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At the recent China–Thailand High-End Forum on Intelligent Manufacturing and Industrial Cooperation, held on May 14, 2025, in Bangkok, one presentation stood out for its vision and data-driven depth. Dr. Prapin Abhinorasaeth, a seasoned industrialist and President of the Thai Automation and Robotics Association (TARA), delivered a bold roadmap for Thailand’s future—highlighting how automation, robotics, and AI are catalyzing the country’s transformation under the Thailand 4.0 initiative.
A respected leader in Southeast Asia’s smart manufacturing space, Dr. Prapin holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Northeastern University, USA, where he also earned his B.Eng. and MS degrees after completing high school at Suffield Academy. He is a licensed Professional Engineer (Industrial Engineering) accredited by the Thai Council of Engineers. His career spans multiple leadership roles, including Executive Director of Lertvilai and Sons Co., Ltd., a company specializing in industrial robotics and welding automation; Managing Director of Yawata Electrode (Thailand) Co., Ltd., one of the nation’s largest arc welding electrode manufacturers; and Founder of Quadra Technology Co., Ltd., the developer behind the Q-ERP enterprise resource planning platform.
With decades of experience bridging engineering expertise and business leadership, Dr. Prapin’s insights reflected both technical precision and strategic foresight.
From Vision to Action: Thailand’s 4.0 Ambitions
Under the national strategy of Thailand 4.0, the government has committed to shifting from traditional manufacturing toward a smart, connected, and sustainable industrial ecosystem. Dr. Prapin’s presentation, titled “Accelerating Thailand’s Industrial Transformation: The Role of Automation and Robotics in Driving Industry 4.0”, outlined how collaborative public-private efforts are bringing this vision to life.
Central to this strategy is the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI)’s 2024 roadmap, which promotes:
- Widespread automation and robotics deployment
- Digital transformation in manufacturing operations
- Use of clean energy to support sustainability
- Alignment with global sustainability standards
These pillars are not theoretical. They are underpinned by tangible government incentives, strategic grants, and structured training programs that are actively reshaping Thailand’s industrial base.
Industrial AI, AMRs, and Generative Intelligence
Thai manufacturers are increasingly adopting advanced technologies including industrial robots, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) systems, and Generative AI for real-time decision-making and predictive analytics.
According to Dr. Prapin, TARA now counts over 120 automation system integrators among its corporate members—each playing a vital role in digitizing factory floors across the country. A flagship achievement has been the certification of 280 Automation System Analysts (aSAs), developed through partnerships with Thai education and vocational training entities. These skilled professionals act as enablers of Thailand’s smart manufacturing revolution.
Interoperability: Connecting the Dots
Smart manufacturing depends on seamless system integration. Dr. Prapin emphasized the importance of interoperability in achieving this—citing standards like OPC UA, MQTT, and Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) as key enablers. These protocols allow diverse industrial systems to communicate, from machine-level operations to enterprise ERP systems, ensuring greater efficiency and actionable insight across the production chain.
AI at the Core of Predictive and Prescriptive Operations
Dr. Prapin also highlighted the critical role of AI-powered technologies in improving productivity and competitiveness. Applications such as machine vision for quality control, predictive maintenance, data analytics, and AMR navigation using reinforcement learning models are now in active deployment. Thai manufacturers are beginning to leverage generative AI for production scenario modeling, workflow optimization, and real-time troubleshooting—establishing a strong competitive edge.
International Collaboration as a Growth Catalyst
“Smart collaboration enables smart manufacturing,” Dr. Prapin stated, underscoring Thailand’s need for strong international partnerships—especially with China. As both countries align on Industry 4.0 and regional development, strategic cooperation is emerging as a key driver of investment, technology exchange, and supply chain integration.
The unveiling of the China Machinery & Electronic Products Service Center – Thailand further cements this bilateral commitment. The center aims to function as a joint platform for innovation, market development, and technical collaboration, particularly in the field of automation.
A Glimpse into the Future
Thailand is not merely adopting new technologies—it is engineering a new industrial identity. The roadmap laid out by Dr. Prapin, grounded in engineering excellence and pragmatic policy, provides a model for ASEAN nations striving toward industrial modernization.
For stakeholders in the metalworking sector, this transformation opens doors to collaboration in automation solutions, smart machinery components, and digital integration services. As Thailand propels itself toward its 4.0 goals, the rest of the region—and the global supply chain—will be watching closely.
Industry 4.0 isn’t a destination, but a dynamic and inclusive journey—one that Thailand is navigating with confidence, clarity, and collaboration.