The Department of Intellectual Property revealed the success of promoting Thailand's local identity products to register as Geographical Indications (GI), with product values increasing up to 660%. The “Tha Uthen Pineapple” of Nakhon Phanom was the top performer. For 2026, the department plans to register 26 new products, aiming to increase revenue by 2.6 billion baht and push total GI product income close to 85 billion baht.
Oramon Sapthaweetham, Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property at the Ministry of Commerce, told Thairath about the 2026 plans to promote and push Geographical Indication (GI) products. After 2025, the department helped register 25 new local identity products linked to their geographical characteristics and local wisdom as GI products, generating over 6.1 billion baht in economic value for farmers and local entrepreneurs. This brought Thailand's total GI products to 239, with a combined value exceeding 82 billion baht.
"In 2026, we will continue to promote GI products comprehensively, including product registration, quality control, and commercial utilization promotion. GI products play a vital role in upgrading community goods, creating added value, and driving the local economy. This leads to improved quality of life for people, builds consumer confidence, and expands marketing channels more widely," she said.
GI products achieve up to 660% added value increase.
Oramon added that department analysis shows GI registration truly multiplies product value many times over. The top 10 Thai GI products with the highest added value increases are: 1. Tha Uthen Pineapple, Nakhon Phanom, increased value by 660%, from 5 baht to 38 baht per kilogram; 2. Ban Mai Lamud, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, up 550%, from 10 baht to 60 baht per kilogram; 3. Songkhla Mango, up 471.43%, from 35 baht to 200 baht per kilogram; 4. Yok Malabri Nan (traditional blanket of the Malabri tribe or Tong Lueang), up 400%, from 500 baht to 2,500 baht per piece.
5. Mae La Snakehead Fish, Sing Buri, increased 400%, from 60 baht to 300 baht per kilogram; 6. Na Mo Ma Horse Grass Mat, Amnat Charoen, up 337.50%, from 160 baht to 700 baht per piece; 7. Nonthaburi Durian, increased 300%, from 500 baht to 2,000 baht per kilogram; 8. Tha Khoi Pomelo, Phichit, up 300%, from 5 baht to 20 baht per kilogram; 9. Natural Indigo Fabric, Sakon Nakhon, increased 300%, from 350 baht to 1,400 baht per piece; and 10. Sangkhalok Pottery, Sukhothai, up 290.63%, from 640 baht to 2,500 baht per piece.
“GI registration acts as a seal certifying products as genuine, high-quality, and unique to their locality, which significantly raises their value. Consumers trust the origin and unique quality, giving GI products a competitive advantage. GI-registered products are distinctive and hard to imitate. As a result, in 2025, Thai GI products generated over 82 billion baht in revenue,” she explained.
For 2026, 26 new registrations planned.
For 2026, Oramon said the department aims to register 26 GI products from 23 provinces, including Chumphon Swe Pineapple, Bang Sadet Court Doll from Ang Thong, Khlong Hat Rose Apple from Sa Kaeo, Wiang Kaen Pomelo from Chiang Rai, Flowing Water Tilapia from Betong, Yala, Seven-Color Lobster from Phuket, Ban Klang Earthen Mortar from Nakhon Phanom, Lacquer-dyed Fabric from Lampang, Two-Water Barramundi from Samut Prakan, Sweet Watermelon from Yasothon, Ban Pha Lid Fish and Coconut Blossom Water from Ban Pha Lid, Samut Sakhon, Fresh Sugar from Koei Chai, Nakhon Sawan,
as well as Kla Sribunruang Products from Nong Bua Lamphu, Ban Wang Sa Pomelo from Phitsanulok, Ko Kret Red Tea from Nonthaburi, Kapi from Koi Tad Dam, Samut Songkhram, Warich Milk and Indigo Meat from Sakon Nakhon, Black Lime from Damnoen Saduak and Nam Dok Mai Mango from Ratchaburi, Water Yam from That Phanom, Nakhon Phanom, Liver Mushroom from Sam Ruan, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Ma Pid Orange from Chanthaburi, Krajud from Khuan Khreng, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Pepper from Su-ngai Upe, Satun. These are expected to increase market value by no less than 2.6 billion baht.
“Combined with the total market value of Thai GI products, this will generate nearly 85 billion baht in revenue, helping raise the incomes of farmers and entrepreneurs and strengthening the grassroots economy sustainably,” she said.
Additionally, the department will file two GI registration applications abroad: Sangyod Rice from Phatthalung in Japan, and Golden Nam Dok Mai Mango from Phitsanulok in Malaysia. Currently, 27 applications have been submitted internationally, with 18 registrations granted covering 10 products in 33 countries including the European Union, China, Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Nine applications covering eight products in 30 countries are still under review.
Quality control and market expansion.
Oramon added that after promoting GI registration, the department helps control and inspect product quality standards at both national and international levels. Domestically, it has established a system and inspections for GI product quality control, proposing the setup of GI product inspection committees and provincial committees to regulate and authorize the use of the Thai GI logo.
Furthermore, quality control is enhanced through GI SMARTTRACE technology that enables traceability back to the production source, increasing consumer confidence. In 2025, this was piloted with Nonthaburi Durian and will expand in 2026 to Kiriwong Mountain Mangosteen and salted mackerel from Tak Bai. On the international level, the department supports entrepreneurs in certifying their control systems to meet global standards to reassure consumers.
At the same time, new regulations allow the use of a new GI logo format for products that process or use GI products as raw materials. This helps entrepreneurs develop diversified products from GI goods and promotes commercial use by expanding marketing channels both domestically and internationally, through online and offline platforms.
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