4/2026 http://thailand.ahk.de
T H E M A G A Z I N E O F T H E G E R M A N -T H A I C H A M B E R O F CO M M E R C E
AGRI-TECH German agricultural technology is in demand
PREMIUM PARTNERS 2026
Thailand’s energy shaping future with energy storage solutions
GTCC Oktoberfest 2026
ANNUAL PARTNERS 2026
FROM THE EDITOR Dear readers, It is a great pleasure to contribute my first editorial to the GTCC UPDATE. Having started in my role as GTCC Executive Director on 3 August 2026, I am committed to enhancing this platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration with GTCC members and partners in Thailand, strengthening our community's voice and supporting German-Thai trade and investment activities. For my first issue, let's explore how agriculture technology (agri-tech) is helping Thailand's farms grow smarter. Thailand's agricultural exports exceeded US$40 billion in 2025, ahead of the automotive sector. Yet, agriculture contributes only about 9 per cent of the GDP, while employing roughly 30 per cent of the workforce. With the average farmer aged close to 60, fragmented smallholdings, and climate, water and cost pressures squeezing margins, agri-tech is needed to offset labour shortages. Adoption, however, depends greatly on affordability and practicality. According to the German Agricultural Society (DLG), limited access to capital pushes farmers towards service-based models such as drone contracting, machinery sharing, and used equipment. Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) reports that Germany supplied about 6.4 per cent of Thailand's agricultural machinery imports in 2025, totalling roughly US$80 million. With Chinese and Japanese suppliers leading on price, German firms hold a niche in sensors, soil analysers, and drones. Key players in Thailand's growing agri-tech sector include German machinery maker CLAAS, which combines conventional machines with digital solutions. Its Connect platform sends planned field tasks wirelessly to the machines, which helps cut costs. BASF and Bayer integrate crop protection and seeds with digital tools for more productive, climate-ready farming. The German-Thai Agricultural Cooperation Project (GETHAC), funded by Germany's Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, works with Thailand's Department of Agricultural Extension (DOAE) to promote innovation and turn technology into practice. Livestock and aquaculture are facing similar shifts. With EU import standards in mind, Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition notes phytogenic additives can help reduce the need for antibiotics, whose overuse raises public health concerns. Thailand's agri-tech market offers considerable opportunities for German suppliers. As farms consolidate and international standards tighten, demand for precision technology is expected to grow, particularly for lower-cost, locally adapted solutions backed by financing, training, and regulatory guidance. Happy reading. I look forward to exchanging ideas with you on how we can jointly advance GermanThai collaboration in agri-tech.
Matthias Hoffmann UPDATE is published quarterly by the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce (GTCC) and distributed through an electronic platform to members and qualified non-members in Thailand and abroad. It is also available on our website: thailand.ahk.de/en/publications. Any opinions expressed in articles in this e-magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of the Chamber. UPDATE welcomes story and photo contributions from members and non-members alike. Articles may be reproduced with acknowledgement, except for those taken from other sources. For inquiries, please contact: communications@gtcc.org. Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Matthias Hoffmann
Editor & Communications Director: Chadaphan Maliphan
Design & Layout: Sorapol Liengboonlertchai
Sub-Editor: Bruce Scott
CONTENTS
AGRI-TECH
CHAMBER ACTIVITIES
04 German agricultural technology is in demand
28 GTCC AFTERWORK Briefing with Deutsche Bank &
07 Bayer Thailand: Advancing agri-tech for smallholder farmers and climate-resilient agriculture
10 Thinking the way farmers think: How innovation and partnership are helping shape the future of agriculture
Networking – August 2026
29 Supporting the visits of German expert delegation on innovation and start-up led by Thai Ambassador
31 Thai-German Energy Dialogue on “Thailand Sustainable Digital Hub”
12 Digitalisation in farming with CLAAS
33 Visiting Gastech 2026 and the German Pavilion
14 Unlocking agricultural growth through German-
34 GTCC Oktoberfest 2026
Thai cooperation
16 Feeding resilience: How Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition contributes to global standards for Thai producers
19 Agriculture in transition: How technology and innovation are shaping Thailand's farming future
CHAMBER ACTIVITIES 22 Delegation trip to Germany: From waste to strategic resource
23 Asia Sustainable Energy Week 2026 25 Thailand’s energy shaping future with energy storage solutions
GTDEE INSIGHT 37 Thai-German roundtable meeting on vocational education and training cooperation
37 Critical thinking workshop for BMW service apprentices
38 Joining Don Bosco’s open house
BUSINESS BRIEFS 42 Bayer Thailand appoints new Managing Director 42 Evonik appoints new Country Head Thailand
26 GTCC Business Women Networking event
43 Candiduck Co., Ltd. relocates to new Bangkok office
26 GTCC Young Professionals Network Evening: “Meet
43 Anantara Siam Bangkok unveils a new era with a
the CEOs”
27 GTCC Multi-Chamber EEC Briefing with JP contagi Asia & Networking event
landmark transformation
MEMBERS’ CORNER 44 New GTCC members
04 AGRI-TECH
Drone technology in crop production.
German agricultural technology is in demand Frank Malerius Agriculture is of great importance to Thailand, and even though it now accounts for only 9 per cent of the economy, it employs around 30 per cent of the workforce. In 2025, it generated export revenues of more than US$40 billion, consisting of agricultural commodities and processed food products made from them. This makes it a stronger exporter than Thailand's automotive industry, which is the 10th largest in the world. Compared to other ASEAN countries, Thailand's agriculture is well-developed. It supplies large quantities of rice to Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, as well as to China and Japan. But the kingdom is not simply one of the world's largest exporters of this staple food, as it’s also a leader in sugar, rubber, durian, cassava, and coconut products. Depending on how one interprets the export statistics, Thailand generates the world's second-largest trade surplus in agricultural commodities and foodstuffs, after Brazil. One reason for this, of course, lies in import restrictions.
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Despite this impressive achievement for a relatively small emerging economy, Thailand's agricultural sector is far from reaching the level of developed industrial nations. The use of large, expensive agricultural machinery, in particular, remains limited. Beyond large sugarcane or maize plantations, agriculture is still largely characterised by small-scale farming, and statistics show only slight consolidation into larger farms over the past 30 years. However, local observers report a visible consolidation into more extensive units. Demographics are the primary driver of this change, and according to some statistics the average farmer in Thailand is already over 60 years old.
Farmland in northern Thailand.
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SMALL FARM SIZES COMPLICATE TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION Farm size distribution in Thailand (%)
More than 10 hectares (15.8%)
Less than 1 hectare (5.5%) 1–2 hectares (13.4%)
According to industry experts, China is aggressively entering the market, particularly in tractors and smaller field and harvesting equipment. At AGRITECHNICA Asia, a trade fair that alternates annually between Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, their presence is very strong. At the AGRITECHNICA Asia fair in May of 2026, organised by the German Agricultural Society (DLG), Chinese exhibitors constituted by far the largest group – accounting for 30 per cent of the exhibitors.
CHINA THE MOST IMPORTANT SUPPLIER Thailand’s imports of agricultural technology by country of origin, 2025 (%) Germany (6.4%) USA (9.3%) Others (16.3%)
5–10 hectares (25.6%)
2–5 hectares (39.7%)
Note: Total number of agricultural holdings: 8.7 million Source: FAO Thailand Agricultural Census 2023
SMALL UNITS COMPLICATE TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYMENT Thailand is both an importer and exporter of agricultural technology, with exports primarily going to the ASEAN region. According to statistics from the Thai Machinery Association, the corresponding foreign trade volume is US$2.5 billion, with a consistently slight deficit. Many international agricultural technology suppliers are represented in Thailand, often with their own production facilities. Kubota from Japan dominates the tractor market, for instance, while other popular suppliers include Ford, Yanmar, Caterpillar, and Komatsu. Sugarcane harvesting.
China (51.7%) Japan (16.3%) Source: Machinery Industry Insight Center 2026
SENSORS, ANALYSERS, AND DRONES FROM GERMANY In the small equipment sector, German suppliers are hardly competitive on price. The only major German supplier here with its own sales office is Claas, and up to 1,000 Claas balers are reportedly in use in Thailand – primarily for sugarcane and maize harvesting. However, these are only used machines, as new ones are too expensive for the market. Other German suppliers, meanwhile, are represented in Thailand through importers. Katharina Staske, the DLG representative in Bangkok, reports that German suppliers primarily deliver small-scale agricultural technology to Thailand, such as soil analysers, sensors, and drones. These represent more manageable investments for local customers, making such smart technologies a growing segment. Drones, for example, are used more extensively in Thai agriculture than in German agriculture because they are more efficient over small areas and perform tasks that are carried out by large machines in industrial agriculture.
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used agricultural machinery – the most important of these machines being tractors, followed closely by combine harvesters. Independent farmers, by comparison, primarily own smaller equipment such as sprayers, weeders, tillers, and pumps.
GREATER STANDARDISATION REQUIRES PRECISION TECHNOLOGY Demand for agricultural technology is expected to increase in Thailand in the long term. One reason for this, besides the structural shift towards larger harvesting units, is the overall planned expansion of agricultural land for key export crops such as rice, cassava, rubber, and palm oil. Technology-supported farming.
“ German suppliers are among the most important, although they lag far behind China and Japan.” While different import statistics for agricultural technology in Thailand are circulating, German suppliers are among the most important, although they lag far behind China and Japan. According to the Iron and Steel Institute of Thailand, 6.4 per cent of agricultural machinery was imported from Germany in 2025, and this corresponds to a value of approximately US$80 million. In Thailand's predominantly small-scale farming sector, smallholders are often organised in cooperatives and thus have access to more complex agricultural technology, either directly or through specialised service providers. According to a 2023 study, 71 per cent of farmers
Harvested area in Thailand (million hectares)
Rice
9.6
Rubber
3.6
Sugarcane
1.5
Cassava
1.4
Maize
1.0
Palm Oil
1.0
Fruit
0.8
Source: Agricultural Statistics of Thailand 2025
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Furthermore, stricter regulation and standardisation of agricultural commodities and food products are anticipated in international markets for Thai agricultural products. These higher standards necessitate greater use of precision machinery. Smart farming is also expected to increase yields, which in turn requires the use of sensors, satellite-based measurement technologies, and artificial intelligence.
GERMAN SUPPORT FOR THAILAND'S AGRICULTURAL SECTOR German agriculture is well represented in Thailand, not only as a supplier of a g ri cul t ura l te chnol og i e s but also institutionally. The DLG Asia-Pacific even has an office in Bangkok, and is primarily active as a trade fair organiser. In addition, the German-Thai Agricultural Cooperation Project (GETHAC), funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), promotes sustainable agricultural production and provides points of contact for German suppliers of agricultural technology.
