BANGKOK, July 14 — At Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, Mr Kosol Boonkong, Acting Governor of Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 24 with the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI).
The agreement formalises collaboration between the two organisations to promote science, research, technology, and innovation in the natural rubber sector. The agreement was co-signed by Dr Wiparat De-ong, Executive Director of the National Research Council of Thailand. The partnership aims to promote and advance science, research, technology, and innovation in the natural rubber sector. It also seeks to strengthen academic capacity and accelerate the sustainable development of Thailand's rubber industry.
Mr Kosol stated that RAOT places great importance on promoting Thailand as a global hub for the natural rubber industry. Guided by its vision of managing Thailand's rubber sector for a sustainable future, RAOT is committed to supporting the country's position as a leading centre for rubber production, trade, and innovation.
The Authority also strives to raise public awareness of the benefits and value of natural rubber, while improving the quality of life of rubber farmers, strengthening farmer institutions through professional business management, and enhancing the competitiveness of rubber businesses. He noted that the signing of this agreement establishes a collaborative network between RAOT and NRCT to promote and advance rubber-related research, science, and innovation.
The partnership will also strengthen academic capacity and facilitate the utilisation of research outcomes throughout the entire rubber industry value chain. Under the collaboration, RAOT will contribute technical expertise, technology, and its network of experts across the upstream rubber sector to support research development.
The initiative is expected to accelerate the commercialisation of research outputs, increase the value of Thai natural rubber, advance the development of the national rubber industry, and generate stable and sustainable income for rubber farmers.
Mr Kosol further noted that RAOT has confidence in the capabilities and potential of Thai researchers, whose research and innovations have contributed to the development of Thai rubber products. In 2025, Thailand's midstream rubber products generated more than ฿300 billion in value, while downstream rubber products generated over ฿260 billion, supported by exports of a wide range of high-quality Thai rubber products, particularly tyres.
RAOT also continues to promote research and development of innovative natural rubber applications, including medical training simulators used in the practical training of medical students, helping reduce reliance on imported products. Another example is the Rolling Barrier, an innovative road safety system developed by the Department of Highways using natural rubber to reduce vehicle skidding and improve road safety.
RAOT remains committed to its key mission of supporting Thailand's advancement as a sustainable hub for rubber production, trade, and innovation. To achieve this, the Authority continues to promote research, development, and innovation across the upstream, midstream, and downstream segments of the rubber industry.
It also allocates approximately ฿60 million annually to support rubber-related research, enabling capable researchers to conduct studies that benefit the entire rubber industry value chain.
"This collaboration marks an important milestone in bringing together Thailand's national rubber authority and its leading research organisation to jointly drive knowledge and innovation, strengthen the Thai rubber industry, enhance its global competitiveness, and generate long-term economic and social benefits for all stakeholders across the rubber sector and the nation as a whole," Mr Kosol concluded.
