NIA Introduces Thai Innovation Registry for Government, Private Use
Thailand’s National Innovation Agency will launch the Thai Innovation Registry on October 1, 2026, to vet and promote local innovations for government and private use. The registry aims to be credible, transparent, and results‑focused, shifting from a mere procurement aid to a bridge from research to commercial application. Registration terms are being cut from eight to five years, with possible three‑year renewals based on continued value and market relevance.
The National Innovation Agency (NIA) said it will begin evaluating the eligibility of products and services applying for the Thai Innovation Registry starting October 1, 2026, following a cabinet directive dated May 26, 2026. The agency aims to upgrade the registry into a trusted, transparent, and measurable mechanism within Thailand’s innovation ecosystem, tightening screening procedures to match technological, market, and economic shifts. Rather than merely supporting government procurement, the registry will act as a conduit linking research and development to commercial application, enabling Thai firms to deploy innovations in real‑world settings, create added value, gain market acceptance, and expand from public to private and consumer markets, with future opportunities for broader business growth that will strengthen the national innovation system and competitiveness.
NIA Director‑General Dr. Kritsaphaka Boonpheung explained that the Thai Innovation Registry is a promotion measure that pushes research outcomes toward commercial use, beginning with the government as an initial market to give innovations a chance to be used in practice, while also encouraging Thai entrepreneurs to develop higher‑value innovations that can shift the economy from labor‑ and resource‑dependence to innovation‑based businesses.
Dr. Kritsaphaka added that, under the May 26 cabinet resolution, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation has assigned NIA (as a public organization) to verify qualifications for registry entry, with the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) providing technical support from October 1, 2026 onward. Consequently, NIA has reviewed and adjusted its procedures to align with evolving technology, market conditions, and the innovation ecosystem. The goal is not merely to increase the number of listed items but to ensure the registry delivers value to entrepreneurs, the public sector, and the Thai economy by enabling Thai innovations to be utilized, grow, and compete in real markets.
A key adjustment is the reduction of the registration period from eight years to five years, reflecting rapid technological and market changes. After the five‑year term, holders may apply for a renewal of up to three additional years if the product or service continues to provide economic and social value, maintains a high level of innovation, possesses market competitiveness, and falls within a targeted national industry. This approach will allow the registry to better reflect the current suitability of listed items and provide opportunities to reassess entries in line with technological and market developments.
