On April 29, 2025, Mr. Ekanat Promphan, Minister of Industry of Thailand, participated in the first Thailand–Japan meeting on energy and industrial cooperation. The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Pichai Chunhavajira, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance (Thailand), and Mr. Yōji Muto, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (Japan), under the EID mechanism to promote collaboration in achieving key goals such as the transition to advanced technologies and clean energy—paving the way for future mobility and a low-carbon society in both nations.

Also in attendance were Mr. Nattapol Rangsitphon, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry; Mr. Prasert Sinsukprasert, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy; Mr. Pasakorn Chairat, Director of the Office of Industrial Economics; and senior officials from the Ministry of Industry. The meeting took place at The Athenee Hotel Bangkok.

Following the discussions, a signing ceremony was held for nine Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between Japanese and Thai private sector organizations:

1. Feasibility study for battery swapping systems for EVs in Thailand – between Isuzu Motors, Tri Petch Isuzu Sales Co., Ltd., and V. Cargo Co., Ltd.

2. Cooperation in electric vehicle (xEV) engineering education – between Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL).

3. Human resource development in the industrial sector – between the Technology Promotion Association (Thailand–Japan) (TPA), Japan’s Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS), and the Thai–Nichi Institute of Technology (TNI).

4. International business matching cooperation – between Kokopelli Inc. and the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP), Thailand.

5. Industrial-scale production technology cooperation for nylon sourced from non-food biomass – between PTT Global Chemical Public Co., Ltd. and Toray Industries Inc.

6. Carbon reduction collaboration – between Zeroboard Inc. and Rojana Industrial Park.

7. Business cooperation – between ExtraBold Inc. and Taisei (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

8. Proactive collaboration for a sustainable future – between CPG Corporation and Kao Corporation.

9. Comprehensive environmental value partnership – between CP Group and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.

Mr. Ekanat expressed gratitude to Japan for its continued trust in investing in various Thai industries and for its ongoing support in academic cooperation and human resource development—particularly in the automotive sector. He highlighted Thailand's more than 60-year journey in the automotive industry and reaffirmed the government's commitment to an open, competitive, and inclusive industrial policy.

He added that this cooperative mechanism is like installing a special part in the engine that drives national development—helping Thailand navigate change smoothly and safely. The collaboration also supports clean energy initiatives, increases farmers’ incomes through domestic bioenergy production, and contributes to balanced and sustainable economic growth.

Source: ROYAL THAI GOVERNMENT