Wacharapol is advancing plans to expand the "Red Cow Milk" market internationally, beginning with Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and China. He believes Thailand's 100% pure fresh cow milk products have significant growth potential.
On 27 July 2026, Mr. Wacharapol Khawkhum, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, chaired a meeting with Mrs. Watcharee Wannasri, Director of the Dairy Farming Promotion Organization of Thailand (D.P.O.T.), and the team. The meeting included Mr. Marit Sengiamphong, advisor to the Deputy Minister and former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Pongsaran Aswachaisophon, advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives; Ms. Chayika Wongnapajan; and Mr. David Mokornpong from the Deputy Minister's working team. They discussed with agricultural attachés at the Thai embassies and consulates in China and Indonesia ways to accelerate efforts to expand D.P.O.T.'s international markets, enhance the organization's global competitiveness, and increase sales of boxed milk.
The meeting assigned the Office of Agricultural Affairs Abroad to adopt a proactive approach to create opportunities and sustainability for Thai dairy farmers. Currently, D.P.O.T. has not actively pursued foreign markets and mainly relies on neighboring countries like Myanmar and Laos. Thus, this meeting marks a kick-off to seriously open international markets.
The goal is to promote Thai fresh cow milk into major ASEAN and Asian markets, initially focusing on six countries: Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and China. There is confidence that Thailand's 100% pure fresh cow milk products have growth opportunities abroad.
Mr. Wacharapol revealed that D.P.O.T. produces high-quality fresh cow milk directly from Thai farmers. However, it is necessary to generate as much new revenue as possible through price restructuring, launching premium products with added value in growing and high-demand markets, expanding marketing channels, and running promotions at all levels to remain competitive in the free market. He sees opportunities to generate income from Thai fresh milk products internationally.
The Deputy Minister also scheduled discussions with agricultural attachés abroad to push for trade negotiations and swiftly resolve international regulatory obstacles, aiming to open fresh milk markets in the six neighboring countries, which benefit from proximity and logistics advantages. He tasked the team to study and analyze these markets to inform strategic planning, including market conditions, local prices, consumer demand, and key players in each country's milk sector. China is also considered for brand-building efforts and to concretely introduce the D.P.O.T. brand products there.
A key outcome sought from the meeting is for agricultural attachés to organize business matching between D.P.O.T. and interested distributors in each target country. Additionally, aggressively entering the Malaysian and Indonesian markets is a priority as a starting point to later expand into other halal markets.
“The Ministry of Agriculture works closely with and understands farmers best. We must act proactively. If business matching leads to quick deals, it will provide stable income for Thai dairy farmers. The government stands ready to support and help D.P.O.T. overcome obstacles to expand abroad. I will soon join the Prime Minister's delegation to Indonesia to follow up on fresh milk registration progress there,” said Wacharapol.
