Thailand: Science and Technologyfor Sustainable Development

Prof. Dr. Pairash ThajchayapongPermanent Secretary

Ministry of Science and Technology

Presented atThe 1st Asian Science and Technology Forum

September 9, 2005 Tokyo

Outline of PresentationOutline of Presentation

1. Related Government Policy Frameworks

2. Policy Prioritization and Strategies

3. Implementation

4. Issues Possible for Regional Collaboration

1. Related Policy Frameworks

(NESDB)Economic and Social Restructuring Framework for Effectiveness and Sustainability(2002-2006)

(CABINET, March 3, 2005)

Government Policy Statement Delivered to the National Assembly

(CABINET,March26,2005)Government Strategic and Action Plan (2005-2008)

Coherent S&T Policy Prioritization and

Strategies

(National S&T Committee)National S&T Strategic Plan(2004-2013)

Economic and Social Restructuring Frameworkfor Effectiveness and Sustainability

Economic stability and sustainability

Proactive social policy to create

positive externality

Global and regional positioning

Value creation from knowledge

application

Sustained ProsperityMore Balanced Structure

Better Distribution

Source: National Economic and Social Development Board

Link to world economic Link to world economic and financial systemsand financial systems

TechnologyTechnology

5 key determinants for change

SocietySociety Natural resources Natural resources and environmentand environment

Consumption behaviors

Why Does Thailand Need Economic Restructuring ?

23.4Processing seafood9.

39.6Chemicals8.

22.1Rubber products10.

46.8Precious stone and ornaments5.

40.7Metal and steel products6.

82.0Integrated circuit3.

64.2Electrical appliance7.

51.3Computer and parts1.

8.4Rubber4.

66.6Car and parts2.

Import Content Import Content ((%%))

TopTop--ten exportsten exports

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

10,000

11,000

12,000

2003 2004 2005

Mil.US$

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000Mil.US$

Trade balance (non-oil)

Export value (important commodities e,g,automobile, electronics, chemicals and electrical appliance

Source: National Economic and Social Development Board

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

% YOY, 3 mma

-3000

-2000

-1000

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

Export Value Import ValueTrade Balance

Trade balance deficit:Growing exports with growing import contents

Government Policy Statement Delivered to the National Assembly (3 March 2005)

• Develop indigenous S&T and innovation capabilities toenhance competitiveness of industrial sector.

• Strengthen S&T manpower to assure sufficient supply for future demand both quantitatively and qualitatively.

• Induce and support development of clusters in priority sectors including agro-industry and food, electronics, software and graphic design, automobile, healthcare, fashion,and energy.

• Strengthen regional economy by technologically upgrading manufacturing and service sectors in regional areas.

• Promote development of clean technology to conserve healthy environment.

Government Strategic and Action Plan (2005-2008):

1. Eliminate Poverty 2. Improve Quality of Human Resource and Society

4. Improve Efficient Natural Resources and Environment Management

3. Restructure Economic Sector for More Balance and Competitive

5. Promote International Linkages and Economic Collaboration

6. Develop Legislation System and Good Governance

7. Promote Democratism and Public Participation

8. Maintain National Security

9. Create Indigenous Capability to Effectively Handle Global Changes

S&T Related Issues:S&T Related Issues:4. Promote

intellectual property systemand encourage IP commercialization

1. Improve R&D and innovation system, especially basic research in the biotehcnology, ICT and nanotechnology

2. Develop S&T infrastructureand human resources such as science parks, centers of excellence, incubators,metrology and testing services and so on

3. Employ S&T to improve and commercialize Thai indigenous knowledge

5. Create environment proper to R&Dactivities and innovation

6. Develop S&T management systemfor its integration and efficient monitoring and evaluation system

7. Develop natural resource and environment management system as well as protection and utilization of bio-diversity

8. S&T for poverty reduction and strengthening community economy

National Science and Technology Strategic Framework (2005-2013)

Core technologies:

1) ICT2) Biotechnology3) Material Technology4) Nanotechnology

KBSCore

TechnologiesEnabling

Environment

NationalInnovation

System(Clusters)

HumanResources

GoalsNumber of enterprises having innovation increases to 35% and value of knowledge-intensive products/services reaches the average range of OECD.Higher income, stronger community economy and better quality of life.S&T ranking of Thailand above the median of IMD ranking.

Vision: Strong economy with knowledge society and better social well-being

Sustainable competitiveness Community economy Q of life/ EnvironmentLearning society

Source: National Science and Technology Strategic Plan (2004-2013)

2. Policy Prioritization and Strategies

Food Auto-mobile Textile HealthTourism

Software &

Microchip

BioIndustry

Enhance S&TPublic awareness

4

Core Technologies

Scientific Knowledgelife science, physics, math, computer, material science

EconomyEconomy SocietySociety

Youth

Environment

The Underprivileged

OTOP

2 Develop S&T human resource

5 Improve S&T management system

Develop Clusters and Strengthen Community Economy and Quality of life

Biotechnology ICT Materials

technologyNano

technology

1

3 Develop S&T infrastruc-ture and institutions

Source: National Science and Technology Strategic Plan (2004-2013)

10

From Policy to Implementation

Cabinet

S&T Policy Committee

(Chaired by PM)

Subcommittees

Operators(R&DUnits)

Policy Level

Executive Level

Operation Level

•Chief Science Officers•Private Sectors Representatives •Academicians

Secretariat(MOST)

3. Implementation

Developing Innovative Clusters

1Strategy

Establishment of Cluster Management Agent Is Key to Success.

