Thailand Strengthens IP Cooperation With EU and Bhutan
Thailand signed a new intellectual property agreement with the European Union and is partnering with Bhutan to strengthen IP systems and support its creative economy through AI technology, faster patent processing, and expanded market acces
Thailand is advancing its intellectual property mission on the global stage by partnering with the European Union and Bhutan to drive creative economy growth and boost competitiveness in world markets and promote technology adoption. Dr. Kiridat Phaobpijit, Assistant Minister of Commerce, revealed that he has been tasked by the Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachee Suthammapanthu to lead Thai delegations in bilateral discussions with intellectual property partner organizations. The goal is to drive international cooperation and advance the Commerce Ministry's policies for developing Thailand's IP system to keep pace with changes in the global economy while creating favorable conditions for trade and investment, and improving the quality of life for Thai entrepreneurs sustainably. During discussions with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), led by Executive Director Joao Negrão, the Thai delegation thanked EUIPO for its ongoing support and collaboration with Thailand's Department of Intellectual Property. Thailand presented recent progress in IP system development, including the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in various services such as AI Image Search and Trademark Checker to help entrepreneurs check preliminary trademark similarities before filing applications. The office is also developing Fast Track services for patent registration, utility patents, product designs, and trademarks, along with efforts to update Thailand's IP laws to align with international standards and prepare for participation in WIPO international agreements. Dr. Kiridat stated that both sides exchanged approaches to elevate cooperation to address challenges in the digital era, focusing on applying modern technology to improve efficiency in processing IP applications and services. The initiative also promotes access to funding for SMEs using intellectual property as financial collateral (IP Finance), as well as the exchange of information and practices regarding geographical indications (GI) to enhance GI product protection standards and expand market opportunities for Thai GI products in the European Union. The Assistant Minister of Commerce witnessed the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Intellectual Property, led by Director General Ormorn Saipthaweedharm, and the European Union Intellectual Property Office, represented by Executive Director João Negrão. This builds upon the previous MOU set to expire in October 2026 and aims to elevate cooperation to align with the economic and technological context of the new era, covering information and tool exchanges, personnel capacity development, enforcement of intellectual property rights, and assessment and commercial exploitation of intellectual property. Both agencies will jointly develop implementation plans to drive concrete cooperation forward. Dr. Kiridat then led the Thai delegation in discussions with Sonam Penjor, Director of the Department of Media, Creative Industry and Intellectual Property (DoMCIIP) of the Kingdom of Bhutan, where both sides discussed approaches to prepare for intellectual property readiness in support of the Thailand-Bhutan Free Trade Agreement.