Market Information
Southeast Asia

The Biotechnology Sector
in Thailand

July 2002

I. Introduction

This report provides an overview of the biotechnology sector in Thailand, relevant government policies and organizations, priorities, and where the industry may be heading in the years ahead. Biotechnology is a priority sector for Thailand and as such is receiving substantial R&D funding from the government. R&D activities are the backbone of the biotechnology customer base in Thailand, which is mainly restricted to government-sponsored research organizations. Traditional customers in the public sector include research institutions, university research departments and government departments. The best potential for Canadian biotechnology products and technology lies in agri-food, rapid diagnostic tools and pharmaceutical/health care.

In addition to this general document on the biotechnology sector in Thailand, there are also two companion market studies that identify potential opportunities for Canadian biotechnology companies on a sub-sectoral basis and which can be found on the Canadian Embassy, Bangkok website:

• The Market for Agriculture and Food Biotechnology Products in Thailand
• The Market for Imported Diagnostic Kits in Thailand

II. Sector overview

The Government of Thailand considers biotechnology as an important sector of opportunity. This is driven by a domestic need for biotechnology products and procedures as well as the awareness of the dangers of falling too far behind neighbouring countries. Thailand does not want to miss out on foreign investment in this high technology sector, but to date has not been overly successful at attracting investors.

The government has recognized the potential value of biotechnology in helping achieve enhancements in productivity, particularly in view of the tremendous importance of the agriculture and food sector to Thailand's economy. As such, the government has identified two areas that are the focus of its efforts in biotechnology:

• Improved agricultural productivity
• Improvement of public health

The biotechnology industry in Thailand is still very much in its infancy; there are several pipeline products but few have been commercialized. Commercial bio-industry products in Thailand are first generation. The bio-industry in Thailand includes amino acid production for feed, cassava starch modification, hybrid seed production, commercial plant propagation through tissue culture, secondary production of antibiotics and animal vaccines. Technology used by the private sector is mainly imported, with an increasingly more informed and better trained workforce playing an active role in the selection and development of imported technology.

The government is supporting research & development programs that help reduce the negative effects of chemicals on the environment and on human health. It is also actively supporting programs to develop human, livestock and aquatic diagnostic and therapeutic products focused on diseases / conditions endemic to the region. There are initiatives under way to stimulate the creation of a vibrant biotechnology sector in Thailand; these are centered on the 80-acre Science Park, recently completed in Rangsit, 20km from Bangkok. This will provide incubator units, pilot plants, greenhouses and accommodation as well as finance, management and legal support. NSTDA and BIOTEC moved there in June 2002. It is hoped that this will provide the critical mass needed to attract private investors.

III. Government policies in support of biotechnology

The government remains the driving force of research and development in Thailand. Government funding has supported much of the work done at universities and research institutions. This research, however, leans towards applied, rather than basic disciplines. The emphasis on applied research reflects the limited funding available for research and the shortage of well-trained scientists and engineers. University projects tend to be reactionary, addressing an immediate need or problem, rather than long term and strategic.

In 2001, total R&D expenditures available to the universities in Thailand amounted to approximately C$40.6 million. Government expenditure on R&D was mainly on development of agriculture, forestry and fishing, with lesser amounts on promotion of industrial development, environment, and health care. Over the period 2001 - 2006 the government plans to increase RD&E funding to 0.5% of the annual budget. The private sector, through various incentives and collaborative schemes, will allocate up to 0.25% of sales in RD&E investment.

In the case of biotechnology, the government funds about 80% of the research and development and directs the policy and the research agenda.

Most of the funding for research in Thailand still originates from the government. Private funds for research are very limited. As such, the availability and sufficiency of research funds are a key challenge in this area.

There are currently four main organizations/avenues which are in charge of administering and managing government funds for research. These are:

Beginning 2002, Thailand will spend 60 million baht a year for five years on six genome projects aimed at advancing the country's medical and agricultural development. The projects include studies of dengue fever, malaria, the blood disease thalassaemia, and rental tubular acidosis, a disease causing a kidney disorder. The projects are the result of co-operation between the Thailand Research Fund and the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (Biotec).

As well as the annual 60-million-baht budget, Mahidol University will spend about 10 million baht in 2002 on its genome project. But the total investment remains small compared to countries such as Japan and Taiwan.

