs of up to 25% would be eliminated immediately.
Thai products such as cooking oil, fish, meat, prawns, packaging and raw materials would have greater opportunities to become part of overseas production chains.
If tariff barriers remained, buyers would be less likely to place orders for Thai products.
“I have met trading partners in many countries, and no one has complained that Thai products lack quality. They have only asked us to complete FTAs quickly so they can increase production, place more orders and use more goods from Thailand,” Anutin said.
The prime minister said that when an FTA with any country progressed successfully, bilateral trade value could grow three- to fivefold.
The result would extend beyond export figures to employment, income and opportunities for Thais to become part of supply chains for leading products worldwide.
The government is also pressing ahead with building a new economy through digital industries, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, advanced electronics, electric vehicles, biotechnology, modern medicine, the green economy and clean energy, so that Thailand is not merely a manufacturer producing to order, but a creator of innovation and added value.
The prime minister said Thai entrepreneurs must have at least as much confidence in Thai products as foreign trading partners.
At every forum attended by the government, all sides consistently affirmed that Thai products were of high quality, were in demand and had considerable room for growth.
If Thais supported one another alongside exports, this strength would grow enormously.
The government is ready to do its part by opening doors to global markets and connecting Thailand to global supply chains, while the private sector must continue to innovate, maintain quality, strengthen brands and expand operations.
“The government has already ensured that infrastructure and energy are in place to support you. I ask entrepreneurs to think about expanding their operations, developing their businesses and adding value to their products. This government will serve as the vehicle for you to drive in the direction you want,” Anutin said.
