Yotsanan joined the launch of the Smart Agriculture Industry project, partnering with the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and Mahidol University to promote BCG agriculture. The initiative spotlights mushrooms as a high-value raw material for global markets and positions him as a coordinator among all agencies to enable Thai innovations to genuinely compete on the world stage.
At 09:30 on 21 March 2026 GMT+7 Mr. Yotsanan Wongsawat, party-list MP of the Pheu Thai Party and former Vice President for Research at Mahidol University, posted photos and a message after attending the event at Mahidol University, Salaya. The ceremony was chaired by Mr. Kriangkrai Thiananukul, President of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), together with Professor Dr. Piyamit Sritara, President of Mahidol University, to officially launch the Smart Agriculture Industry (SAI) project at the Siriruksa Nature Park, Salaya, aiming to create an Open Innovation prototype following the BCG economic model, focusing on biotechnology and AI to develop mushrooms as a pilot high-value raw material for future industries. The project highlights Made in Thailand (MiT) products to reduce raw material imports and pushes Thailand toward the Net Zero target by transforming Siree Park into a Sandbox to nurture virtual innovation. This integrates expertise in life sciences, linking advanced research to practical industrial applications efficiently.
Mr. Yotsanan emphasized the need to "move the country forward" with goals centered on the Wellness Economy and nutrition security, which will be the foundation for future success. He said he has received the blueprint from the Federation of Thai Industries and is ready to serve as a central facilitator to unlock laws and regulations through a Regulatory Sandbox—using digital adjustments and drafting new legislation concurrently—to create a flexible and timely innovation ecosystem aligned with private sector needs.
He also stressed the importance of increasing productivity through Smart Agriculture and AI to address the challenges of an aging farming population. Additionally, he advocates for comprehensive research funding covering all stages—from deep, internationally standardized research to adding value and securing Geographical Indications (GI) for Thai herbs to strengthen their geopolitical negotiating power. The project extends collaboration to universities nationwide to restore fairness and build clear career paths for Thai scientists as Product Owners, ready to convert the country's biodiversity into innovations that generate real economic value. He expressed willingness to coordinate with various administrative and legislative bodies to elevate human capital and national security in all aspects.
"I want to see scientists become Product Owners. We have many talented personnel. Our role is to create careers and an ecosystem that supports them in producing innovations with global standards. This effort undeniably requires targeted support. With a clear Wellness Economy goal, research investment must cover the entire chain—from upstream research, through midstream production, to downstream global marketing. This is Thailand's new milestone for achieving nutrition security and advancing toward Net Zero simultaneously. My team and I are ready to act as the central coordinator among all agencies to ensure Thai innovations can truly compete on the global stage."