Contact details: Frank Malerius Director Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos German Trade & Invest (GTAI) https://www.gtai.de/en/invest
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Bayer Thailand: Advancing agri-tech for smallholder farmers and climate-resilient agriculture Paranee Adulyapichet Thailand’s agriculture is entering a new era. Climate volatility, rising input costs, water pressure, labour shortages, and global market competition are reshaping how farmers plan, produce and compete. According to the World Bank, without decisive adaptation efforts, the physical impacts of climate change— including floods, droughts, water shortages, and heat stress—could reduce Thailand’s GDP by 7–14 per cent by 20501, with agriculture among the sectors directly exposed. For smallholder farmers, who remain central to Thailand’s food system and rural economy, these pressures are not abstract trends; they affect yields, incomes, and resilience, season by season. Against this backdrop, Bayer Thailand’s contribution to agri-tech is increasingly focused on practical innovation; bringing together crop protection, high-quality seeds, digital tools, research capabilities, and farmer partnerships to help agriculture become more productive, sustainable, and climate ready.
HEALTH FOR ALL, HUNGER FOR NONE Bayer’s broader purpose motto —“Health for all, hunger for none”—is reflected in business, which combines crop protection, seeds and traits in corn and vegetable, digital technologies, and agronomic support. In turn, this help farmers protect harvests from weeds, insects, and diseases, in addition to stresses such as drought and heat, all while improving yield quality and supporting more efficient use of resources. 1
World Bank: Thailand Country Climate and Development Report
Over the past six decades, Bayer Thailand has translated this commitment into practical farmer-facing activities that bring agri-tech closer to the field and farmers. Through crop demonstrations, grower training, agronomic advisory support, and collaboration with local partners, Bayer has invested in research and development in rice, corn, and vegetables, with works covering integrated crop and pest management, responsible use of crop protection solutions, better seed selection, and more efficient farming practices. These activities help farmers understand how innovation can be applied under local conditions, while creating opportunities for government agencies, cooperatives, researchers, and private-sector partners to exchange knowledge and support more resilient agricultural systems.
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“ Bayer Thailand’s contribution to agri-tech is increasingly focused on practical innovation” STRENGTHENING THAILAND’S POSITION AS THE REGIONAL SEED HUB In September 2024, Bayer unveiled a new Inspection and Quality Control Building for vegetable and corn seed production in Phitsanulok, with an investment of 138 million baht. The facility provides advanced seed testing capabilities and supports the delivery of highquality, disease-free seeds for both domestic and international markets. This investment aligns with the Thai government’s ambition to become a leading tropical seed hub, and reinforces the importance of quality assurance, phytosanitary standards, and export readiness in modern agriculture.
More recently, Bayer inaugurated its new Vegetable Seeds Production Centre in Khon Kaen to complement the government’s vision as regional seed hub. It’s a 310-millionbaht investment that began operations in January 2026. This centre, as a state-of-theart production platform, delivers reliable seed supply, stronger traceability, and practical benefits for smallholder farmers and their communities. It supplies vegetable seeds to markets including the United States, Europe, China, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Importantly, the facility is not only an export platform, as it also supports grower training, partnership programmes, and more stable opportunities for local farmers connected to seed production.
AGRI-TECH FOR COMPETITIVENESS AND INCLUSIVENESS These aforementioned examples demonstrate how agri-tech can contribute to both competitiveness and inclusiveness. For smallholders, productivity gains depend not only on access to products, but also on knowledge, timing, and confidence in how to apply solutions responsibly. It’s important to help farmers manage pest and disease risks that threaten harvests, while supporting stronger crop establishment with seed innovations, improved quality, and resilience to local stress conditions. In rice, corn and vegetables, tailored agronomic advice can help farmers choose appropriate varieties, apply inputs more precisely, and reduce avoidable losses.
S C A L I N G S U S TA I N A B L E A N D REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE FOR RESILIENT FUTURE Sustainability is also central to this agenda, and is closely aligned with Bayer’s global agriculture commitments. Globally, Bayer aims by 2030 to: support 100 million smallholder farmers in low- and middleincome countries; help reduce on-field greenhouse gas emissions in major crop systems by 30 per cent; reduce the environmental impact of its crop protection portfolio by 30 per cent; and improve water productivity in relevant smallholder rice systems.
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These commitments reinforce Bayer’s approach to regenerative and sustainable agriculture, recognising that farmers are asked to produce more food while reducing pressure on land, water, climate, and ecosystems. In Thailand, this means practical solutions such as resilient seed varieties, integrated pest management, responsible crop protection, water efficiency practices (including drip irrigation), digital advisories, and lower-emission approaches in rice production. By supporting farmers to “produce more with less resources and restore nature for the next generation,” Bayer can contribute to farm profitability, food security, climate resilience, and more sustainable value chains at the same time.
UNLOCKING THE PROMISE OF AGRI-TECH THROUGH PARTNERSHIP AND ENABLING POLICY Looking ahead, collaboration will be decisive, because no single stakeholder can solve the structural challenges facing Thai agriculture. Progress will require coordinated action among farmers, cooperatives, government agencies, researchers, financial institutions, and the private sector. Equally important is an enabling and science-based regulatory environment that can facilitate responsible innovation, accelerate access to safe and effective agri-tech solutions, and support farmers in adopting technologies that improve productivity, sustainability and climate resilience. For smallholder farmers, the promise of agri-tech is not technology for its own sake. It’s about reduced risks, having the necessary tools to enhance healthier crops, making more
informed decisions, and creating more stable livelihoods for farmers. Bayer Thailand’s contribution lies in making these tools accessible, practical, and relevant to local farming realities. With continued investment and partnership, Thailand can strengthen its role as a regional agricultural supply point, while supporting farmers to adapt, compete, and thrive in a changing climate.
Contact details: Paranee Adulyapichet Head of Public Affairs and Sustainability, ASEAN Bayer Thai Co., Ltd paranee.adulyapichet@bayer.com +662 232 7000 www.bayer.co.th
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Thinking the way farmers think How innovation and partnership are helping shape the future of agriculture Supriya Kaewjai Across Thailand and Southeast Asia, agriculture remains essential to food security, economic development, and rural livelihoods. Yet farming is becoming more complex. Farmers are expected to produce more food, feed, fuel, and fibre while navigating climate change, labour shortages, and shifting market expectations. At the same time, weather patterns are becoming less predictable, and pressure on natural resources continues to grow. In this environment, the future of agriculture will depend not only on new products or technologies, but on how innovation is translated into practical solutions that help farmers succeed. At BASF Agricultural Solutions, our work is guided by a simple belief: farmers create value when solutions reflect the way farming really works. Farmers do not think in terms of individual inputs. They manage entire crop systems, making decisions throughout the
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season as conditions change. From planting through to harvest, every choice influences the next. That is why we think the way farmers think. This perspective is particularly relevant across Southeast Asia, where agriculture is incredibly diverse. Whether growing rice in Thailand, fruits in Vietnam or vegetables in Indonesia, farmers face different realities. Yet they all share the challenge of adapting to a rapidly changing environment while maintaining productive and profitable operations. Innovation remains at the heart of agricultural progress. Scientific advances continue to help farmers address challenges that would have seemed unimaginable just a generation ago.
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From protecting crops against pests and diseases to improving decision-making in the field, innovation plays a critical role in supporting agricultural productivity. At BASF Agricultural Solutions, this includes crop protection, seed solutions, biologicals, and digital technologies. Each contributes in a different way, but the real value comes from helping farmers respond to the challenges they face every day.
“Translating scientific breakthroughs into real-world results requires close collaboration with farmers and a deep understanding of local conditions.”
Seed innovation, for example, helps establish the foundation for a successful season. The right genetics can improve resilience and support stronger performance under changing conditions. Digital technologies are creating new opportunities as well, turning field data into practical insights that help farmers make better-informed decisions. Meanwhile, advances in crop protection continue to support healthy crops and reliable yields. However, innovation only matters if it works in practice. Translating scientific breakthroughs into real-world results requires close collaboration with farmers and a deep understanding of local conditions. Solutions must be relevant to the people using them and capable of delivering value where it matters most: in the field. Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important part of farming success. Around the world, farmers are being asked to produce more while making better use of resources. They are also responding to evolving expectations from customers, consumers and food value chains. This shift is changing the way agriculture thinks about productivity. Success is no longer measured solely by what is harvested at the end of the season, but also by how efficiently resources are used along the way. Supporting this transition requires practical solutions. Biological products are one example. They can complement existing crop protection approaches and provide additional options in situations where growers are looking for new ways to address challenges. As part of a broader toolbox, they help farmers respond to changing needs without compromising performance.
But innovation alone will not shape the future of agriculture. Partnership will be equally important. No single organisation has all the answers to the challenges facing agriculture today. Progress depends on people working together, sharing expertise, and learning from one another. It requires strong connections between farmers, researchers, industry partners, and others who play a role in bringing innovation to life. For Thailand and Southeast Asia, this collaborative approach presents significant opportunities. The region's agricultural systems are diverse, and successful innovation must reflect local realities. The best ideas often emerge when global expertise is combined with local knowledge and practical farming experience. Collaboration also helps accelerate progress. It enables new ideas to move more quickly from research into practice and ensures innovation remains focused on solving real challenges. When farmers are part of that process, the results are more relevant and more likely to create long-term value. Looking ahead, agriculture has a unique opportunity to become more productive, more resilient, and better equipped to meet
the needs of a growing world. Realising that opportunity will require innovation, but it will also require a commitment to understanding farmers and working together to support their success. At BASF Agricultural Solutions, we do e ver ything in our power to build a sustainable future for agriculture by connecting innovation, customers, and society. We believe progress happens when scientific expertise is combined with a deep understanding of farmers' needs. By strengthening those connections, we can help create lasting value for agriculture, support rural communities, and contribute to a more sustainable future for generations to come.
Contact details: Supriya Kaewjai SEA – Branding and Marketing Communications, Agricultural Solutions business BASF (Thai) Limited supriya.kaewjai@basf.com Tel: +66 89 200 1220 https://agriculture.basf.com/global/en
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Digitalisation in farming with CLAAS Intelligently connected machines and systems enable farmers to be the best in their field Patrick Paziener The digitalisation of farming has already begun—and it’s accelerating In farming, everything is interconnected— from the planning and implementation of field work to the documentation and maintenance of the machinery fleet. And with CLAAS digital agricultural products, the approach is just the same. The CLAAS Connect platform is a specially designed overall solution that makes farmers’ processes even more efficient and saves considerable costs. Farmers and contractors alike can plan their tasks in the office regarding a specific field in the farm management system, and then send them wirelessly to the designated machine. They end up in the terminal—the CEMIS—inside the designated machine, so the operator knows exactly what to do. With CLAAS Connect famers can preplan tasks based not only on their own experience, but also using the help of data. This could entail: • Using satellite data from previous years to highlight potential and plan sowing.
