Bangkok: The government is promoting SITE 2026 to accelerate Thai startups towards becoming new unicorns. Yotsanan opened the Startup x Innovation Thailand Expo 2026 (SITE 2026), a platform connecting Thai startups with international investors and innovation partners. He emphasized the innovation-based economy as a new driving force for the country, urging young people to think entrepreneurially, promoting Deep Tech, and advancing the development of Thai startups into new unicorns. The event also aimed to leverage Thailand's strengths to attract investment and technology from around the world.
According to Thai News Agency, Captain Patradarasmi Thongslueykorn, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the Prime Minister has assigned Mr. Yotsanun Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, to preside over the opening ceremony of SITE 2026 and deliver a special address under the theme "Global Innovation Impact: The Year of Investment" at Siam Paragon, Bangkok.
Mr. Yotsanan stated that the government is accelerating the creation of a 'new economic engine' for the country, focusing on developing a startup and innovation ecosystem alongside human capital development. The goal is to cultivate a new generation with an entrepreneurial mindset who can leverage their knowledge to develop businesses and innovations that create real added economic value.
The government is also prioritizing promoting Deep Tech and entrepreneurs with their own technologies, as well as distributing opportunities in science, research, and innovation through a network of Regional Science Parks. This initiative enables entrepreneurs and communities in the regions to have greater access to modern tools and technologies.
Mr. Yotsanan emphasized that Thai entrepreneurs must look beyond the domestic market of approximately 60 million people to the ASEAN market of over 600 million people and expand into the global market. He highlighted Thailand's strengths, such as biodiversity, production capabilities, and readiness to be a hub for investment and innovation in the region.
The government wants to see more Thai startups grow into unicorns and collaborate with partners from around the world to accelerate technological development, investment, and the creation of businesses of the future, said Mr. Yotsanan.
The Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office stated that another important highlight of the event was the Prime Minister Award 2026 ceremony, presided over by Mr. Chulaphan Amornvivat, Minister of Labour, as the Prime Minister's representative. The ceremony honored innovative entrepreneurs, startups, supporting organizations, and partners who have played a prominent role in driving the country's innovation ecosystem.
SITE 2026, held from June 25-27, 2026, is a collaborative effort involving over 500 innovation organizations from 13 countries. It brings together entrepreneurs, startups, investors, businesses, and government agencies from both domestic and international locations to create business opportunities, investment, and innovation collaborations. More than 35,000 participants are expected throughout the event.