Much of the research done in the academic sector aims at solving local problems - this is partly because of funding restraints but also limited manpower and resources. The universities in 2000 produced 126,661 graduates - 105,067 at Bachelor level, 18,452 at Masters Level, 2,970 at Diploma level and only 172 at doctoral level. Of the bachelor degrees only 8% were in medicine & health sciences and 6% in natural sciences. This reflects the poor career opportunities in these areas. By 2020 the number of science graduates should increase to 2000 at PhD level, 20,000 at Master's level and 200,000 at Batchelor level.

Despite the emphasis on 'applied research' success stories are rare, reflecting lack of interaction between academia and industry.

Policies for biotechnology are covered in the National Science and Technology plan, described in the National and Economic Social Development Plan - now on the ninth edition (2001 - 2006). The ninth plan remains little changed from the eighth, outlining the need to: 

• Develop links between R&D and end users by improving technology transfer systems and end user participation.
• Integrate conventional technology with biotechnology though R&D networks and joint public and private sector contributions.
• Develop infrastructure by upgrading institutional and manpower resources and appropriate allocation of resources.

Specific examples of initiatives by the Thai government to promote the development of molecular biology and biotechnology are listed in Table 2.

IV. National Centre for Biotechnology (BIOTEC)

The focal point for biotechnology development in Thailand is the National Centre for Biotechnology (BIOTEC). Established under the Ministry for Science, Technology and Energy in 1983, BIOTEC is now under the umbrella of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA). BIOTEC operates autonomously outside the normal framework of civil service and state enterprises, enabling it to more effectively support the development and transfer of biotechnology.

Overall, BIOTEC policy provides the resources for the country to develop the critical mass of researchers necessary to achieve Thailand's national R&D requirements in biotechnology. This is achieved through conducting R&D projects, the facilitation of transfer of advanced technologies from overseas, human resources development at all levels, institution building, information services, and the development of public understanding of the benefits of biotechnology.

BIOTEC is both a granting and implementing agency. BIOTEC allocates approximately 70% of its R&D budget to universities and research institutes; the remaining 30% is used for in-house research projects. National and specialized laboratories are made available for in-house research programs and visiting researchers. The construction of a Science and Technology Park will be completed in early 2001 and will house BIOTEC's main laboratories including pilot-plant, greenhouse and incubator unit. BIOTEC is responsible for national laboratories whose major objective is to develop the capability for conducting research, development and engineering in the area of genetic engineering and biotechnology.

The activities of the national laboratories reinforce and compliment the other major NSTDA objectives in supporting the RD&E activities of supported agencies. To optimize the use of resources, the RD&E programs are planned and implemented in a coordinated manner between the supported RD&E projects, the specialized laboratories located at the supported agencies and the national laboratories. The research programs are planned and prioritized in conjunction with stakeholders from the private sector and academia.

The national laboratories perform RD&E activities that are closer to the market, preferably on demand from the industries, and provide technical services to the technology users. BIOTEC at present has 11 laboratories located at the NSTDA Yothi Building and the following are involved in agriculture:

• Plant tissue culture laboratory
• Mycology laboratory
• Shrimp DNA technology laboratory.

BIOTEC also has specialized laboratories at the following universities:

Plant Genetic Engineering Unit, Kasetsart University, Kampaengsaen Campus

The major task of this institute is to coordinate the various activities of scientists from the affiliated organizations. It also serves as an R&D center for basic and applied research with an emphasis on economically important plants which are resistant to diseases and extreme environmental conditions. Other R&D projects currently in progress are the development of herbicides through biotechnology, strain improvement of papayas resistant to Papaya ringspot virus, cultivation of tomatoes resistant to Tomato leaf curl virus and the development and strain improvement of a virus for eliminating cotton bollworms.

Microbial Genetic Engineering Unit, Mahidol University

The Microbial Genetic Engineering Unit is a biotechnology laboratory which focuses on the study of microorganisms. It also disseminates techniques and technical know-how to concerned parties. A recent study involved the development of a new strain of bacteria capable of controlling and eliminating disease carrying insects. This study includes a detailed study of a gene responsible for killing mosquito larvae. The insertion of this gene in the photosynthetic bacterium, A. quadruplicatum and use of DNA probes for detecting microorganisms are currently being investigated.

