Bangkok: Amidst global economic volatility and business pressures, many Thai entrepreneurs are facing the crucial question: "How can we adapt to ensure our businesses survive and grow sustainably?" One of the key figures driving this initiative is pharmacist Dr. Saengsuk Pitayanukul, owner of the Smooth E and Dentiste brands. He has recently taken on a new role as a co-founder of the Thai Marketing Association for Entrepreneurs, aiming to help elevate the capabilities of Thai entrepreneurs, particularly SMEs.

According to Thai News Agency, the problem for Thai SMEs isn't that their products are bad, but that their marketing is weak. Dr. Saengsuk stated that Thailand has approximately 3.3 million SMEs, but less than 1% of them seriously engage in marketing. Many businesses misunderstand marketing as simply running online advertisements. However, in reality, marketing is a strategic process that begins with understanding the product, defining the target audience, and communicating the product's value to the right people.

Statistics from the Ministry of Commerce reflect the same picture, showing that nearly 45% of registered businesses disappear within the first five years, partly due to a lack of marketing strategies and continuous product development. Dr. Saengsuk explained that building a sustainable business in the long term requires two main components: truly good products and innovations, and marketing that makes the target audience aware. The product may be excellent, but without effective targeting, the business may not be able to grow.

Conversely, if the product is good and continuously improved, along with effective marketing communication, the business can experience upward growth and innovate every 3-5 years. Dr. Saengsuk emphasized that "good products aren't good for everyone. They might be good for women, good for men, or good for different generations. Marketing needs to be clear about who it's talking to."

Dr. Saengsuk also highlighted the role of SMEs in the national economy, comparing the situation to that of developed countries like Japan, Korea, or Singapore, where SMEs account for approximately 55-65% of GDP, while Thailand's figure remains at around 30-35%. If just 10% of all SMEs, or approximately 300,000, can be upgraded, it could help increase the country's GDP by another 0.6-0.9%. This figure reflects the fact that SME development is not just a matter of individual businesses, but rather a driving force for the entire national economy.

The newly established Thai Marketing Association for Entrepreneurs aims to create a space where entrepreneurs can easily and cost-effectively access marketing knowledge, through a multi-level membership system. This includes marketing training and workshops, a business incubation program, and a "Business Clinic". Dr. Saengsuk compared this concept to healthcare, stating, "When people are sick, we have hospitals, clinics, and doctors to treat them. But when a business is sick, most people don't know where to go to find a doctor."

The main goal of the association is to strengthen Thai entrepreneurs. In Dr. Saengsuk's view, upgrading Thai entrepreneurs is not just about a few large companies, but about enabling a large number of small businesses to truly grow. If Thai entrepreneurs gain a better understanding of marketing, continuously develop their products, and have access to accurate knowledge, they will have the opportunity to create sustainable businesses and help drive the country's economy in the long term.