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• Identifying differences in actual vegetation to target fertiliser and crop protection applications. • Optimising the use of fertiliser and seed and crop protection products through variable-rate application, with application maps based on differences in the occurrence of weeds, or growing factors like nutrients, water, or even sunlight. • Planning tracks in the field for the most efficient driving path, based on field boundaries. This helps to avoid unnecessary passes over the field, thereby reducing fuel consumption and avoiding unnecessary soil compaction. • Monitoring ripening, planning the harvest time, and scheduling the harvesting sequence. When the machine arrives on a specific field, it will recognise its boundaries and load the settings based on the designated task received from the CLAAS Connect platform. During the operation on the field, the live machine dat—such as harvest yields, fuel consumption and more—is transmitted, visualised, and analysed in the CLAAS
Connect platform. It can be accessed via a smartphone or tablet, or back in the office on a computer. This allows farmers and contractors to: • View estimated work time remaining and improve fleet coordination. • Compare and optimise machine settings. • Analyse idle times and improve logistics. With connected documentation, operating processes for each field are automatically and reliably documented. This gives a complete picture of relevant information like work time, fuel consumption, and the agronomic data of a field. Data for a whole harvest season, seeding campaign, or for all work done in a specific field can easily be aggregated and then be used to improve operations or proof compliances with governments and auditors when needed. Maintaining the vehicle fleet is just as straightforward. Farmers and contractors can check at any time when the machines are next due for service can find and order the right parts and consumables through CLAAS Connect.
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While the CLAAS Connect platform solution is relevant for all CLAAS machines, each machine type has specific digital solutions tailored to its use-case on-board. The CLAAS electronic machine optimisation system (CEMOS) is the core of CLAAS on-board digital innovation. Think of CEMOS as an on-board CLAAS advisor, there to assist you with your daily work and save you money by ensuring optimal capacity utilisation of your machine at all times. The system's software suggests the best setting values and helps the operator continually adjust the machine to the field conditions. CEMOS takes the hassle out of settings and quickly helps the operator optimise machine performance. It’s the umbrella term for all CLAAS systems which continuously optimise machine performance.
DIGITAL SOLUTIONS FOR HARVESTING MACHINES Combine harvesters are able to cut straw and thresh grain, separating and cleaning it during the harvest process. What traditionally required a lot of experience in maximising working efficiency, and minimising grain losses, has been made easy with the CEMOS AUTOMATIC function. It provides combine harvester operators with continuous support throughout the entire work process because it checks sensors and settings and optimises the machine to achieve its technical performance limits by itself. This ranges from the threshing drum speed to the sieve and cleaning settings within the combine.
“Digitalisation brings real benefits by matching digital solutions with physical machines.” are a major investment for farmers and, therefore, their efficient usage is crucial. To boost efficiency and to make every centimetre count, the GPS PILOT CEMIS 1200 autosteering system enables operators to work with maximum precision in the field and to avoid overlaps. It also offers seamless communication between machine, implement, and farm management software. CEMOS is also available for tractors and represents for them a self-learning operator assistance and machine optimisation system. It includes an implement assistant to optimise plough and mower settings, and also features a continuous, dialogue-based optimisation process designed to increase the efficiency and productivity of fieldwork. It’s the only system of its kind on the market to optimise the performance of both the tractor and the attached implements while on the go—assisting the operator with ballasting, and helping to ensure optimum traction and soil protection at all times. Future-proof Digitalisation brings real benefits by matching digital solutions with physical machines. Everything is precisely attuned to the needs
of the farmer’s business, which benefits from continuously evolving technical develop ments and working with the latest systems at all times. Comfort and convenience Digitalisation makes work easier. It makes operators even better, by making harvesting operations run more smoothly, and by reducing costs. It’s a convenient way to increase productivity, efficiency and costeffectiveness. Precision Digitalisation speaks for itself. By making famers more precise in the field, more productive at work, and more meticulous at job processing, they can capitalise on the full potential of both their machines and their systems.
Contact details: CLAAS Regional Center South East Asia Ltd. kruewan.thongom@claas.com Tel. 66 2 726 9667 www.claas.com
In forage harvesters—machines that are used to chop maize, grass and other crops mainly for fodder production—CEMOS AUTO PERFORMANCE helps operators save fuel and harvest even more efficiently. It automatically adjusts the driving speed and engine power to match the yield density, keeping the engine speed constant and therefore reducing fuel consumption.
DIGITAL SOLUTIONS FOR TRACTORS Tractors are the universal type of machinery on any farm. They are used on the field for tillage, planting, spraying and fertilising, as well as off the field for the haulage of agricultural goods. At the same time, tractors
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GETHAC AgriSpak Hackathon 2025
Unlocking agricultural growth through German-Thai cooperation Karsten Ziebell ASEAN’s population is projected to increase from approximately 700 million in 2026 to 774 million by 2050, while the global population is likewise expected to rise by 16.6 per cent to 9,709 million. Population growth, climate change, urbanisation, changing diets, and technological transformation will reshape demand not only for food and feed, but also for energy, materials, and other renewable resources. Agriculture, together with forestry and aquatic biomass production, is therefore gaining strategic importance as both the basis of food security and a major source of renewable biological carbon for fibres, fuels, materials, and chemicals. Thailand is well positioned to benefit from this transition, as it’s already a major producer and exporter of rice, cassava, sugar cane, palm oil, and processed food and beverages. Under its Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy model, Thailand aims to move beyond commodity production towards higher-value agricultural and food products, while also expanding the conversion of biomass and agricultural residues into energy, bioplastics, fibres, chemicals, and other value-added products.
PRODUCTIVITY AND SUSTAINABILITY MUST ADVANCE TOGETHER Land availability, however, places limits on production expansion. Future growth must, therefore, come primarily from higher productivity and greater value creation per unit of land, labour, and biomass. At the same time, resource-use efficiency must improve to reduce production costs and safeguard soil, water, and other natural capital. Productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability should consequently be treated as mutually reinforcing objectives rather than separate policy agendas. Sustainable mechanisation, digitalisation and automation — Agriculture 4.0, or Smart Farming — can contribute substantially to this transformation. Yet their adoption is constrained by the structure of Thai agriculture. Small and fragmented holdings continue to dominate, while average farm size, at around 20 rai (or three hectares), and the overall farm-size distribution, has changed little between 1993 and 2023. These conditions limit economies of scale and often make individual ownership of advanced machinery economically unattractive. Smallholders therefore depend extensively on machinery service providers. An ageing farming population and relatively low levels of formal education create additional barriers to technology adoption.
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GERMAN-THAI TECHNOLOGICAL AND COMMERCIAL COOPERATION Germany can contribute advanced technologies, engineering expertise, and experience in resource-efficient agricultural and bio-based production systems, while Thailand provides strong agricultural production capacities, diverse biomass resources, established food-processing industries, and a substantial domestic and regional market (as well as access to the world market). The greatest potential lies in combining these complementary strengths to develop commercially viable solutions adapted to Thai conditions. However, experience from cooperation with Thai farmers, government agencies, universities, and the private sector indicates that technology itself is rarely the principal constraint. Farmers face interconnected management, financial, market, logistical, administrative, and environmental challenges. A technologically superior machine or digital application will generate little value if it does not address these constraints or cannot be operated profitably within the prevailing production system. Technology transfer should therefore shift from a product-centred to a solution-centred approach. For mechanisation and digital technologies it’s machinery service providers,
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professionally managed cluster farms, cooperatives, and producers of high-value crops that are particularly relevant partners because they can aggregate demand, spread investment costs across larger areas, and generate the utilisation rates required for advanced equipment.
providers, cluster farms, cooperatives, extension services, universities, and other innovation actors.
Technologies must also be adapted to local agronomic, environmental, economic, and social conditions, which can differ substantially between crops and regions. Consequently, successful market introduction requires more than importing equipment developed for European farming systems, since technical performance, operational reliability, and economic benefits must be demonstrated under the actual conditions of Thai users.
Farmer organisations and cluster farms can aggregate demand and develop viable business models for shared technologies. Thailand’s agricultural extension system can connect innovations with large numbers of farmers and provide feedback on local constraints. Universities and research institutions can support adaptation and validation, while German and Thai companies can translate successful approaches into commercially scalable products and services.
Field demonstrations should therefore become a core instrument of German-Thai technology cooperation—testing not only technical performance but also labour requirements, operating costs, productivity effects, management implications, and return on investment. Close involvement of technology providers during initial trials is essential to ensure correct operation, resolve problems, and build user confidence. Ultimately, farmers and service providers do not purchase technology for its own sake. Instead, they invest in solutions that reduce costs, address labour constraints, increase productivity, improve quality, and/or create additional income.
THE FUTURE OF GERMAN-THAI AGRICULTURAL COOPERATION Future cooperation should move beyond conventional technology transfer towards the joint development, validation, and commercialisation of farmer-centred solutions. This requires stronger institutional mechanisms connecting technology providers with farmers, service
“ Farmers face interconnected management, financial, market, logistical, administrative, and environmental challenges. A technologically superior machine or digital application will generate little value if it does not address these constraints […]” GETHAC AgriTech DemoDay 2026
The longer-term objective should be a German-Thai agricultural innovation ecosystem capable of systematically identifying production constraints, matching them with existing Thai or international technologies, developing new solutions where gaps remain, validating them under commercial farming conditions, and scaling successful innovations through privatesector investment and effective extension. The future of German-Thai agricultural cooperation therefore lies less in transferring individual technologies than in combining German technological capabilities with Thai agricultural knowledge, institutions, and markets to create scalable solutions. Such cooperation can help Thailand overcome structural barriers to technology adoption while raising productivity, efficiency, value, and incomes— simultaneously opening new markets and partnership opportunities for German technology providers.
