Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn led discussions with three ministries and partnered with Thai Airways to advance the national agenda "Thai Helps Thai," aiming to remove air cargo transport restrictions, enabling exports of high-value exotic animals and medicinal herbs, with the goal of attracting substantial revenue to the country and strengthening the national airline.
Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, revealed after chairing the meeting on "Promoting Thai Export Products via Thai Airways," attended by Ms. Supamas Isarapakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, representatives from the Ministry of Commerce, and Thai Airways Public Company Limited, to integrate cooperation and explore opportunities for air cargo exports.
This meeting is considered a national agenda under the concept "Thai Helps Thai," with the Ministry of Transport acting as a coordinator to align exporters’ needs with the capabilities of the national airline, focusing on transporting two main high-value product groups with strong potential to generate revenue for the country.
Previously, Thai operators had to rely on neighboring countries’ airlines to export high-value live animals due to certain restrictions. However, following recent discussions, Thai Airways has agreed to become the transporter of exotic and contest animals.
These animals include native chickens, contest chickens, ornamental fish (such as fighting fish), spotted doves, and flowerpeckers, which are highly popular in ASEAN markets, especially Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia, both as breeding stock and for singing contests. Each animal can be valued from hundreds of thousands to millions of baht.
Transporting these animals by air requires utmost care, with designated special areas on planes and timely delivery. All animals must be vaccinated and pass 100% correct animal quarantine procedures to ensure disease prevention and animal welfare.
Ms. Supamas Isarapakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, has helped address and clarify Thai Airways’ transport restrictions.on Thai medicinal herb products.Following close discussions, Thai Airways has agreed to handle the transport of Thai medicinal herbs to foreign markets.
This unlocking marks an important step to support entrepreneurs, as these products have export values worth several billion baht annually and will help advance the Thai medical and herbal industry to grow and compete globally.
Phiphat concluded, "The Ministry of Transport is pleased to coordinate cooperation among entrepreneurs, government, and the national airline. Today’s outcome is good news that Thai Airways is ready to transport both product groups. This initiative will not only bring foreign revenue directly to Thai farmers, breeders, and entrepreneurs but also strengthen Thai Airways for sustainable growth."
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