The government is pressing ahead with negotiations with 10 global pharmaceutical companies to attract clinical research investment, manufacturing technology transfer, and workforce development into Thailand under a strategy to position the country as a Medical Investment Hub. Lalida Periswiwatana, deputy spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, said on September 11, 2026, that the approach falls under the Joint Public-Private Committee for Solving Economic Problems, known as the Kor Or, chaired by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and the subcommittee on developing new national investment, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas. The government is applying an Offset Policy concept in talks with foreign companies so that government procurement extends into domestic investment. The Ministry of Public Health, under Minister Phatana Promphat, is negotiating with all 10 drugmakers, with the Board of Investment joining in considering investment promotion measures. Cooperation with MSD is the first Quick Win to show concrete results, with one new drug research program carrying an investment value of about 2 billion baht and the potential to create roughly 1,000 jobs. There are also plans to extend cooperation on technology transfer and the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients, or APIs, for a new HIV drug together with the Government Pharmaceutical Organization. Lalida said that within about two weeks the government plans to sign an additional cooperation agreement with Sandoz to draw global companies into investing and generating economic activity in Thailand, rather than having the public sector simply buy products from abroad.
Merck & Company IncMSD is the first Quick Win with a ~2 billion baht new drug research program in Thailand, creating ~1,000 jobs and API/HIV drug cooperation.
Sandoz Group AGThailand plans to sign an additional cooperation agreement with Sandoz within two weeks to draw its investment into the country.