Contact details: Karsten Ziebell Team Leader German-Thai Cooperation Project to Promote Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems through Innovation Networks Tel: +66 84 243 8739 karsten.ziebell@gopa.eu www.gethac.com
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Feeding resilience: How Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition contributes to global standards for Thai producers Dr. Viktor Eckel As animal producers worldwide face climate pressures, rising disease risk, volatile raw material markets, and calls to cut antibiotic use, the search for resilient and resource-efficient nutrition has become a defining challenge—especially in Southeast Asia, where Thailand's role as a major food exporter adds pressure to meet international standards. GTCC interviews Dr. Viktor Eckel, Managing Director of Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition, a science-led, family-owned German company known for phytogenic feed additives, organic acids, and toxin binders used worldwide. The interview focuses on adapting German-developed feed technology for Thailand and ASEAN, the role of nutrition in reducing antibiotic dependence, ASEAN regulatory hurdles, and how Thai shrimp exporters can meet EU import standards. What are the major developments currently shaping global animal nutrition, and how is this playing out differently in mature markets like Germany versus growth markets like Thailand? Animal production everywhere is facing the same fundamental challenge: producing highquality food efficiently while using fewer resources and maintaining animal health and welfare. At the same time, climate change, disease pressure, volatile raw material markets, and the need to reduce antibiotic use are putting additional pressure on producers. How these challenges are prioritised differs between markets. In Germany and other mature
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European markets, the focus is strongly influenced by regulation, sustainability requirements, animal welfare, and resource efficiency. In markets like Thailand production is developing more dynamically, and while similar challenges exist, producers also have to deal with specific environmental pressures such as heat, humidity, and differing pathogen pressure. Thailand's role as an important food-producing and exporting country adds another dimension. But the direction is essentially the same. We need animals that are more resilient, nutrition that makes better use of available resources, and solutions that help producers maintain stable performance under increasingly demanding conditions. Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition has built its reputation on phytogenic additives, organic acids, and toxin binders developed in Germany. What does it take to adapt technology developed for European livestock systems to Thailand's climate, feed ingredients, and production systems? Our technologies are developed with global application in mind from the outset. We do not create a different product for every country. Instead, we evaluate our solutions under different conditions, learn from their application in different markets, and use this knowledge to continuously improve the products themselves. This creates robust solutions that can perform reliably across very different production systems. Every market, however, has its own conditions and priorities. Climate, available raw materials, production goals, and management practices all influence how a solution is best used. This is where our local expertise and close cooperation with customers become particularly important. We use our expertise to find the right application and feeding concept for their individual situation. The technology itself is designed for worldwide use, but the way we apply it has to fit the customer's needs. As a science-led, family-owned company rather than a large multinational, how do you shape your approach to R&D, and to partnerships with Thai producers? Being a family-owned company allows us to respond faster and tailor our approach more closely to individual customers. We have few layers of decision-making, and very direct communication between management, R&D, technical experts, sales, and our customers. If a producer brings us a specific challenge we can involve the right people quickly, discuss it directly, and work on a suitable solution together.
That closeness to the customer is also an important part of our R&D. Practical experience from the market feeds directly into our research and product development, while our scientific expertise helps us turn individual observations into solutions with much broader potential. Family ownership also allows us to think long term. We have invested continuously in our own research and product development because innovation needs consistency as well as speed. Both matter: reacting quickly to what customers need today, and developing the solutions they will need tomorrow. What regulatory or practical problems do you face bringing German-developed feed technology into both the Thai and the wider ASEAN market? The main regulatory challenge is that ASEAN is not one uniform market. Each country has its own framework and procedures for bringing feed products and feed additives to market. Thailand, for example, regulates areas such as registration, import, labelling, and advertising under its national animal feed legislation, while other ASEAN countries have their own procedures. For us, this means that regulatory work is an integral part of entering and developing a market and also a part of our service to our customers. Good documentation, reliable local expertise, and close cooperation with partners and authorities are essential. The practical side is just as important. A product has to fit the local production environment and the way customers actually work. We therefore have to bring two things together: the scientific and quality standards behind our technolog y, and a clear understanding of the market in which it is used. That’s how globally developed solutions work successfully at local level. Reducing the use of antibiotics is an important challenge for livestock and aquaculture pro duce rs. How can innovative nutrition strategies support animal resilience and contribute to reducing the need for antibiotics? A good nutrition strategy can make an
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important contribution to reducing the need for antibiotics. This is not simply a question of feed quality. It’s about using nutrition strategically, identifying the challenges animals face, and selecting the right nutritional tools to support them. A resilient animal is better able to cope with environmental, nutritional, and pathogenrelated stress. Supporting digestion and a balanced microbiota, maintaining intestinal integrity, managing oxidative stress, and helping animals use nutrients efficiently all contribute to this stability. Especially phytogenic feed additives can play an important role here. Used as part of a wellmanaged feeding strategy, they can support the animal's natural functions and help production remain stable even under challenging conditions. When animals remain more stable under pressure, they are better able to stay healthy. That can mean fewer infections and less need for treatment. The objective is not simply to remove antibiotics, but to create conditions in which they are needed less often. That’s why highly specialised feed additives are a key element of long-term success and future-proof animal production. Thailand is one of the world's major producers and exporters of farmed shrimp. When it comes to exporting shrimp from Thailand to Germany and the EU, what role does nutrition play in helping producers meet import standards —particularly antibiotic residue limits, t r a c e a b i l i t y, a n d s u s t a i n a b i l i t y certification? What nutritional strategies are you bringing to Thai shrimp producers?
“ The technology itself is designed for worldwide use, but the way we apply it has to fit the customer's needs.” market access. EU requirements also cover areas such as veterinary treatments and residue s , offi ci a l cont rol s , a nd documentation and traceability throughout the production chain. But a well-documented feeding strategy using reliable, compliant feed additives provides a strong foundation on the production side. Nutrition can also help reduce problems before treatment becomes necessary. If shrimp are more resilient and cope better with environmental and pathogen pressure, there’s less pressure for therapeutic intervention. For example, Anta®Ox Aqua supports resilience and stable production under challenging aquaculture conditions. Fo r e xp ort- ori e nte d produce rs , t he connection is clear. Producing robust, healthy animals with carefully selected feed solutions supports both efficient production and the standards expected by international customers. Those are quality aspects that can be used for marketing and sales in domestic channels as well.
For an exporter, feeding to EU standards is part of producing to EU standards. Our aquaculture solutions are developed and manufactured in Germany within the demanding quality and regulatory environment of the European feed industry.
Looking ahead, which developments in animal nutrition do you believe will have the greatest impact on sustainable livestock and aquaculture production in Thailand and Southeast Asia over the next five to ten years?
By using these solutions, Thai producers can align an important part of their production with the standards expected in the European market.
I believe resilience will become one of the defining concepts in animal nutrition. Climate change, changing disease patterns, pressure on raw materials, and increasingly demanding production conditions mean that maximum performance under ideal
Of course, feed alone cannot guarantee
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circumstances is no longer enough. Animals also need to maintain stable performance when conditions are not ideal. This will increase the importance of functional nutrition, particularly phytogenic solutions and other technologies that support the microbiota, immune functions, digestion, and the animal's response to stress. At the same time, nutrition will become more precise. Better data and a deeper understanding of biological processes will allow us to target interventions more effectively rather than simply adding more nutrients or additives. Resource efficiency will also become increasingly important. Southeast Asia needs solutions that make effective use of locally available feed ingredients while supporting animal health and reducing environmental impact. Ultimately, sustainable production has to work economically. The innovations that succeed will be those that combine measurable biological benefits with practical value for producers. That is where I see the greatest opportunity for animal nutrition.
Contact details: Dr. Viktor Eckel Managing Director Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition Tel: +49 2636 97 490 info@dr-eckel.de www.dr-eckel.de press@dr-eckel.de // linkedin.com/ in/viktoreckel
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Agriculture in transition: How technology and innovation are shaping Thailand's farming future Katharina Staske Thailand's agricultural sector is undergoing significant change. An ageing farming population, climate change, and increasing pressure to improve productivity are driving the need for innovation. In this interview with GTCC UPDATE, Katharina Staske, the Managing Director of DLG Markets Asia Pacific, shares her insights on the challenges and opportunities ahead, including the role of technology in supporting Thai farmers and how international cooperation can contribute to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector.
How would you describe the current situation of agriculture in Thailand, and what are the most significant changes the sector is experiencing today? Thailand's agricultural sector continues to be dominated by smallholder farmers, many of whom cultivate only one to five hectares of land. At the same time, the sector faces a demographic challenge, as the average farmer is now close to 60 years old and younger generations increasingly seek employment in urban areas rather than on family farms. Although around 30 per cent of Thailand's workforce remains active in agriculture, this share is expected to decline further. Similar to developments seen in countries such as Germany, the shrinking agricultural workforce is increasing the need for mechanisation, technology adoption, and more efficient production systems. The sector is already seeing a gradual but steady shift towards a greater use of technology, as farmers seek ways to maintain productivity while adapting to changing economic and environmental conditions.
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operations generate vast amounts of data, from weather forecasts to crop health information. AI-powered tools can help transform this data into practical recommendations, enabling farmers to make informed decisions more quickly and efficiently. Why is drone technology more widespread in Thailand than in countries such as Germany? Several factors contribute to the popularity of drones in Thailand, and one factor is the structure of Thai agriculture itself. Fields are typically much smaller than those found in Germany, making drones a practical and efficient solution. What are currently the biggest challenges facing Thai farmers, particularly in areas such as climate change, resource availability, and changing production conditions? Climate change is already having a visible impact on agricultural production across Thailand. Farmers face increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, including floods, irregular rainfall, prolonged droughts, heat stress, and changing pest and disease pressures. These conditions make production planning more difficult and can significantly affect both yields and product quality. Water availability is becoming a critical concern, requiring farmers to produce more efficiently with less certainty about rainfall and irrigation resources. At the same time, rising costs for fuel, fertilisers, machinery and other inputs are putting additional pressure on farm profitability, while limited access to capital often makes investment in new technologies difficult. Labour shortages and fragmented land holdings create further challenges, increasing the need for mechanisation and more efficient production systems. The key challenge is not only developing new technologies but ensuring that they are affordable, practical, and accessible for farmers. This requires access to financing, training, support services, and clear evidence that new solutions deliver tangible benefits in the field. Looking at these challenges, which technologies do you believe have the greatest potential to address specific problems in Thai agriculture, and where are we currently seeing the most promising developments? For technology to succeed in Thailand, it must be practical, affordable, and easy to use. Solutions requiring major investments or specialised expertise often face barriers to adoption, particularly among smallholder farmers. Smart farming technologies are becoming increasingly relevant. Sensors for soil monitoring and weather forecasting can help improve decision-making and resource efficiency. Drone technology has gained particularly strong traction in Thailand compared with many highly regulated or highly mechanised markets. Drones are commonly deployed for field mapping, crop monitoring, fertiliser application, and crop protection. But rather than purchasing drones themselves, many farmers rely on specialised service providers, thus making the technology more accessible and cost-effective. Looking ahead, artificial intelligence is expected to play a growing role. Agricultural
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Another factor is the business model. Thai farmers can hire service providers on a per-hectare basis rather than purchasing expensive equipment themselves. In Germany, farms can often rely on established machinery fleets, contractors, and machinery rings, which may reduce the need for drone services in some applications. Regulation is a decisive factor as well. In the EU, aerial application of pesticides is generally prohibited, with only limited exemptions, whereas Thailand allows crop spraying by registered, certified drone operators. With many farmers facing limited access to capital, how can they finance the investments required for modernisation and technological transformation? Financing remains one of the sector's most pressing challenges. Many farmers struggle to access credit due to limited collateral, existing debt, or uncertain income streams. As a result, alternative models are becoming increasingly important. Rather than purchasing machinery outright, farmers can access equipment through service providers, machinery-sharing initiatives, cooperatives, or cluster farming arrangements. The market for used machinery is also g rowi ng , offe ri ng m ore a fford able opportunities for farmers to modernise their operations without making large upfront investments.
