Bangkok: Mr. Nattapol Rangsitpol, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, presided over the opening ceremony of the 17th OIE Forum, "Rising Beyond Challenges: Toward Sustainability for Thailand's Industries," a policy event organized by the Ministry of Industry.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Nattapol emphasized the continuous nature of this event over 17 years. He highlighted that Thailand's industrial growth requires international cooperation, noting that while the industrial index is slightly negative, sectors like automotive, electrical, electronics, and food are still thriving. With global advancements, regulations are increasingly necessary, particularly regarding community well-being and sustainable practices. Mr. Nattapol pointed out that future industrial development will focus on competitive sectors, such as the electric vehicle industry, and stressed the need for the Thai construction industry to modernize its methods, which are currently considered outdated by international standards.
In collaboration with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Ministry of Industry plans to launch a campaign on July 1st to upgrade pollution control measures. This initiative will utilize technology to monitor 156 factories in Bangkok closely. The focus on green industries is exemplified by the fresh sugarcane harvesting process, which is currently 98% controlled to manage PM2.5 dust effectively. This year, air quality has shown improvement, and sugarcane harvesting efficiency has exceeded the standard by 20%, an unprecedented achievement.
Mr. Supakit Boonsiri, Director of the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE), shared that the agency operates like a ministerial body, aiming for sustainability in Thailand. Throughout 2025, the OIE has actively worked to integrate digital technology to advance the Ministry's objectives, promote teamwork, and fortify Thai industries. The forum was organized to outline the agency's strategic direction for 2026.