Thailand's agricultural biotechnology sector focuses on increasing crop productivity through techniques like marker-assisted breeding and tissue culture. Total investment in agricultural biotechnology research in Thailand was 906,259 USD in 2016. Major crops include rice, corn, sugarcane, rubber, and cassava. While GM crops are not commercially grown, some GM soy and corn imports are allowed. The government is supporting "smart farming" initiatives through capacity building, research funding, and regulatory reforms to advance the agricultural biotechnology sector as part of its Thailand 4.0 economic development plan.

1. Regional Expert Consultation on Agricultural Biotechnology-
Scoping Partnership to Improve Livelihoods of Farmers in Asia-Pacific
May 29-31, 2018
Rama Gardens Hotel, Bangkok
THAILAND Country report
on Agricultural Biotechnology
Danai Narkprasert
Piyarat Thammakijjawat
Biotechnology Research and Development Office
Department of Agriculture, MOAC
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Value of GDP in local currency 15,452.8 billion
Value of GDP in USD $455.4 billion
Value of Agriculture GDP in local currency 1,337.3 billion
Value of Agriculture GDP in USD 39.4 billion
Agriculture GDP as per cent of GDP 8.7%
Total Investment in Agriculture Research in local
currency
1.99 billion
Total Investment in Agriculture Research in USD 56.3 million
Total Investment in Agricultural Biotechnology
Research in local currency
31.5 million
Total Investment in Agricultural Biotechnology
Research in USD
906,259
Basic Information
(1 US$=35.31 baht)Ref: National research council of Thailand, 2016

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Major crops in Thailand;
• Rice
• Corn
• Sugarcane
• Rubber
• Cassava
• Palm oil
• Fruits
• Orchids
ect.

4. 4
The status of Agricultural Biotechnology in Thailand
• Do not permit to grow GM crops commercially in the country
• Importation of GM seeds only allow for research purpose under Plant
Quarantine Act. regulate by Department of Agriculture.
• GM soybean and corn grains are permitted to be imported for foods feeds
and industrial purpose
• The FDA notified a labelling regulation for food containing ingredients
derived from GM soy and corn. (Threshold 5%)

5. 5 GMO approval and Monitoring
FDA; MOPH
: Ministerial Notification on prohibited maize (StarLink)
: Food Safety Assessment is process under FDA-NSTDA MOU
25 projects have been approved of gm soy and corn including
6 single events of GM soybean
13 single events and 6 stacked events of GM corn
More than 10 projects is in the process of risk assessment.
GM events approval only for Food safety (Voluntary)

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The Status of Biotechnology R&D
Focus on the following areas;
 In vitro Culture Technique for Micro propagation and Breeding
 Gene and genome technology in combination with conventional
plant breeding such as Molecular marker assisted selection for
improvement crops high protein soy variety, oil palm quality variety
 NBTs, genome editing
Lead to increase productivity in climate change conditions, drought tolerance ect.
However, conducted only in the bio-safety labs and/or greenhouse.

7.  GMOs Research & development in Thailand
- National biosafety guidelines for laboratory work, field testing, & planned
release since 1992 by (BIOTEC) under Ministry of Science & Technology.
- In 1993, the National Biosafety Committee (NBC) and Technical Biosafety
Committee (TBC) has established to support an authorities in decision-making
concerning the safety issues.
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 36 Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs) were established by
research institutes throughout Thailand.
 Regional IBC networks have been created to encourage communication and
sharing of experiences between its members.

8. Regulation and Legislation
Regulatory agency; The NBC has develop National Biosafety guidelines since 1993-2005
(no longer activity). Technical Biosafety Committee (TBC) is currently being conducted the
biosafety issue.
Government agencies Roles/Activities Responsibilities
Ministry of National Resources and
Environment (MONRE)
National Focal Point (CBD,
CPH) /Coordinator for risk
assessment on environmental
aspects
Drafting the National Biosafety Act.,
Biodiversity Act. Including part of biosafety
regulation.
Ministry of Agriculture and
Cooperative (MOAC)
DOA, DOF, DLD, ACFS
Competent national authority
Research and Development
(Plants, Fisheries, Animals,)
Regulate GM plant under Plant Quarantine
Act.
Regulate Field Trial under IBC/cabinet
decision
Environmental Risk Assessment
Ministry of Public Health (MOPH)
FDA
Regulate trade on GM Food
products for consumption
Regulate and monitoring GM Food and
labelling under Food Act. 5% threshold
Ministry of Science and
Technology (MOST)
BIOTEC (National Center for
Genetic Engineering and
Biotechnology)
Technical Expertise
Research and Development
R & D on genetic engineering
Technical advisory for new technology,
commercial scales
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Topics: Genome editing process
: Application of CRISPR/Cas9
: Biosafety assessment for
CRISPR/Cas9
: CRISPR/Cas9 in Cartagena Protocol
On 14 July 2017 DOA organized the seminar title: Synthetic Biology and
Guideline for biosafety regulation
Biosafety Guideline for NPBTs
NPBTs : New Plant Breeding Technologies

10. Conventional
PCR based
Real-time PCR
based
-Taxon
specific
- Element
specific
- 35S, NOS
screening
- Matrix
approach
-Taxon specific
- Element
specific
- 35S, NOS
Screening
- Construct
specific
- Qualitative
- Quantitative
Protein
based
Digital PCR
- Antibiotic resistance
protein detection
- GM genetic marker
detection
- GM protein detection
-qualitative,
quantitative
construct and event
GMOs : Analytical Capacities
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1. Increase competitiveness by advancing science and technology in areas
where Thailand has a comparative advantage and/or strong capacity.
2. Increase wealth and reduce inequality by creating jobs.
3. Increase quality of life by strengthening economic, social, health and
environmental security and promote lifelong learning.
4. Foster sustainable development by helping to realize economic development
objectives that safeguard environmental quality and conserve natural resources.
5. Strengthen national security by increasing self-reliance in strategic sectors
such as energy and healthcare.
Targets of Biotechnology policy Framework
(2012-2021)
National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office (STI)
Ministry of Science and Technology, Thailand

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Food and Agriculture: Advance market competiveness and
strengthen agricultural sustainability by increasing quality,
productivity and innovation while reducing costs.
Medicine and Health: Advance wellness, improve self-reliance and increase
competiveness in medical and healthcare fields where Thailand has a comparative
advantage.
Bioenergy: Increase energy security by developing alternative energy sources
without compromising food production or environmental sustainability.
Bio-based Industry: Increase industry commitment to environmental
protection through more resource efficient production and stimulating innovation in
fields where Thailand holds a comparative advantage.
Strategic Sectors

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The Thai government’s move to smart growth and Thailand 4.0, the
government has adopted a policy to reform the agriculture sector to ease
problems faced by Thai farmers and to support national development by
transitioning to “smart farming”, “Precision Agriculture”.

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1. Physical infrastructure such as biology research institutes, centers
for excellence, pilot plants and regional bio parks.
2. Personnel development and capacity building for biotechnology
and related fields.
3. Critical investment and biotechnology development fund
established through a public-private partnership to provide capital
for biotechnology entrepreneurs.
4. Streamlined regulation and investment policies advance more
efficient policies, regulations and standards to eliminate
bottlenecks in key areas such as GMOs, biosafety, bioethics and IP
management.
Required capacity for future

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Sawasdee ka