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How can DLG's platforms and international networks help overcome practical barriers to technology adoption in Thailand, while supporting the transfer of agricultural technologies, expertise, and knowledge between Germany and Thailand? DLG acts as a bridge between farmers, technology providers, research institutions, and government agencies. Through exhibitions, conferences, and international cooperation projects, the organisation facilitates knowledge exchange and helps connect German expertise with local needs in Thailand. DLG supports companies entering the Thai market by providing market insights and connecting them with relevant local partners. Key initiatives include Agritechnica Asia, one of the region's leading trade fairs for agricultural machinery and smart farming technologies, and the German-Thai Agricultural Cooperation Project (GETHAC), which promotes sustainable farming systems and innovation through collaboration with Thailand's Department of Agricultural Extension. As a neutral platform, DLG helps ensure that new technologies are adapted to local conditions and can be effectively transferred from Germany to Thailand through partnerships, knowledge sharing, and practical field applications. Why did DLG establish its regional hub in Bangkok, and what are its plans for the future? DLG entered Southeast Asia with the launch of Agritechnica Asia in 2017 and established its permanent regional office in Bangkok in 2020. Bangkok was chosen because of Thailand's role as a key agricultural producer and its strategic position as a gateway to Southeast Asia. The country is among the world's leading producers of crops such as rice, sugarcane, and durian, making it an ideal location for regional activities. Since then, DLG has expanded its presence through exhibitions, conferences, and development projects across the region. Notable milestones include the successful
“ For technology to succeed in Thailand, it must be practical, affordable, and easy to use.”
organisation as Professional Conference Organiser of the International Rice Congress 2023 in Manila, and the continued growth of Agritechnica Asia. Looking ahead, DLG aims to strengthen its regional network further, expand its activities in neighbouring countries, and continue promoting innovation, knowledge exchange, and sustainable agricultural development throughout Southeast Asia. What are the biggest opportunities for Thailand's agricultural sector over the next decade? Technology will play a central role in shaping the future of agriculture in Thailand. Smart farming, precision agriculture, and AI-based solutions offer significant opportunities to improve productivity while reducing environmental impact. Beyond primary production, Thailand also has strong potential to generate greater value through food processing and agricultural innovation. Increasing domestic value addition could significantly improve profitability and competitiveness. Another promising area is the bioeconomy. Agricultural residues, often treated as waste, can be converted into energy, biochar, and other value-added products. This creates both environmental and economic benefits while supporting more sustainable agricultural systems.
Contact details: Katharina Staske Managing Director DLG Markets Asia Pacific Co., Ltd. k.staske@dlg.org +66 93 628 1896 www.dlg-markets.com
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Delegation trip to Germany: From waste to strategic resource
As Thailand expands its renewable energy infrastructure and moves towards a more resource-efficient economy, the management of batteries and other renewable energyrelated waste is becoming increasingly important. The growing use of batteries for energy storage, electric mobility, and industrial applications also brings new challenges in terms of recycling and the responsible treatment of end-of-life materials. Developing effective solutions will require not only appropriate technologies and infrastructure, but also knowledge exchange and closer cooperation between industry, research institutions, and policymakers. In this context, the GTCC – in cooperation with GIZ Thailand – organised a business delegation trip to Germany focusing on “Battery Recycling & Renewable Energy Waste Management”. The trip, which ran from 14–20 June 2026, was part of the Thai-German Energy Dialogue, supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairsand Energy (BMWE) and the Ministry of Energy of Thailand. The delegation comprised representatives from Siam Cement Group, RATCH Group PCL, RATCH Pathana Energy PCL, Bangkok Cable Co. Ltd., UAC Global PCL, Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). A key highlight was the visit to the Battery Recycling Expo and E-Waste World Expo in Frankfurt, where participants explored innovative technologies and exchanged with international industry experts. Further insights were gained through site visits and technical exchanges with Accurec Recycling GmbH, Neuman & Esser (NEA Group), cylib GmbH, Fraunhofer IWKS, and URT Umwelt- und Recyclingtechnik GmbH. The visits covered battery recycling, critical raw material recovery, e-waste treatment, and other circular economy solutions, while also providing opportunities to discuss their potential applications in Thailand. The delegation also exchanged experiences with German experts and explored opportunities for future cooperation in technology transfer, investment, research, and industrial partnerships, further strengthening the Thai-German network in sustainable resource management.
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GTCC Executive Briefing with NARIT & Associates As employee data plays an increasingly important role in HR operations, navigating Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) remains a key compliance challenge for businesses, particularly when handling sensitive information and cross-border data transfers. On 23 June 2026, the GTCC organised a GTCC Executive Briefing with NARIT & Associates Ltd. on “PDPA Mastery for HR Professionals: Safeguard Employee Data, Avoid Pitfalls, and Thrive in Compliance”. Narit Direkwattanachai, Director of NARIT & Associates Ltd., led the session followed by interactive Q&A allowing participants to address specific challenges and gain practical perspectives on strengthening PDPA compliance in the workplace.
Asia Sustainable Energy Week 2026 The transition towards cleaner, more sustainable energy systems is creating growing opportunities for innovation, investment, and international cooperation across Thailand's energy sector. Green hydrogen, Power-to-X (PtX), and sustainable fuels are emerging as key areas for decarbonising energy and transport, with closer collaboration between industry, policymakers, and technology providers essential to bringing these solutions to market. From 1–3 July 2026, GTCC exhibited at Asia Sustainable Energy Week 2026, held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. GTCC showcased the International Hydrogen Ramp-up Program (H2Uppp), implemented with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, which supports the development and market uptake of green hydrogen and PtX applications through project development, knowledge transfer, and stakeholder cooperation. Marius Mehner, GTCC Deputy Executive Director, opened the reception and visited the German Pavilion and booths of German companies presenting their technologies. Nupat Khusribanchong, GTCC Sustainability Manager, joined the panel discussion "From Waste to Wings & Waves: Thailand's Role in Sustainable Fuel," sharing insights on sustainable aviation and marine fuels, regional policies, and transport decarbonisation in Southeast Asia.
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AHK Regional Meetings in Singapore APAC REGIONAL MEMBERSHIP, EVENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS MEETING 2026 | 1–3 JULY 2026 The APAC Regional Membership, Events and Communications Meeting 2026 opened on 1 July, with welcome remarks from Sabine Florian, Deputy GM & Head of Central Tasks/HR/Special Projects at the German-Singaporean Chamber of Industry and Commerce (SGC). Kateryna Kovpak, Head of AHK Membership Department at the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), shared updates from Berlin on membership trends and strategic initiatives across the AHK network. Representing GTCC, Jantarath Korbuakesorn (Head of Membership, Events & Communications) and Natkamol Punchanhom (Event & Community Manager) joined fellow AHK representatives to discuss membership, events, and communications. They presented "Event Strategy as a Retention Tool," noting that events become powerful retention tools when each format has a clear engagement purpose. Day two included a site visit to the DHL Asia Pacific Innovation Center, where participants learned about DHL's logistics solutions and digital transformation. The final day focused on communications, covering engaging dormant members, using AI to boost productivity, and measuring event performance, followed by breakout discussions.
DEINTERNATIONAL REGIONAL MEETING ASIA-PACIFIC | 26–28 AUGUST 2026 Exchanging insights, sharing best practices, and deepening crossborder cooperation to strengthen the AHK network, Marius Mehner, GTCC Deputy Executive Director & Head of Corporate Services, joined fellow AHK colleagues at the DEinternational Regional Meeting AsiaPacific 2026 in Singapore, hosted by the SGC. The meeting featured interactive sessions and gave participating AHKs and DEinternational representatives the opportunity to exchange experiences and deepen cooperation across the region.
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Thailand’s energy shaping future with energy storage solutions Thailand’s ongoing energy transition is increasing the need for reliable energy storage solutions (ESS) and alternative energy technologies (AET) that can support the integration of renewable energy. In particular, energy storage and green hydrogen are gaining relevance for strengthening energy security, reducing emissions, and supporting the decarbonisation of Thailand’s industrial and energy sectors. International technology exchange and business cooperation are therefore important to accelerate the development and application of these solutions. From 6–10 July 2026, the GTCC welcomed a business delegation of German energy experts and technology providers to Thailand under the German Energy Solutions Initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). The delegation focused on energy storage and hydrogen solutions, with the aim of strengthening
Thai-German cooperation and exploring opportunities for future business and technology partnerships. The delegation’s visit opened with an economic and political briefing by Marius Mehner, GTCC Deputy Executive Director, Ebba Scholl, Chargée d’Affaires a.i. of the German Embassy Bangkok, and Frank Malerius, Director for Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos at Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI). This was followed by a technical site visit to the Government Complex at Chaeng Watthana, including the Intelligent Operation Center (IOC) and the Green Hydrogen and Energy Storage Building. On 7 July, more than 100 participants attended the Thai-German conference “Shaping Thailand’s Energy Future with Energy Storage Solutions (including hydrogen)” at the Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park. Following opening remarks by
Marius Mehner and welcome addresses by Ebba Scholl and Pimpa Limthongkul, PhD, President of TESTA, the conference featured technology presentations from FfE, Goetze KG Armaturen, H2 Powercell GmbH, SFC Energy AG, Skeleton Technologies, and Wissenskapital Energie. Discussions also covered Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for green hydrogen and energy storage under the H2Uppp and Export Initiative Environmental Protection (EXI). The week concluded with a high-level panel discussion involving representatives from TESTA, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), EGAT, and the Hydrogen Thailand Club. The GTCC also accompanied the delegation to individual B2B meetings with potential Thai partners, supporting business matching and identifying opportunities for future projects and cooperation in Thailand.
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GTCC Business Women Networking event Women's health and well-being are key factors in sustaining long-term performance and leadership in the workplace. Creating spaces for open exchange helps business women address health-related challenges while supporting sustainable well-being.
Dr. Benjamaporn Sereenonchai, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Specialist at Bangkok Hospital, shared her expertise, offering practical insights to support participants' well-being and performance. The event was supported by Skywave Technologies as event partner, Serenity Wines Asia as beverage partner, and Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel as venue partner.
On 22 July 2026, a GTCC Business Women Networking event, "Leading at Full Strength: Women's Health, Longevity & Performance," brought together business women at the Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel for an interactive exchange on health, longevity, and performance. Through a World Café format, participants shared experiences before "The Reveal," a surprise expert session offering practical advice on women's health. The event also marked the last official GTCC event of Executive Director Dr. Roland Wein, who reflected on the community's growth since its launch in February 2018 into one of GTCC's key networking platforms.