Marine Biotechnology Laboratory at Chulalongkorn University

The main objective of this particular unit is to conduct R&D in aquaculture technology and marine bioresources for industrial and medical purposes. Current research topics include the improvement of oyster species, techniques for abalone cultivation; physiological studies of Spirulina spp. and the hybridization of king prawn.

Biochemical Engineering and Pilot Plant Unit at King Mongkut's University of Technology, Thonburi

This specialized laboratory aims to be a centre for coordinating the activities of scholars and engineers from network institutions. It also serves as a center for developing human resource capabilities in biochemical engineering e.g. design, construction and maintenance of a pilot plant and the development of separations technology for use in the development of new products and the improvement of production efficiency.

Medical Biotechnology Center at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University

The objectives of this laboratory are to carry out R&D in the application of biotechnology in health and health related areas. Emphasis is placed on the development of diagnostic kits for tropical diseases such as dengue and malaria.

Cassava and Starch Conversion Technology Unit at Kasetsart University

The objective of this unit is to develop value-added products from cassava and rice starch such as modified starch and high value food products.

Bioservice Unit

The main objective of this unit is to provide biomolecular resources for researchers from both public and private sectors. Services that the unit currently provides include the analysis of biological samples using new techniques such as fluorescence activated cell sorting and capillary electrophoresis. The unit also provides custom synthesized oligonucleotides.

DNA Fingerprinting Unit

The main responsibility of this unit is to provide support for using DNA Fingerprinting technology for the quality assessment of plant varieties, animal breeds, and food products. Research in related areas such as molecular marker development and genome research are also carried out.

Following EU regulations on GMO labeling, there has been a tremendous increase in demand for testing raw food materials and food products from the private sector in Thailand. As the only facility in the country capable of testing for GMO content, the DNA technology laboratory is operating at full capacity in response to the demand. The unit has the capability to identify foreign genes in most organisms and food products including soya sauce (patent pending), with the exception of high purity oil.

V. Other players in biotechnology sector

The number of private companies and research institutions active in biotechnology R&D are limited. Most foreign companies have done little biotechnology R&D in Thailand, having participated in the Thai market through export and technology transfer activities. Several of the Thai universities are involved in some form of biotechnology research but it is not extensive. A non-exclusive listing of research work at universities is contained in Table 3.

With a strong agricultural base, it is not surprising that the food processing and production industrial sector are those with the keenest interest in the use of molecular biology and biotechnology for:

• Food processing and increasing value add of products
• Genetic improvement of plants and livestock
• evelopment of diagnostics (There are around approximately 2-3 companies producing locally developed diagnostics and 4-5 companies producing diagnostics developed overseas.)
• Aquaculture
• Development of biological products, especially for biological control in agriculture.

With these interests in mind and awareness of the costs involved in research, industry linkages with local institutes are often on a consortium basis. Examples include:

• BIOTEC has linkages with the Environment Technology Club and the Fermentation Industry Consortium
• Mahidol University is collaborating with the Soya Sauce Industry Consortium
• King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Thonburi has linkages with the Algal Production Industry and a consortium interested in anaerobic treatment of agro-industrial waste.

There is a considerable amount of collaboration by Thailand with foreign countries in biotechnology that is seen by Thailand as an effective way of keeping abreast of developments with the least investment. Canada is one of these participants (see Table 4 for listing)

Scientific Entrepreneurship:

The drive towards scientific entrepreneurship is still in its infancy in Thailand and the translational infrastructure requires significant development. For example, while support for technology transfer is available for start-up companies and intellectual property personnel have been allocated to assist researchers in exploring commercialization potential, the numbers of these trained personnel are limited.

Moreover, with regards to technology transfer, intellectual property from projects funded by the NSTDA is owned by the agency and royalty fees vary according to each project. There are also no set rules or precedents yet to provide incentives to investigators who spin-off companies or develop products which are licensed to industry. However, government support for scientific entrepreneurs is in place with the NSTDA Investment Center (NIC) and the Venture Capital Fund of the Department of Industrial Promotion offering potential investment support to start-ups. Other parties, who are receptive to such investments, include the Nomura JAFCO Capital Co Ltd, which makes deals of approximately 10 million baht.

