Thailand Pushes Legal Timber Trade at Global Forum

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin announced on September 23 that Thailand's participation in the Global Legal and Sustainable Timber Forum 2026 (GLSTF 2026) in Macau's special administrative zone represented an important opportunity to exchange approaches on law, trade, timber industry development, and sustainable forest management with other nations. This aligns with the government's policy to balance natural resource conservation with economic development and revenue generation.

Chomklin stated that international delegates at the forum agreed on the importance of promoting legal, transparent, and traceable timber industries alongside sustainable forest management, with technology and innovation improving supply chain efficiency. These measures will boost market confidence and increase international trading opportunities.

For Thailand, the government prioritizes economic development alongside natural resource stewardship. The Ministry will advance timber plantation promotion, expand economic forest areas, and support the use of legally sourced timber to add value and enable communities and businesses to grow sustainably while preserving forest resources.

The Ministry showcased its approach to timber plantation promotion, economic forest expansion, and timber industry development at the GLSTF 2026 exhibition, reflecting balanced management across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Chomklin said the Ministry will apply international knowledge and cooperation frameworks to advance Thailand's timber industry, particularly by raising standards for legal compliance, sustainability, and value-added timber products, enabling Thailand to integrate efficiently into global timber supply chains while pursuing the goal of "economic growth, community prosperity, and sustainable forest care."