Thailand, China Launch 3+3 Geographical Indication Trade Initiative
Thailand and China launched a trade initiative to register three Thai agricultural products—Khao Hom Malie rice, Phetchaburi tamarind, and Siam ruby pomelo—in the Chinese market by early 2025, while accepting three Chinese geographical indi
The Department of Intellectual Property has launched a flagship GI 3+3 Thailand-China project to bring Thai agricultural products to the Chinese market in early 2025. Department Director Aramon Sabtawitthum led bilateral talks with China's National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) on September 22-23 in Beijing to strengthen intellectual property cooperation and exchange expertise in future technology management.
The department submitted three Thai geographical indication products for registration in China: Khao Hom Malie rice from Thung Kula Ronghai, sweet tamarind from Phetchaburi, and Siam ruby pomelo from Pak Phanang. It also received three Chinese GI applications: Maotai liquor from Guizhou, Peng Huang Ding Cong tea, and white porcelain from Dehua.
Both sides aim to complete the GI registration process by early 2025 to open markets and increase export value of Thai community products to China. This follows discussions between Thailand's and China's prime ministers, including Li Qiang, during Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's July visit to China.
The Department of Commerce, represented by Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthammapun, has prioritized intellectual property promotion to enhance Thai entrepreneurs' competitiveness abroad. Both sides discussed upgrading intellectual property services by applying AI technology, including an AI Image Search system and Trademark Checker to search trademarks from large databases, and a Fast-Track expedited application system for patents in target industries.
Both sides also discussed the feasibility of Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) cooperation to reduce duplicate examination steps and accelerate patent application review. The department further discussed developing an IP Finance ecosystem to improve entrepreneurs' access to funding, with China expressing interest in sharing best practices to support innovation and commercial intellectual property utilization.
The Department of Intellectual Property team met with Wang Huowang, head of SAMR's enforcement and law inspection office, to develop an action plan for intellectual property enforcement cooperation.
