Rush hour! “Ajarn Chen” took the BTS Skytrain from Punnawithi to Siam to open SITE 2026, energizing Thai startups to advance innovation on the global stage and declaring the milestone year of innovation investment.
On 25 June 2026, Yotsanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), representing the Prime Minister, presided over the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote address titled “Unlocking Thai Startups for the Global Market.” The event, organized by the National Innovation Agency (NIA) under MHESI, is the Startup x Innovation Thailand Expo 2026 (SITE 2026), themed “Global Innovation Impact: The Year of Investment.” Attendees included Labor Minister Chulaphan Amornwiwat, Dr. Sriyada Palimapun, advisor to the MHESI Minister, Deputy Secretary-General of the Prime Minister's Office for Political Affairs Sukit Srijomkwan, Professor (Research) Dr. Chutima Iamchoochawalit, Chair of the National Innovation Board, Dr. Kritphaka Boonfuang, NIA Director, representatives from embassies and diplomatic missions, as well as executives from government, private sectors, investors, and innovators.
Before the opening ceremony, Yotsanan delivered a special keynote titled “Unlocking Thai Startups for the Global Market,” stating that SITE is an international event enabling startups to meet and exchange ideas to foster new innovations and technologies. The government is accelerating the creation of a “new economic engine” by developing the startup and innovation ecosystem alongside human capital development to nurture a new generation with an entrepreneurial mindset, capable of turning knowledge into business and economic value. MHESI through NIA operates the Startup Thailand League mechanism, granting equal opportunity nationwide—from the North, Central, South, to Northeast regions—to access investment and incubation. He said they aim to make the Startup Thailand League a league of hope, expanding it nationally and across Asia.
Yotsanan added that the government also prioritizes promoting Deep Tech and entrepreneurs with proprietary technology, as well as expanding access to science, research, and innovation through regional science parks, enabling entrepreneurs and communities across regions to access advanced tools and technologies more effectively.
Yotsanan emphasized that Thai entrepreneurs must look beyond the domestic market of about 60 million people to the ASEAN market of over 600 million and expand globally, leveraging Thailand’s strengths such as biodiversity, production capacity, and readiness to serve as a regional hub for investment and innovation.
“The government wants to see more Thai startups grow into unicorns and foster cooperation with global partners to accelerate technology development, investment, and building future businesses,” Yotsanan said. He added that developing an innovation-based economy must go hand-in-hand with social and environmental stewardship and sustainable growth to benefit all citizens and ensure long-term economic stability for Thailand. He then officially opened the Startup x Innovation Thailand Expo 2026 (SITE 2026).
Dr. Kritphaka Boonfuang, Director of the National Innovation Agency, revealed that “SITE 2026 marks an important milestone as the event enters its second decade under the theme ‘Global Innovation Impact: The Year of Investment.’ It aims to create tangible economic and social impacts by linking Thai innovation with global investors. NIA acts as the focal conductor driving the innovation ecosystem through the 4G mechanisms: Groom, Grant, Growth, and Global. SITE 2026 has attracted collaboration from over 500 partners, including more than 20 international organizations from 13 countries, 18 government agencies, over 30 leading private companies, more than 20 VC and CVC firms, 18 professional associations, 50 universities nationwide, and over 350 Thai and foreign innovative startups.”
SITE 2026 is held from 25 to 27 June 2026 across more than 6,500 square meters, covering Paragon Hall, Nex Hall on the 5th floor, and SCBx Next Stage on the 4th floor. It serves as a “bridge connecting global opportunities and funding” through key activities including seminars and forums featuring over 200 speakers, startups, and entrepreneurs across three main stages; special events under SYNC @ SITE 2026; exhibitions showcasing innovations and technologies from more than 250 Thai and international companies; a Startup Thailand League business idea exhibition featuring 100 teams; a Top 100 Startup Pitch for AI, Sustainability, Deep Tech, and Wellness startups; and business matching with over 100 business pairings.
Reporters noted that for the opening event, Yotsanan and his delegation chose to take the BTS Skytrain to avoid rush hour traffic, traveling from Punnawithi Station to Siam to inaugurate SITE 2026.