Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce delivered a special lecture at the CIPITC Symposium 2026, emphasizing "intellectual property" as a key mechanism driving the modern economy and elevating Thai products and entrepreneurs to the global stage on the 29th anniversary of the Intellectual Property and International Trade Court.
On 25 June 2026 GMT+7 Ms. Supachai Sutthumpun, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, sent a video message delivering a special lecture at the CIPITC Symposium 2026 titled “Navigating the New Frontier of IP and Trade Laws: Exploring New Boundaries of Intellectual Property and International Trade Law,” commemorating the 29th anniversary of the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court. She emphasized the role of intellectual property in driving the nation's trade economy and enhancing the competitiveness of Thai products and entrepreneurs globally, held at the Grand Center Point Prestige Hotel, Bangkok.
In that address, Ms. Supachai Sutthumpun, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, shared the joyous news that Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya was invited by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to serve as the world's first Ambassador for Fashion and Design in late May. WIPO recognized her brilliance and vision in leveraging intellectual property to create added value for Thai people and products, as well as her dedication to continuing the legacy of Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, in community and local product development. The princess has registered 541 intellectual property items under her name, covering copyrights, patents, and trademarks. The royal-patterned fabrics have generated income for over 800,000 households nationwide, with an economic value exceeding 200 billion baht.
On this occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce highlighted the role of the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court as a pillar of Thailand’s intellectual property and international trade legal system. It fosters confidence among entrepreneurs, investors, and creators domestically and internationally. In an era where creativity, technology, and innovation are crucial factors in global economic competition, effective rights protection and a credible justice process form the foundation for promoting trade, investment, and enhancing the country's competitiveness. This aligns with the Ministry of Commerce's approach to using intellectual property as a tool to generate economic added value.
The Ministry of Commerce is driving the economy through five key policies, using intellectual property as the supporting mechanism:
Managing living costs and creating income, raising awareness of intellectual property’s value, and promoting marketing channels.
Increasing the value of agricultural products by using Geographic Indication (GI) protection to enhance quality and add value by 2 to 5 times.
Strengthening SMEs by advancing the IP Finance project to use intellectual property as collateral to access funding.
Balancing exports by linking Thai businesses to global production chains through Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations emphasizing intellectual property.
Upgrading service technology by unlocking regulations and applying technology to facilitate trade.
These approaches demonstrate that intellectual property work closely aligns with the Ministry of Commerce’s mission. Currently, Thailand has entered a new dimension where intellectual property not only protects creators’ rights but also serves as an asset that creates economic value, attracts investment, expands trade opportunities, strengthens local economies, and lays a foundation for sustainable long-term growth, Ms. Supachai concluded.
Meanwhile, Ms. Oraphan Subthaweetham, Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property, gave a keynote speech entitled “Crossing New Frontiers with Thai Intellectual Property.” She stated that the department has fully transformed its operations to establish a comprehensive intellectual property infrastructure (IP Infrastructure) to help Thai entrepreneurs use intellectual property as a tool to create economic value.
Ms. Oraphan explained that the department focuses on three main areas:
Reforming the registration system with intelligent digital technology, applying AI technology to assist in data searches and application examinations, while developing e-Filing and Fast Track services to enable businesses to commercially utilize IP more quickly.
Enhancing the economy through innovation (IP Finance). Preparing a pilot project in Q4 of 2026 to test mechanisms for valuing intellectual property as financial collateral, initially in the medical and food industries.
Legal reforms, progressing with amendments to patent, copyright, and Geographic Indication (GI) laws, as well as drafting legislation on copyright usage remuneration to align with technology and international practices.
Ms. Oraphan said that advancing Thailand’s intellectual property work to keep pace with the new economy requires cooperation from all sectors. Over nearly three decades, the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court has played a crucial role in supporting the country’s IP system development—building confidence in rights protection, trade, and investment, as well as improving enforcement practices and legal effectiveness. These foundations help drive growth in Thailand’s innovation-based and creative economies steadily and sustainably.
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