Bangkok: The Prime Minister showcased national defense innovations by riding in a wheeled armored vehicle manufactured by a Thai company, opening the first THAIDEF-EX 2026 exhibition in Thailand. The event brought together the government, private sector, and researchers to build a powerful defense industry towards sustainable self-reliance, and the Prime Minister reiterated his readiness to support the defense industry.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Anutin Charnvirakul, presided over the opening ceremony of the "Thailand Defence Industry Exhibition 2026" (THAIDEF-EX 2026). Also present were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Supajee Suthamphan; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Yoschanan Wongsawat; Minister of Industry, Varawut Silpa-archa; Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, Paradorn Prisnanantakul; and Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, Supamas Issarabhakdi. Ambassadors from various countries, high-ranking government officials, commanders of the armed forces, the Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police, and entrepreneurs and defense industry networks from diverse sectors also attended the event. This reflects the cooperation and shared commitment to driving Thailand's defense industry towards the future.
While Lieutenant General Adul Boonthamcharoen, Minister of Defence, and General Tharapong Malakham, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, were present to welcome the Prime Minister, upon his arrival, he boarded a First Win armored wheeled vehicle from Chaiseri Company and inspected the atmosphere inside the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence before arriving at the event venue. The atmosphere at the event was lively and grand.
Mr. Anutin, in his opening remarks, expressed his great pleasure at seeing the exhibition showcasing Thailand's defense industry, demonstrating Thailand's readiness in national defense and sovereignty, as well as its self-reliance and economic competitiveness in the current global context. He noted that the world is facing change, with many saying that globalization is over. The world, once interdependent with easy access to raw materials, is now characterized by trade and investment challenges. Geopolitical conflicts have led to polarization across nations, disrupting supply chains and limiting production and access to crucial raw materials. As many countries turn to self-reliance for security and sustainability, instead of dependent on imports, the world is transforming.
For Thailand, developing the defense industry is not only about strengthening security and increasing self-reliance, but also a significant opportunity to develop advanced technologies, upgrade the industry, and create economic value for the country. Thailand's manufacturing potential, strategic location, and strong relationships with other nations enable it to compete in the global market. This event marks another milestone in the country's development. The advancements in the defense industry will benefit the country in many dimensions, including research and development of advanced technologies, the development of engineering and innovation personnel, and the creation of Thai entrepreneurs. This will allow them to move into higher value-added industries and build domestic supply chains that will benefit other industries as well. Many technologies we use today, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, satellite navigation systems, and specialty materials, originated from security research before being adapted for industrial and daily life applications. Therefore, investing in the defense industry is not just an investment in security, but an investment in the future of Thai industry and to enhance the country's competitiveness.
I believe that Thailand has the potential to become one of the leading production and development bases for defense technology in the region. Today's event is therefore a significant opportunity for all sectors to come together and demonstrate Thailand's strength and vision.
'As Prime Minister, I reiterate that the government places great importance on integrating cooperation among various agencies to ensure that research, development, and production in Thailand are comprehensively linked. The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Industry, and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation is another significant step in strategic cooperation to connect research knowledge, production capabilities, and real-world needs for the tangible development of Thailand's defense industry.'
Finally, I am confident that the combined efforts of all sectors today will be the starting point for creating new value for Thailand. I would like to thank all government and private sector agencies, as well as everyone involved in organizing this event, for working together to drive the growth of Thailand's defense industry through innovation and true self-reliance.'
THAIDEF-EX 2026 marks the first ever defense industry exhibition in Thailand, held under the theme "Power of Self-Reliance." This aligns with the government's policy and the Ministry of Defence's approach of strengthening national security alongside economic development. This is achieved through upgrading domestic industries, promoting research and development, and fostering collaboration between the government, private sector, and educational institutions to enhance national capabilities and achieve tangible self-reliance.
This event is not merely a platform to showcase the nation's security capabilities, but also a crucial mechanism for driving the economy and industries of the future. It provides a space for Thai entrepreneurs, researchers, and technology developers to leverage knowledge and innovation for practical production and application. This will lead to increased economic value, job creation, and enhanced national competitiveness on the international stage.
The event brought together displays of defense industry products and promising research projects for mass production from government and private sector organizations. Key activities aimed at building knowledge and fostering collaboration in various dimensions included keynote lectures by national leaders and experts in diverse fields. These included: 'The Potential of Thailand's Defense Industry' by Lieutenant General Adul Boonthamcharoen, Minister of Defence; 'Adapting Thai Industry and New Options in the Defense Industry' by Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Industry; and 'Developing Defense Industry Products and Dual-Use' by Mr. Yotsanun Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation.
In addition, a panel discussion was held on the topic of "Opportunities and Factors for Success in Expanding into International Markets," featuring representatives from leading companies in the industry, including Chaiseri Co., Ltd., Marsun Co., Ltd., and Aviation Industry Co., Ltd. They shared perspectives, experiences, and approaches to developing the potential of Thai industry to an international level. The event also included technology and innovation demonstrations, as well as business matching activities to provide opportunities for entrepreneurs, researchers, and technology developers to meet, network, and foster collaboration for future development and investment.
The Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence believes that THAIDEF-EX 2026 will be another important step in uniting the efforts of all sectors to elevate Thailand's defense industry for stable and sustainable growth. This will create a balance between security, technology, and economic development, leading to tangible self-reliance and the long-term protection of national interests.