Introducing Naiwut Wongkomet, a Thai leader in microchip design, as the 10th member of The Professionals and candidate for Industry Minister with the People’s Party.
On 15 Jan 2026 GMT+7, the People’s Party (PCh) launched the final episode of its “The Professionals” campaign, unveiling Naiwut Wongkomet, co-founder of Silicon Craft, a Thai microchip design leader exporting to over 40 countries worldwide. He joined the new economic team as advisor on new industry, research, and innovation. It is anticipated that Naiwut will be the People’s Party’s candidate for Minister of Industry if the party forms government, aiming to establish a “new engine” for Thailand’s economy.
Naiwut Wongkomet is an expert in technology and innovation, especially in the semiconductor (microchip) industry. He holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Chulalongkorn University and a PhD in electrical engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, USA.
Naiwut co-founded and served as chairman of Silicon Craft Technology PLC (SICT), a Thai microchip design company exporting products to over 40 countries. He has also been an assistant professor at the Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, and served as vice president of the Thai Semiconductor Industry Association.
Naiwut entered politics by joining the People’s Party through “The Professionals” campaign as part of the “people’s government management team.” He was appointed advisor on new industry, research, and innovation, and is widely expected to be the People’s Party’s candidate for Minister of Industry in the 2026 election. His vision is to transform Thailand’s economy from a "Made in Thailand" contract manufacturer into an innovation creator, driven by advanced research and deep technology. In the party’s introductory graphic, Naiwut described himself as "driving Thailand’s new industries to compete globally through innovation."
At the People’s Party “The Professionals” campaign launch, Naiwut emphasized that building new industries in the country means applying knowledge and innovation to industrial development. These industries may be traditional sectors like automotive or electronics, where upstream design efforts must be increased. The goal is to strengthen the domestic supply chain and increase added value within the country—fortifying existing industries to later produce new related products.
For example, Thailand serves as a hub for household electrical appliances, where increased local design could be developed. Emerging industries might include pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, or smart grid devices. These represent opportunities to leap into new sectors. Naiwut views all of these as new industries fundamentally based on knowledge, research, and innovation to strengthen the nation’s industrial base.