Clusters Cluster Management AgentsNational Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

Shrimp Cluster

Automotive and Parts Cluster

Thailand Automotive Institute

RFID Thai MicroElectronics Center

Hard Disk Drive National Electronics and Computer Center

Tourism Cluster Tourism Authority of Thailand

Software Cluster Software Industry Promotion Agency

Textile and Fashion Cluster

Thailand Textile Institute

Example of Cluster in Action:Shrimp Cluster

PROCESSINGProcessing manufacturers, Ice manufacturers,

Packaging companies, Certification and accreditation agencies, Transportation service providers

HATCHERY & NURSERY

Hatchery and nursery farms

BROODSTOCKBIOTEC

FARMINGShrimp farms, Manufacturers of shrimp food,

Department of Fishery, Association of Shrimp Farm

EXPORT

50% substitution of brood stock from natural catching

Healthy young shrimp(raise survival rate to50%)

Standard farming system GAP, CoC

- Standard processing factory with GMP 90%- Innovation of instant

shrimp food

- Accessibility to marketing information

- Participation in formulation of international shrimp standard

Advising and Consultancy Services Program

Transfer of Baby Shrimp Technology

Regulatory and Management of Shrimp Processing Factories

Intelligence Unit and Commercial Negotiator

Development

NBC, BMC, R&D networks

BIOTEC, universities and private companies

BIOTEC, Department of Fishery and universities

Department of Fishery

Department of Fishery, National Food Institute, NSTDA

Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Public Health and

Department of FisheryExporters

Supply ChainSupply Chain OutcomeOutcomeS&T EffortS&T Effort

Example of Cluster in Action:RFID Cluster

Actors: Silicon Craft company

Actors: Identify company, I.E. Technology company and FXA company

Actors: Identify company, I.E. Technology company and NECTEC

Actors: I.E. Technology company, NECTEC and Software Park

15

S&T Human Resource Development

2Strategy

S&T HRD Roadmap 2006-2013

To increase about 18,000 R&D personnel and 16,000 Ph.D in 8 years with investment of about US$ 2,300 million

Expected output (top-end manpower)Program

R&D personnel Ph.D

1. Promote and support talented students 6,800 5,700 950,000,000

2. Enhance educational opportunity - - 70,000,000

3. Develop/Upgrade teaching personnel 7,700 7,400 600,000,000

4. Upgrade persons working in industry 3,800 3,000 400,000,000

5. Promote Thailand to be centre for S&T education in potential areas e.g. food science

- - 300,000,000

6. Develop permanent body responsible for S&T HRD policy

- - 5,000,000

Total 18,300 16,100 2,325,000,000

Expected investment

(US$)

17

Develop S&T Infrastructure and Institutions

3Strategy

Thailand Science Park (TSP)

Firstly operated since 2002 as a fully integrated hub for R&D in Science and Technology with the total investment budget of USD 175 million

Its missions are to promote innovation and R&D activities in the private sector and to develop a critical mass of R&D human resource for Thailand

Four National Centers on ICT, Biotechnology, Materials, Nanotechnology

36 Firms are now in TSP(including 3 foreign companies)

Thai

land

Sc

ienc

e Pa

rk

1stIn

tern

atio

nal

Air

port

Supporting Services provided in TSP

Financial Services Financial Services –– In forms of research grants (up to USD 125,000), Soft loans (up to USD 750,000 or 75% of project investment) and joint investmentHuman Resource Services Human Resource Services –– Recruiting S&T HR and engineers per firm’s requirement, specialist database, training and seminar programs, library access and continuing education and on-line education

Technology & Technical Services Technology & Technical Services –– Technology sourcing to assist private sector searching and acquiring proper technology, technology licensing office for technology transfer, consultancy services and technical advices, provision of lab and equipment

Business and Juristic Services Business and Juristic Services –– Provision of legal assistance for intellectual property right and assistance for VISA and work permit for foreign experts

Institutional Infrastructure

Promotion Scheme for Centers of Excellence Promotion Scheme for Centers of Excellence –– To promote high-potential research labs in universities for excellence and relevancy. Ten distinct research labs are promoted each year with the lump-sum budget of USD 375,000

Development and Improvement of Laws and Regulations Development and Improvement of Laws and Regulations ––Some laws and regulations are developed and improved for benefits of ICT fully utilization

Intellectual Property System Development Intellectual Property System Development –– Appropriate IPS is developed to create supportive environment for knowledge creation, diffusion and utilization

21

Enhancing S&T Public Awareness

4Strategy

Key Projects

Science Media Development Science Media Development –– including the development of science media center, science feature article broadcasting on TV, science and technology knowledge publication, developing sciencecommunicators

Development of Science and Technology Educational Development of Science and Technology Educational Activities Activities –– such as creating mobile S&T educational units, technology road show, S&T public debate forum

Youth Competition in S&T Youth Competition in S&T –– including mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology competition as well as competition related to technology innovation and applied science

23

Improvement of S&T Management System

5Strategy

A Tentative Proposal to Restructure the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST)

MOST will be the first ministry in Thailand which the administration will be ‘non-bureaucratic’ and completely ‘autonomous’.

Executive Board

CEO

S&T Policy andStrategy Group

S&T ManagementGroup

R&D FundingGroup

IP ManagementGroup

Policy BoardMOST

4. Possible Collaboration Issues

• S&T Human Resource Development

at Higher Level

• Cluster/Science Park Development

• S&T Management System

• S&T Policy Research• S&T Indicators for Developing Countries

• IPR Suitable for Developing Countries

• Policy for Knowledge-Economy/Society

26

Thank You for Your AttentionThank You for Your Attention

More information is available at:www.most.go.thwww.most.go.thwww.nstda.or.thwww.nstda.or.th

www.sciencepark.or.thwww.sciencepark.or.th