TMA launches TechInno Forum 2026 to push deep tech and IP into business

The Thailand Management Association (TMA), together with the Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Technology under the Patronage of His Majesty the King, held the OUTSTANDING TECHNOLOGIST AWARDS & TECHINNO FORUM 2026 under the theme "Unfinished Business" on 22 October 2026 at Auditorium C, esean Building, Ratchada, Bangkok. The event drew a large number of technologists, researchers, award recipients and distinguished guests, who discussed ways to link deep tech research with concrete commercial benefits through intellectual property (IP).

The gap between researchers' potential and commercial development

Professor Dr Yosachanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, said at the event that Thailand needs to build a new economic engine powered by its own technology and intellectual property, relying on collaboration between universities, the public sector and the private sector to drive deep research towards generating economic value and attracting long-term investment.

Khun Theeranan Srihong, Chairman of TMA, noted that although Thailand has highly qualified scientific personnel and rising investment in research and development, the IMD World Competitiveness Rankings still reflect a gap between personnel potential and the development of research into patents and economic benefits. He said this requires collaboration between the public sector, the private sector and the education sector in a "Triple Helix" model, to develop infrastructure and the innovation ecosystem together.

Dr Krithpaka Boonfueng, Director of the National Innovation Agency (NIA), said Thailand's challenge lies not in a lack of research potential, but in linking education, research, industry, funding sources and the market to work together effectively. NIA has shifted its role from a grant-giver to a co-investor, while also promoting the Thailand Innovation List as a starting market for research seeking commercial development.

Event highlights: from the awards ceremony to the business-matching area

The event included the announcement of the 2026 Outstanding Technologist and Outstanding Young Technologist awards, with Associate Professor Dr Sakarindr Bhumiratana, Chairman of the Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Technology under the Patronage of His Majesty the King, presiding over the ceremony and congratulating the winners. There were also three in-depth panel discussions, covering developing research for real markets, managing intellectual property for sustainability, and the role of AI in driving innovation.

The event also featured a Technology Talk stage where award recipients shared their experience of designing innovations to solve business problems, along with a TechInno Mart zone bringing together ready-to-use innovations and technologies from the public sector, educational institutions and the private sector, creating opportunities for business-matching negotiations and direct collaboration networks between entrepreneurs and researchers.

This is of interest to organisers of conferences, seminars and exhibitions in Thailand's MICE industry who are looking for ways to design business-matching spaces like TechInno Mart, as well as to researchers and entrepreneurs following the overall direction of Thai innovation.