VI. Main sectors of activity

Protecting and building its export business in agriculture and food products is of considerable concern to Thailand and anything that will enhance Thailand's position in these markets is of interest. However, the regulatory framework of some of its principal trading partners, particularly Europe and Japan, restricts the adoption of biotechnology products thereby to some extent limiting Thailand's capability to embrace this technology. Local Non Government Organizations (NGO's) and other public interest groups have become increasingly vocal in their anti-biotechnology stance.

On the other hand, the Thai government acknowledges the value of biotechnology and appears keen to embrace this technology, seeing it as a means to protect small-medium scale enterprises whose existence will be threatened when Thailand opens its agri-food industry under the World Trade Organization agreement. The government sees biotechnology as means for many of these industries to improve their products and efficiencies. The interests of the agriculture and food industries in Biotechnology include genetic improvement of plants, livestock and aquatic species, food processing to improve value added value and pest control in agriculture. In the biomedical field a limited number of companies are developing and/or improving imported diagnostics. Production of pharmaceutical agents is very limited and focuses on generic drugs.

The strategy for bioresearch in Thailand formulated by the two main funding agencies TRF and BIOTEC involves three key elements - The Biodiversity Research and Training programme (initiated in 1996), the tropical disease programme (started in 1997) and the Thailand Postgeonomics programme. The last element has been delayed, but will start in 2002 (Section III). Some of the main sectors of activity follow:

1. Animal related biotechnology

Thai researchers are active in the area of animal biotechnology. Programs for development of animal health/diagnostic products and animal production techniques are the focus. Research is in the initial stages and much more effort will be needed, including imported technology and expertise, to reach the advanced stage necessary before results can be applied commercially. Research projects in progress include:

Dairy Cow Program: The focus is on improved breeding programs and feed regimes. The traditional breeding practice in Thailand has been too slow to meet national requirements. The importation of pregnant heifers and/or young calves' quality bred from abroad is too costly. Thai scientists are familiar with technologies such as embryo transfer, in vitro fertilization, embryo sexing and semen sexing. However, technological and economical factors are limiting the commercial potential of this work. Technology transfer and training of Thai researchers are required if the goal of production of high quality heifer calves is to be achieved.

DNA fingerprinting: Work on the identification of genetic markers for production and disease traits in livestock is being carried out at the Veterinary Faculty of Kasetsart University. This research will be used as the basis for developing diagnostic kits.

2. Plant related biotechnology

Agricultural crop production is central to Thailand's success so it is therefore not surprising that this sector attracts the most research and development interest. Several factors act as the stimulus for this effort, including, improving crop yield, protection of agricultural crops from diseases and pests, post harvest handling and diversification of products.

Rice Biotechnology Program: Rice yields in Thailand are low. One of the major constraints in this crop is blast disease, especially in high-quality rice cultivars such as the aromatic "Khao-Hom Dawk-Mali". In Northern Thailand, about 200,000 hectares of rice paddy were affected by blast in 1993 resulting in government intervention of about C$15 million to assist disease struck farmers. Another C$1.8 million was spent on fungicides. Attempts have been made to breed higher resistance levels to blast in Thai rice, but lack of insight and information of resistance genes and the complex structure of the pathogen populations have delayed progress. Molecular genetic methods are now used such as DNA fingerprinting of a blast isolate collection and mapping of host resistance genes.

Rice research in Thailand is centered on three closely related activities:

• Establishment of a suitable differential cultivar series.
• Pathotype and molecular genetic characterization of the blast pathogen population in Thailand. There are now more than 500 mono-spore isolates in the national culture collection.
• The potential of using Thai isolates of Magnaporthe grisea for development of a molecular, diagnostic tool for pathogen rice analysis. The Thai government through is biotechnology agency, BIOTEC, provided C$2.2 million in 1999 to initiate the "Rice Genome Project Thailand". BIOTEC, on behalf of Thailand, joined the International Collaboration for Sequencing the Rice Genome [ICSRG], Thailand's contribution is to sequence 1 Mb annually of chromosome 9 for the next five years. Total support for this project will be C$5.5 million. Joining ICSRG will allow Thai scientists to directly access the rest of the genome sequence.