GTCC Young Professionals Network Evening: “Meet the CEOs” Gaining first-hand perspectives on leadership, career development, and the impact of realworld experience was at the heart of the GTCC Young Professionals Network Evening entitled “Meet the CEOs” on 27 August 2026, the event brought together young professionals and guests for an inspiring evening exploring how diverse professional backgrounds and industries
can shape different approaches to leadership, growth, and strategy. The evening featured three distinguished speakers who shared their professional journeys and expertise: Florian Beuge, Managing Director of Deufol Doehle Projects Ltd.; Dhiman Dasgupta, Managing Director Thailand of Draeger Thailand Ltd.; and Alexandre Morel, Deputy General Manager at Messer (Thailand) Co. Ltd. Their diverse backgrounds offered participants valuable insights and encouraged them to broaden their career horizons. The GTCC extends its sincere gratitude to the evening’s valued partners: Fulcrum Global as event partner, Hacklberg Passau by Bavarian Craft Trading (Thailand) as beverage partner, and The Westin Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok as venue partner. The GTCC also sincerely thanks all young professionals and guests who joined the event for an evening of learning, connection, and inspiration.
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CHAMBER ACTIVITIES 27
GTCC Multi-Chamber EEC Briefing with JP contagi Asia Thailand’s evolving business landscape presents organisations with new challenges in attracting, developing, and retaining talent while aligning international corporate expectations with local business realities. Effective leadership therefore requires not only strategic approaches to hiring and talent development, but also a strong understanding of intercultural dynamics and the changing expectations of the next generation of employees. The GTCC Multi-Chamber EEC Briefing with JP contagi ASIA, held on 14 August 2026 at the Siam@Siam Design Hotel Pattaya, addressed these topics under the theme “Future-Proofing Leadership: Navigating Strategic Hiring, Cultural Synergy, and NextGen Management”.
a insights into strategic hiring, talent mapping, and the intercultural competencies required to successfully bridge international corporate expectations with Thai organisational dynamics. The discussion also explored how next-generation management approaches can help organisations motivate, engage, and retain high-performing teams in Thailand. An interactive Q&A session provided participants with an opportunity to exchange perspectives and discuss practical approaches to strengthening leadership and fostering intercultural synergy within their organisations.
Dr. Marcus Wittner, Managing Partner of the contagi Group, and Christian Moll, Associate Partner at JP contagi Asia, shared practical
GTCC Multi-Chamber EEC Networking event
On 14 August 2026, following the GTCC Multi-Chamber EEC Briefing with JP contagi ASIA, a GTCC Multi-Chamber EEC Networking event brought together business professionals at BARBÙ – Siam@Siam Design Hotel Pattaya’s rooftop bar for an evening of networking and exchange. Organised by the GTCC in collaboration with other bilateral chambers of commerce in Thailand, the event provided participants with an opportunity to connect with relevant contacts from a wide range of industries. The informal networking evening offered a relaxed setting for participants to exchange experiences, establish new business connections, and explore potential opportunities for cooperation. Guests enjoyed finger food and free-flow beverages while mingling in the stylish setting of the Siam@Siam Design Hotel Pattaya.
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GTCC AFTERWORK Briefing with Deutsche Bank: “Treasury Update” The evolving treasury landscape across Thailand, and the wider APAC region, was at the centre of the GTCC AFTERWORK Briefing with Deutsche Bank Thailand. Entitled “Treasury Update”, and held on 20 August 2026 at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, the event brought together GTCC members and business professionals for an exchange on current developments and practical approaches to treasury management.
Bank’s regional capabilities and practical considerations for establishing efficient and compliant treasury structures. An interactive Q&A and discussion also gave participants the opportunity to exchange perspectives on current treasury challenges and approaches to navigating an increasingly connected financial environment.
Ekapop Thummukgool, Vice President, Relationship Manager & Cash Solutions Sales Global Corporate Coverage, and Vani Khanna, Vice President, Regional Cash Management Sales, APACMEA, provided insights into cash management trends, digitalisation, cross-border optimisation, regulatory developments, and liquidity management. The speakers also highlighted Deutsche
GTCC AFTERWORK Networking – August 2026
On 20 August 2026, a GTCC AFTERWORK Networking event brought together GTCC members, partners, business leaders, and professionals from various industries for an evening of networking, exchange, and social interaction in a relaxed atmosphere. Participants had the opportunity to meet new contacts, reconnect with professional acquaintances, and strengthen existing business relationships. GTCC President Oliver Schnatz opened the event with a welcoming speech and encouraged guests to connect with Matthias Hoffmann, the new GTCC Executive Director, who also joined in greeting attendees. The evening provided an engaging setting for conversations, networking, and exchange within the GTCC community. The GTCC would like to express its sincere appreciation to beverage partner Arcobräu by Flow Inter Co. Ltd., and venue partner Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, for their valuable support in making the evening possible. The GTCC sincerely thanks all guests for joining the event and contributing to a lively and enjoyable evening.
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Supporting the visits of German expert delegation on innovation and start-up led by Thai Ambassador Exploring opportunities to further connect German and Thai businesses, GTCC supported a German expert delegation on innovation and start-ups, led by H.E. Chittipat Tongprasroeth, Ambassador of Thailand to Germany, during a series of visits from 24–28 August 2026.
24 AUGUST: NATIONAL INNOVATION AGENCY (NIA) & DIGITAL ECONOMY PROMOTION AGENCY (DEPA) The delegation visited NIA in Bangkok to discuss start-up support, investment, funding, and international market expansion, meeting Pariwat Wongsamran, Deputy Director of Innovation Ecosystem. Wannapon Ngamlamom, GTCC AI Project Assistant, joined the visit. The delegation continued to depa in Bangkok to discuss digital economy policies, smart cities, and industry digital transformation, meeting Kasma Kongsamak, Senior Deputy Director-General and COO. Wannapon also joined this visit.
25 AUGUST: "THAILAND–GERMANY STARTUP CONNECT" SEMINAR Wannapon Ngamlamom attended the seminar "Thailand–Germany Startup Connect: Inside Germany's Startup Ecosystem and Commercialization Models," organised by the Embassy of Germany in Berlin with the Thai Startup Association, at True Digital Park. Over 70 participants attended, with experts from AsiaBerlin Forum, Green City Development GmbH, betahausX, Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute, Science & Startups Berlin, and RESEARCHPRENEURS.
26–27 AUGUST: TECHSAUCE GLOBAL SUMMIT 2026 Nupat Khusribanchong, GTCC Sustainability Manager, joined the delegation at Techsauce Global Summit 2026 (26–28 August), engaging with entrepreneurs, investors, and innovation agencies, and connecting with Thailand’s international startup ecosystem.
28 AUGUST: MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION, SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION (MHESI) & OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR OF BANGKOK GTCC joined a courtesy visit to Prof. Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, Permanent Secretary of MHESI, to discuss research collaboration, technology transfer, and start-up spin-offs. Markus Hoffmann, Dr. Kamonsak Suradom (GTDEE Senior Manager), and Nupat Khusribanchong represented GTCC. The delegation also held a courtesy visit with Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, discussing smart mobility, health tech, and digital public services. GTCC Executive Director joined this visit.
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GTCC New Members & New Representatives Meet-Up 2026 Creating opportunities for new members and representatives to connect, introduce their businesses, and build relationships within the German-Thai business community was at the heart of the GTCC New Members & New Representatives Meet-Up at Antares Serviced Offices on 1 September 2026. The event brought together representatives from newly joined member companies, as well as new representatives from existing members, including Candiduck Co. Ltd.; FedEx Logistics (Thailand) Ltd.; Meyerize Co. Ltd.; Paradox Bangkok Sukhumvit; Siam Juris Partners Ltd.; STAR Cooperation GmbH; and TRUMPF Ltd. During the meet-up, participants introduced themselves and their companies, providing concise insights into their business activities and areas of expertise The networking session offered an opportunity to learn more about fellow GTCC members and explore potential connections in a personal and engaging setting. The GTCC sincerely thanks all participants for joining the session and Antares, and Roxana Matei, Managing Director of Antares, for her warm welcome, generous hospitality, and hosting the meet-up. Antares has been a GTCC member since 2017 and provides legal, tax, accounting, immigration, and business administration solutions, including office services – for entrepreneurs and corporations in Thailand.
The GTCC welcomes H.E. Michael Reiffenstuel to Thailand On 1 September 2026, GTCC Executive Director Matthias Hoffmann, together with Deputy Executive Director Marius Mehner, had the pleasure of meeting H.E. Michael Reiffenstuel, Ambassador-Designate of the Federal Republic of Germany. The meeting provided an opportunity for the gentlemen to get to know each other and to exchange perspectives on Thailand's economic landscape, the outlook for German businesses, and the potential for new German trade and investments in the future. They also discussed the GTCC's ongoing work and future joint activities between our chamber and the embassy. The GTCC looks forward to continued collaboration with the German Embassy Bangkok under Ambassador Reiffenstuel's leadership.
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Thai-German Energy Dialogue on “Thailand Sustainable Digital Hub” On 1 September 2026, a conference entitled “Thailand Sustainable Digital Hub: Innovative Solutions for Powering Data Centres” took place at the Grande Centre Point Lumphini hotel. Organised under the Thai-German Energy Dialogue programme, it brought together public and private sector representatives, industry experts, and energy stakeholders to explore Thailand's digital infrastructure growth and its intersection with sustainable energy solutions. The half-day conference provided a valuable platform to discuss the global rise of data centres, balancing growth and sustainability in Thailand's digital infrastructure ecosystem, and innovative German technologies. The conference opened with welcoming remarks by Dr. Timo Menniken, Country Director of GIZ Thailand, followed by opening remarks by Ebba Scholl, Chargée d'Affaires a.i. of the German Embassy Bangkok, and Tanyarut Boontheekul, Special Counsellor on International Affairs, Representative of the Ministry of Energy. Key insights were delivered through a keynote speech by Mohit Gidwani, from TMT SEA Roland Berger, on the global rise of data centres and Thailand's opportunities and challenges. This was followed by an engaging panel discussion on “Balancing Growth and Sustainability in Thailand's Digital Infrastructure Ecosystem”, moderated by Dr. Apivadee Piyatumrong of the Big Data Institute, and featuring panellists Dr. Chanchai Amornvipas from the Office of Energy Regulatory Commission, Dr. Cholachit Vorawangso Virakul of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Office, Tanapong Ittisakulchai from NTT DATA, Inc., Dr. Thiti Vacharasintopchai of TCC Technology Co. Ltd., and Dr. Bancha Yathip from 89 Plus Energy Ltd. German technology showcases included Siemens Ltd., RITTAL GmbH & Co. KG, and Detecon Asia-Pacific Ltd. The conference concluded with closing remarks by Insa Illgen, Programme Director, Thai German Cooperation Energy Mobility Climate (TGC EMC), GIZ.
About the Thai-German Energy Dialogue (TGED) The Thai Ministry of Energy (MoEN) and the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) have initiated a dialogue on energy transition topics to support both countries' efforts in achieving carbon neutrality. Topics span from renewable energies to energy efficiency, energy storage, and private sector cooperation in a wider sense. As private sector investments and expertise play a key role in enabling both countries' energy transitions, the TGED intends to foster Thai-German business cooperation by involving companies closely in the programme.
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32 CHAMBER ACTIVITIES
GTCC Executive Breakfast Talk with Forvis Mazars Understanding how people, organisational structures, and HR practices contribute to sustained business performance was at the heart of the GTCC Executive Breakfast Talk with Forvis Mazars, entitled “Why Do Some Organisations Consistently Outperform Others?”. Held at the Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel on 8 September 2026, the event brought together members and guests of the German-Thai business community for an insightful morning focused on what enables organisations to consistently outperform others. The session was led by Neil Russell, HR Services Director at Forvis Mazars in Thailand, who shared practical insights into how the right people, effective structures, and strong HR governance can drive profitability, productivity, growth, and customer loyalty. He also highlighted the warning signs that show how people management, organisational structures, or HR governance may be holding an organisation back.
GTCC Executive Director Matthias Hoffmann opened the event, and provided an opportunity for participants to exchange perspectives, gain valuable knowledge, and connect with fellow business professionals over breakfast. The GTCC would like to express its sincere appreciation to Neil Russell and Forvis Mazars for sharing their expertise, and to the Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel for hosting the event.
IKI Cooperation Workshop Thailand International Climate Initiative (IKI) Cooperation Workshop Thailand on 8 September 2026 brought stakeholders together to discuss climate policy, green finance, and sustainable investment, as well as ways to accelerate Thailand's green transition.
Thailand's path towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient future depends on strong collaboration between the public sector, businesses and other key stakeholders. The
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Matthias Hoffmann, GTCC Executive Director, moderated the panel discussion "Towards a Net-zero and Climate-resilient Thailand: A Policy and Private Sector Dialogue" with Dujdao Apichatabootra, Finance Director, Siemens Energy Thailand; Dr. Napaporn Tangtinthai, Director of Climate Finance and Investment Section, Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE); Thumrong Ampornratana, Investment Promotion Officer, Thailand Board of Investment (BOI); and Anika Seidel, Policy Advisor, International Climate Initiative Division, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN).
CHAMBER ACTIVITIES 33
GTCC SME Focus Group meets for a new chapter The GTCC SME Focus Group meeting on "SME Roundtable with the New GTCC Executive Director" fostered open discussion between members and new Executive Director Matthias Hoffmann on the group's future. Members shared ideas on format, purpose, upcoming events, and ways to create more tangible benefits. The event took place on 15 September 2026 at 64 Restaurant.
Visiting Gastech 2026 and the German Pavilion
Navigating global energy transitions, industrial decarbonisation, and climate resilience requires strong cross-border collaboration and innovation. As Bangkok hosted Gastech 2026— the world's largest exhibition for natural gas, LNG, hydrogen, and low-carbon technologies— GTCC was on the ground to foster German-Thai business synergies and meet regional energy decision-makers to discuss market developments and low-carbon strategies.
GTCC Executive Director Matthias Hoffmann, Deputy Executive Director Marius Mehner, a n d S u s ta i n a b i l i t y M a n a g e r N u p a t Khusribanchong visited BITEC Bangkok on 16 September 2026 to attend the exhibition and engage with industry leaders on the latest advancements in the global energy sector. Together with the German Embassy Bangkok and VDMA, GTCC met with German exhibitors and joined the afternoon gettogether at the German Pavilion, where more than 30 German companies showcased engineering solutions, hydrogen technologies, and sustainable industrial infrastructure.
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34 CHAMBER ACTIVITIES
GTCC Oktoberfest 2026 Bavarian celebrations in the heart of Bangkok As the most anticipated GTCC celebration of the year, GTCC Oktoberfest 2026 brought the spirit of Bavaria to Bangkok on 18–19 September 2026.
atmosphere with Festzelt benches and Bavarian décor, traditional food, and German beer — with a record 17 beer varieties from seven German brands this year.
Held at Le Grand Ballroom, Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, the two-day celebration welcomed members, partners, and guests for an authentic German experience featuring a traditional Oktoberfest
Guests enjoyed live music from the O'zapft Band, beer drinking games, lucky draws with prizes from several partners, and DJ afterparties that kept the festive atmosphere going into the night.
DAY ONE – 18 SEPTEMBER
keg tapping ceremony, The evening opened with the traditional beer an AmbassadorGerm uel, performed by H.E. Michael Reiffenst atz, and GTCC Schn r Olive t iden Designate to Thailand, GTCC Pres traditional the by ed follow ann, Executive Director Matthias Hoffm "Ein Prosit."
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DAY TWO – 19 SEPTEMBE R
The keg tapping ceremony was repeated with Ebba Sch oll, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the Embas sy of Germany, alongside Oliver Schnatz and Matthias Hoffmann.
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GTCC extends its sincere gratitude to the following partners for making the event a great success. • Diamond Partners: B.Grimm, ERGO Insurance, Schaeffler Manufacturing • Gold Partners: DACHSER, Deufol Doehle Projects, Luther Law Firm, Rhenus Logistics • Silver Partners: Alliance Ayutthaya, BASF, Bayer, FLS Group, Isegrim-X, Munich RE, Wissen & Co • In-kind Partner: Bangkok International Hospital • Venue Partner: Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit • Beverage Suppliers: Arcobräu by Flow Inter, Hacklberg by Bavarian Craft, Hofbräu by Janhom Classic, Weihenstephan & Schneider Weisse by SM Retail
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36 GTDEE INSIGHT
Workshop on examination preparation and apprentice training monitoring at PTB On 17 June 2026, the GTCC/GTDEE organised a workshop on examination preparation for apprentices in the Mechatronics and Electrical Programme at Pathumthani Brewery Co. Ltd. The workshop was led by an expert from King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB), and GTDEE Senior Manager Dr. Kamonsak Suradom, and focused on examination requirements, tools and equipment, occupational competencies, logbook verification, and assessment criteria aligned with German standards. In the afternoon, the Head of the Mechatronics Department, and technical teachers from Sattahip Technical College, Eastern Technological College (E.Tech), and Bangkaewfa Industrial Community and Education College, together with Dr. Kamonsak Suradom and a qualified
trainer (AdA International), reviewed apprentices’ training logbooks. The apprentices also presented the skills and competencies they had developed during their company-based training.
Online meeting for technical teachers in mechatronics with partner colleges On 7 July 2026, the GTDEE organised an online meeting for the heads of mechatronics departments from partner colleges in order to share experiences on didactic year planning, strengthen collaboration among partner colleges, align shared information, and improve the quality of teaching within the programme. Discussions also focused on teaching methodologies suited to the current generation of students, and supporting the achievement of German standards in technical competence, human competence, and social competence. The participating institutions included Chiang Mai Technical College, the Thai-Austrian Technical College (TATC) in Sattahip, Don Bosco Technological College, Ayutthaya Technical College, and Bangkae wfa College.
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Thai-German roundtable meeting on vocational education and training cooperation On 16 July 2026, the GTDEE Senior Manager, together with the Senior Advisor of the Economic Section, Department of European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the VET Advisor from the German Embassy Bangkok, participated in a Thai-German roundtable meeting at the Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC). The meeting opened with a welcome address by OVEC's Assistant Secretary-General, who chaired the discussion on vocational education and training cooperation between Thailand's Ministry of Education and Germany's Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. Following up on the roundtable held last year, the discussions focused on advancing the Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) between the two ministries. As the next step, OVEC will prepare the final JDI draft and submit it to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs for feedback ahead of finalisation. Participants also exchanged best practices in implementing Dual Vocational Education and Training (DVET).
Critical thinking workshop for BMW service apprentices On 10 and 20 July 2026, the GTCC/GTDEE organised a workshop on critical thinking for apprentices under the BMW Service Apprentice Programme batch 2025, led by GTDEE Senior Manager, Dr. Kamonsak S u ra d o m . T h e w o r k s h o p e n g a g e d apprentices in brainstorming sessions covering key competencies essential to their development as skilled technicians. These included problem solving, communication (both oral and written), adaptability (agile amid rapid technological advancements), time management, teamwork, attention to detail, and customer service. The workshop instilled in apprentices a holistic learning mindset, supporting the fulfillment of their training roadmap in automotive mechatronics in line with German standards. This initiative reflects the GTDEE's ongoing commitment to developing highly skilled technicians through strong collaborative programming.
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38 GTDEE INSIGHT
Meeting with Bluechips Microhouse On 23 July 2026, the GTDEE Senior Manager was invited by Bluechips Microhouse Co. Ltd. to an initial discussion on the direction for developing the DVET programme in the mechatronics, mechanics, and electronics professions. The meeting was led by Marvin Diesslin, the Business Process Improvement Project Leader responsible for the company's DVET programme. Also joining the session were the President of DMG MORI Thailand and the Head of Global Education Projects from DMG MORI Technium Europe GmbH, who continued discussions following the DVET session. The meeting took place at the Bluechips Microhouse office in Chiang Mai.
Joining Don Bosco’s open house On 27 August 2026, the GTCC Executive Director and the GTDEE Senior Manager were invited to join an open house event organised by Don Bosco Technological College, the Management Board of Ernst Klett AG, and the Honorary Consul of Thailand for Baden-Württemberg. The Thai Ambassador in Berlin, the German Ambassador in Bangkok, high-ranking officials, and management-level representatives from German and Thai companies also attended the event. Don Bosco Technological College is one of the vocational colleges that has maintained strong collaborative cooperation with the GTDEE and the GTCC since 2017.
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Monitoring apprentice training at BMW dealers in Thailand Between June and August 2026, the GTDEE Senior Manager together with the Director, Head of Automotive Department and Automotive Teachers of E.Tech and Banphai Industrial Community Education and College visited ten BMW dealers across Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Chonburi, and Rayong provinces. The visits were part of the GTDEE’s cooperation in DVET with the BMW Service Apprentice Programme.
Aptitude test for Mechatronics Programme applicants at E.Tech On 2 September 2026, the GTCC/GTDEE organised a pre-selection aptitude test for applicants to the Mechatronics Programme (Por-Wor-Sor 1) at E.Tech. The examination covered both theoretical and practical components in mathematics, logical reasoning, and technical tasks, including a section on climate change awareness. The examination committee was comprised of members from the GTCC and the Faculty of Technical Education at KMUTNB.