Disease markers: Tomato production in the tropics and subtropics faces serious constraints due to bacterial wilt, a disease caused by the bacterial pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum. In Thailand, an endemic outbreak of bacterial wilt in tomato, potato, pepper, ginger, and peanut occurs each year, causing a total yield loss of approximately 50 - 90% depending on growing conditions. Development of bacterial wilt species is a priority in Thailand. A tomato consortium has been established to extend public-private sector collaboration. Presently three putative QTL's corresponding to bacterial wilt have been found.

Agriculture and Gene Engineering: Efforts on agricultural biotechnology and genetic engineering have focused on three main areas - plant transformation, DNA fingerprinting and molecular diagnosis of plant diseases. Thus far, the following crop plants have been genetically transformed: 

Tomato. The virus coat protein gene has been inserted for the control of tomato yellow leaf curl virus. The transgenic plants are in contained greenhouses waiting field-testing.

Papaya. A coat protein gene has been inserted to control papaya ring spot virus. At present, transgenic plants with mature fruits are in contained greenhouses waiting field-testing. Besides the coat protein gene, a delayed ripening gene has also been transformed into papaya.

Chili pepper. Chili vein-banding mottle virus a disruptive disease of chili peppers. Coat protein and replicase genes have been used in transformations to control the virus. The transgenic plants with mature fruits are in contained greenhouses waiting field-testing.

Cotton. A local cotton variety (Sri Somrong 60) has been transformed using Bt genes Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac developed by the University of Ottawa, Canada, in collaboration with CIRAD/CA and Kasetsart University.

The transgenic plants are still in the laboratory.

Yard Longbean. A coat protein gene has been transformed into these plants for the control of cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus. The transformation process has had more problems than in the case of other plant transformation and little progress has been made.

3. Bio-control Program

In an effort to build domestic competence in bio- insecticide and herbicide production, a program on biocontrol systems was initiated. Support is from the government and Thailand Research Fund [TRF]. Two companies produce, commercially, Trichoderma to control Sclerotim rolfsii Sacc., and Chaetomium to control soil fungi such as Phytophthora. A pilot-scale production facility for production of nuclear polyhedrosis virus, Bacillus thuringiensis and B. sphericus has been established jointly between BIOTEC and the Department of Agriculture.

Nuclear polyhedrosis virus is widely used to control Spodoptera moth in the production of grapes. Bacillus thuringiensis [BT] produced locally has gained popularity over the last few years. Production of the bacillus has taken up the production capacities of pilot plants at Mahidol University and King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi. Commercial production should begin in the near future.

4. Shrimp Biotechnology Program

Shrimp related biotechnology research in Thailand emphasizes on improving seed supply and characterization, diagnosis and control of serious shrimp pathogens, particularly yellow-head disease and white-spot syndrome disease. These diseases have become progressively a more serious threat to the industry as it has expanded and intensified. The work on yellow-head virus and white-spot virus has helped to substantially reduce the losses caused by these viruses in Thailand since 1995 - principally due to availability of DNA diagnostic probes. Checking for sub-clinical white-spot syndrome virus infections by PCR is now a common practice in Thailand to help farmers screen out white-spot virus post larvae before stocking. A shrimp biotechnology service laboratory was established in July 1999 at BIOTEC to summarize the reference PCR methods for shrimp viral disease detection for Thai shrimp farms. The objective is to serve as a reference laboratory for major shrimp pathogen diagnosis based on molecular techniques, to conduct research and to provide assistance and reagents for molecular detection of various shrimp viruses.

An industry consortium was formed in 1996 [the Shrimp Culture Research and Development Company] with the mandate to resolve problems common to the shrimp aquaculture industry. The consortium serves the industry directly and also as a bridge to other public and private institutions involved in relevant research, not only in Thailand, but throughout the world. The Marine Biotechnology Unit (MBU) was established jointly by the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology and Aquatic Resources Research Institute of Chulalongkorn University in 1987. The Unit: 

• Screens algae strains for feed purposes
• Studies RFLP patterns of giant freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium rosenberghi) for the design of appropriate breeding plans
• Attempts to manipulate the gonad inhibiting hormones (GIH) to regulate growth, maturity and reproductive success of prawns

5. Food processing

Biotechnology has been used in baking, brewing and production of traditional foods in Thailand for centuries, but intensive R & D started only recently. Food biotechnology is being used to enhance food quality and extend shelf life. However, most of this work involves first generation biotechnology.

R & D in this industry is intended to solve the problems of the food processing industry, commercialize traditional processing systems, improve raw material utilization and reduce environmental impact.

6. Cassava and Starch Technology

Tapioca starch industry is one of the largest industries in Thailand. About 40% of the starch is used for the production of modified starch, sweetener and monosodium glutamate. The program carries out R&D to improve processing efficiency, minimize waste and drive product diversification.

7. Biomedical

Biomedical science is by far the strongest of the three roots of biotechnology in Thailand. Major achievements from indigenous research in biomedical science in Thailand include those on both basic and clinical aspects of tropical diseases, genetics and nutrition. Even before the advent of genetic engineering and molecular biology, Thailand has already recorded many advances in these areas at the international level.

Such as DNA diagnosis of and molecular typing and identification of disease carrying vectors for malaria, dengue hemorrhagic fever, melioidosis and the liver fluke disease (Opisthorchiasis). A Rapid detection and identification of Dengue viruses via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been achieved. A vaccine based on attenuated Dengue virus is in advanced stage of clinical trial. In the area of biocontrol of mosquitoes, toxin genes from Bacillus thuringiensis israeliensis have been cloned and expressed from E.coli. Bacteria from mosquito-larva gut have been selected and transformed with the mosquito-lavicidal genes from various sources.

The pharmaceutical market in Thailand was worth about US$630 million in 2001. The market consists of ethical drugs (pharmaceuticals sold under prescription through hospitals and drug stores) and over the counter products. The ethical market is slightly larger representing about 56% of the total.

Doctors are not the only ones to prescribe drugs in Thailand. Many patients, especially those not living in Bangkok go to their local pharmacist for a prescription, and many Thai's also use oriental medicines. Thai pharmaceutical manufactures serve mainly the domestic market and only a small number of pharmaceuticals are exported.

Thai pharmaceutical companies have a tradition of looking for products that are no longer patent protected; however, an increasing number of companies are producing under license for western multinationals. There is no private sector R & D by Thai drug companies.

VII. The regulatory environment

1. Testing genetically modified organisms

Products of biotechnology are regulated at two levels, national and institutional. The National Biosafety Committee (NBC) was established in January 1993, Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs) at research institutes were subsequently encouraged.

Thailand's bio-safety guidelines consist of two parts, those for laboratories, and a second set for trials. These documents are available in both Thai and English language versions.

Management of field-testing is through cooperation with the research institutes. The IBC is responsible for research work at its own institute, in consultation with the NBC. The NBC acts as the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives' (MOAC) Technical Advisory Committee with BIOTEC as its secretariat. Application for field-testing is sent to the Director General of the Department of Agriculture (DOA), MOAC, with a copy to the NBC. The NBC will, after careful consideration of the proposal, provide its recommendation to the DOA for final consideration and approval.

The DOA has made a Ministerial Declaration under the Plant Quarantine Act that all transgenic plants are prohibited from entering the country, unless permission is granted by the Director General (DG) of DOA, and only for experimental purposes. Therefore, the applicant has to seek this permission as the first step. All relevant information and documents concerning transgenic plants (nature of genes, gene constructs, transformation process, etc.) has to be submitted to the DOA DG with a copy to BIOTEC (as NBC's secretariat). NBC will consider the case and give recommendation to the DOA DG for final consideration. The case may be approved or rejected depending on the joint DOA-NBC decision.

Steps involved in gaining approval for field-testing of transgenic plants. Using the above documents, NBC considers a detailed proposal to test transgenic plants in the field. If the proposal is sound, NBC will give a recommendation to the DOA for approval. If not, NBC will discuss with the applicant points to be corrected. At the same time, DOA has its own IBC to consider the case. Finally, the opinion from both committees will be collected and decision is made by the DOA DG to approve or to reject the field test. Over the past 5 years, 16 applications have been assessed by the NBC and the DOA, most of which were for lab research and contained greenhouse experiments. None of the items has been deregulated for commercialization.