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40 GTDEE INSIGHT
Panel discussion on “The Business Case for Industry 5.0” On 4 September 2026, the GTCC/GTDEE supported a collaboration between companies, colleges, and the GTCC/GTDEE within the DVET system. The GTDEE’s Senior Manager joined a panel discussion on ‘The Business Case for Industry 5.0: People, ROI and Resilience’ at the TGI Smart Manufacturing and Robotics Summit 2026, and his focus was on technical, human, and social competences based on German standards; highlighting how the programme develops critical soft skills such as critical thinking, systems thinking, communication, resilience, and diagnostics. The session was attended by approximately 120 participants, including vocational college students, teachers, and private sector representatives.
Meeting on roadmap for the Bluechips apprenticeship programme at Don Bosco On 16 September 2026, the GTCC/GTDEE co-hosted a meeting on the roadmap for developing an Electrician Development Programme with Don Bosco Technological College. The participants were leaders from the DVET programme, Human Resource Manager and team members from Bluechips Microhouse, Head of DVET, Head of Electrical Department, Management of College, and the GTDEE’s Senior Manager. The meeting focused on process development regarding the roadmap to implementing the German DVET abroad.
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Workshop for preparation apprentices training On 18 September 2026, the GTCC/GTDEE organised a workshop for the preparation of apprentices for company-based training at Robert Bosch Automotive Technologies (Thailand) Ltd. (Hemaraj), as part of the Apprenticeship Programme batch 2026. Five apprentices from TATC (in Sattahip) developed basic technical competencies in mechatronics through work-based learning. The workshop focused on how students should summarise, analyse, and diagnose practical tasks based on records documented in their logbooks, and it also included a session on the concept of quality management control. On 1 March 2027, the apprentices will begin their company-based training at Robert Bosch Automotive Technologies (Thailand) Ltd.
Workshop on final examination preparation (part 1) On 24 September 2026, the GTCC/GTDEE organised a workshop on examination pre pa rat i on for a ppre nt i ce s in th e Mechatronics and Electrical Programme at Chiangmai Beverage Co. Ltd. The workshop combined onsite sessions led by the GTDEE’s Senior Manager, as well as online sessions led by an expert from KMUTNB. The primary focus was on examination requirements, tools and equipment , occupational competencies, logbook verification, and assessment criteria aligned with German standards. The final examination is planned to be held at the company in the fourth week of November, 2026.
42 BUSINESS BRIEFS
Bayer Thailand appoints new Managing Director with stakeholders across the public sector, civil society, and private sector, while leading the implementation of innovation and sustainable development approaches to continuously elevate the agricultural sector. He has also contributed to advancing investments that enhance the competitiveness and long-term potential of Thai farmers. With his strategic vision and leadership, he will support employees in advancing Bayer’s mission, “Health for all, Hunger for none,” delivering solutions that effectively and sustainably meet the needs of consumers, patients, and farmers.
Bayer Thai Co., Ltd. Appoints Weraphon Charoenpanit as Managing Director for Thailand, effective 1 July 2026. He will continue to serve as Country Commerical Lead of Crop Science for Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar. This appointment reflects Weraphon’s strong leadership and extensive experience in driving Bayer’s business growth in Thailand. He has played a key role in strengthening collaboration
Weraphon joined Bayer in 2019 and brings more than 20 years of experience in the agriculture industry. He has strong expertise in driving business growth, building strategic partnerships, and developing sustainable approaches to support farmers and the agricultural sector. He holds a degree from the Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University.
Evonik appoints new Country Head Thailand Evonik has appointed Veerachai Chantasumaetakul as Country Head Thailand, effective July 1, 2026. Based in Bangkok, he is leading the company’s operations in Thailand and drives the execution of Evonik’s growth strategy in the market. Veerachai brings more than 25 years of experience in the specialty chemicals industry across Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region. Prior to joining Evonik, he served as General Manager & Business Director Southeast Asia at Troy Siam (Arxada), where he led commercial operations across multiple markets. He has also held senior leadership positions with Allnex, Eastman Chemical Company and W.R. Grace, building extensive expertise in business development, regional management and customer engagement. "We are pleased to welcome Veerachai to Evonik," said Dr. Claus Rettig, President Asia Pacific at Evonik. "His extensive industry experience and strong understanding of the region will be valuable as we continue to grow our business in Thailand." Veerachai added: "I am excited to lead Evonik's business in Thailand. Thailand is an important market for Evonik, and I look forward to working closely with our customers, partners and colleagues to support their success and drive sustainable growth."
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Candiduck Co., Ltd. relocates to new Bangkok office Candiduck Co., Ltd. has announced its relocation to a new office in the heart of Bangkok's central business district, enabling the company to continue supporting clients and partners with even greater accessibility. The new office is located at 63 Athenee Tower, 23rd Floor, Suite 20, Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. For international enquiries, Candiduck can be reached at +66 2 126 8069 or via email at contact@candiduck.com. Candiduck Co., Ltd. offers expert legal and business consultancy in Bangkok, specialising in company setup, investment advice, and corporate law support.
Anantara Siam Bangkok unveils a new era with a landmark transformation experience. Among them is the magnificent 100-metre hand-painted mural that crowns the hotel's iconic lobby, originally painted by Thailand’s greatest muralist, Paiboon Suwannakudt, on the 200th anniversary of the current reigning dynasty, while the 19 ceiling panels over the lobby depict the “Heavens in Thai Thought.” For generations, the artwork has welcomed guests beneath its intricate depiction of Thai culture and craftsmanship, becoming one of the hotel's most recognisable features.
Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, the grand dame of Thai luxury hospitality, embarks on a transformative new chapter following a comprehensive USD 50 million enhancement. The newly reimagined Anantara Siam strengthens its position as a living cultural landmark, where every stay becomes a celebration of Thailand's rich heritage, gracious Thai hospitality and timeless elegance. Originally opened in 1983 and designed by acclaimed hotel architect George Wimberley, Anantara Siam has earned its reputation as one of Asia’s most treasured addresses, a place where hand-painted murals, tranquil garden courtyards and storied hospitality have defined the art of Thai luxury. Guided by the brand philosophy of “Transformed. Timeless. Thai.,” this new era honours the essence of the property while introducing inspired contemporary design, elevated experiences, and a renewed sense of discovery.
At the heart of the transformation is the complete reimagining of all 335 guestrooms, suites and villas, thoughtfully redesigned to reflect Anantara Siam's enduring sense of place. Across the hotel's diverse collection of accommodation from the refreshed Deluxe Rooms to the elegant Siam Suites, sophisticated Anantara Suites and opulent Presidential Suite. Every space has been carefully remodelled to celebrate Thailand's rich artistic heritage. Warm teak wood, handcrafted detailing, luxurious silk accents and a sophisticated residential palette create interiors that are both modern and unmistakably Thai. More details: https://media.minorhotels. com/en-GLO/270214-rebirth-of-an-iconanantara-siam-bangkok-unveils-a-new-erawith-a-landmark-transformation/
The overall transformation has been guided by a deep respect for the hotel's Thai heritage, ensuring that many of its most treasured design elements remain at the heart of the guest
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44 MEMBERS’ CORNER
New GTCC members up to 30 September 2026
German-Thai Chamber of Commerce warmly welcomes 17 new members
Architecture Haus Mr. Michael Wucherer Managing Partner Ms. Poravee Satraksa Design Director contact@architecture-haus.com https://www.architecture-haus.com/ Architectural and engineering activities; technical testing and analysis
DTS Draexlmaier Automotive Systems (Thailand) Co., Ltd. Mr. Gerhard Irnesberger Head of Operation Southeast Asia Thailand Plant Mr. Korpong Sengsawade Head of HR Management https://www.draexlmaier.com/th Manufacture of electrical and electronic equipment for motor vehicles
Atlas Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Elconel GmbH
Mr. Holger Hubert Roessner Chairman Mr. Lian Yow Meng CFO hrm@atlas-mc.com Manufacture of electronic components
Mr. Csaba Rez Managing Director rez@elconel.de https://www.elconel.de/ Engineering activities and related technical consultancy | Technical testing and analysis
Bodo Moeller Chemie (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
FedEx Logistics (Thailand) Limited
Mr. Bernhard Vreden Managing Director Ms. Kochakorn Usui Managing Director https://bm-chemie.com/ Wholesale of chemical products
Candiduck Co., Ltd Ms. Suthawan Boonmak Managing Director contact@candiduck.com https://candiduck.com/ Legal activities
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Mr. Bernd Meyer Country Manager Mr. Sasathorn Phaspinyo Managing Director FXL_Thailand@fedex.com https://www.fedex.com/en-us/logistics.html Freight transport by road | Sea and coastal freight water transport | Freight air transport | Warehousing and support activities for transportation
INDEX Machine Tools (Thailand) Co., Ltd Mr. Oliver Prpic Managing Director oliver.prpic@index-group.com https://www.index-group.com/en/ Manufacture of other special-purpose machinery n.e.c. | Repair of fabricated metal products, machinery and equipment
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knoell
Somboon Energy Solutions Co., Ltd.
Dr. Piyatida Pukclai Regional Sales & Regulatory Policy Director (Asia Pacific) Ms. Anongrut Surarutrungsri Regulatory Affairs Manager https://www.knoell.com/en Business support service activities n.e.c. | Other professional, scientific and technical activities n.e.c.
Mr. Inthanon Phasue Founder & Managing Director inthanon@somboon-energy.com https://somboon-energy.com/ Engineering activities and related technical consultancy | Technical testing and analysis
Mr. Martin Wenzel
STAR Cooperation GmbH
wenzel.martin@gmail.com
Mr. Jörg Gerstlauer CFO Mr. Max Herwig Head of Technical Consulting & Engineering info@star-cooperation.com https://www.star-cooperation.com/en/ Manufacture of electrical equipment | Engineering activities and related technical consultancy | Technical testing and analysis
Meyerize Co., Ltd. Ms. Sasipin Meyer Founder & CEO contact@meyerize.co https://meyerize.co/ Business and other management consultancy activities | Business support service activities n.e.c.
Mr. Roberto Weiser
Mr. Stephan Rupf
info@developpa.io
s_rupf@yahoo.de
Siam Juris Partners Limited
Thaiconel Co., Ltd.
Mr. Chavalit Uttasart Lawyer Ms. Chalisa Uttasart Lawyer info@siamjuris.co.th www.siamjuris.co.th Legal activities
Mrs. Pornsiri Rez Managing Director Mr. Csaba Rez Technical Advisor rez@thaiconel.com https://www.thaiconel.com/ Engineering activities and related technical consultancy | Technical testing and analysis
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