There have been only a few cases of field testing of transgenic plants in Thailand. These are:

• Flavr Savr Tomato. In 1993 Calgene Fresh Company requested to conduct a field test on seed production of genetically engineered Flavr Savr tomato in Thailand. Permission was granted in 1994. The proposed parental lines had all been tested in the US under permit from USDA/ APHIS. The NBC at the time considered the case in accordance with the biosafety guidelines and imposed some conditions. Calgene had to work with a local company and a plant pathologist from a university. Since it was the first case, the testing had to be carried out under contained environment: a netted house to prevent the insect pollination. In 1995-1996 DNA Plant Technology (DNAP) received approval for field testing a similar delayed ripening tomato, this time in an open field in the northeast of the country.
• Monsanto Bt Cotton. The application to field test Bt cotton was made in 1995. It was recommended that the Bt cotton be planted in a netted screen house. Tests were conducted on the survival of beneficial insects under the same containment as the Bt cotton. The experiment was performed in the northeast of Thailand, beginning in March 1996 and repeated in open fields in the rainy season. Approval was given to test the materials in open fields at the DOA's experiment stations and in farmers' fields in 1997. Results from the field tests indicated that there was no risk involved in the planting of Bt cotton. At present the case is under consideration for deregulation for commercial production.
• Bt Corn. The third field-tested transgenic crop was Novartis' Bt corn. The test is being performed in the netted house in Takfah, Nakhon Sawan at the company's experiment station. In order to have an effective system to monitor field-testing, NBC and DOA has established a 'Joint Working Group Committee on Monitoring of Field Tests'. Experts from DOA and NBC collaborate in considering the design of experiment, field visits, and provision of recommendations (including post harvest practices).

The weakness of the current regulatory system is that the NBC's Bio-safety Guidelines are not law, meaning that there are no provisions to impose penalties to any party not following the guidelines.

Relevant laws that can be applied to the regulations; are the 1964 Plant Quarantine Act and many other laws related to control of animal feed, science and technology development, environment conservation, consumer protection, intellectual property rights, etc.

Generally, Thailand lacks the standard infrastructures for most operational steps in field testing procedures. There are no standard facilities and personnel for systematic testing; therefore private companies applying for approval have to build their own contained environment (greenhouse or netted house). Company standards vary and the quality of the contained facility is questionable in some cases. This situation puts the burden of extra costs onto the shoulders of applicants. Facilities are to be established at Kasetsart University, Kamphaengsaen Campus, about 90 km from Bangkok. The campus itself is completely enclosed and access is controlled. There will be a maximum of four levels of physical containment relevant to risk assessment and safe transfer to the field of transgenic plants. Depending on the nature of the crop and the trait introduced, part or all of these levels of containment may be required in the course of a risk management procedure. The four levels are:

• a. Fully contained growth room/greenhouse
• b. Pollen proof greenhouse
• c. Insect proof screenhouse
• d. Enclosed fields

The above project, funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, is expected to be completed soon. Once operational, it will be the central station for the testing of transgenic material in Thailand. It will adhere to international and national bio-safety guidelines, and will be available for both public and private agencies.

2. Food and Drug Agency regulations

Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an agency within the Ministry of Health, is responsible for monitoring the quality of domestic and imported biological products. A full description of the FDA regulations and how they pertain to Canadian exporters is contained in a separate study entitled 'Thailand's food import regulations' also on the Canadian Embassy in Bangkok web-site. Your Thai importer will generally be responsible for understanding the regulatory requirements and obtaining the necessary product registration and licenses on your behalf.

3. Intellectual property protection

Patents granted by the Thai Patent Office are valid for up to 20 years. Design patents are valid for 10 years. The Thai Patent Act 1979 now extends patent protection to pharmaceutical products. Thailand is not a signatory to any international patent conventions, which means that owners of rights to inventions or designs in foreign countries who enter business transactions in Thailand will receive no protection under the Patent Act of Thailand. The owner should seek a separate patent in Thailand.

Trademarks registered under the Trademark Act 1991 are valid for 10 years, with provision for renewal. Registration is now available for service marks and certification marks. Limited protection is given under the local Civil and Commercial Code to foreign trademarks that are not registered in Thailand.

Thailand has enacted a Copyright Law that protects literary and artistic works and computer . Thailand is also a signatory to the Berne Convention on copyright law. While there have been many instances of copyright infringement in the past, Thailand has made concerted efforts to alleviate this problem, to the extent that the United States has removed Thailand from its "priority foreign country" watch list. Still, it is advisable to obtain legal counsel on this matter.

VIII. Contacts:

Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment
BIOTEC
National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
National Science and Technology Development Agency Building
73/1 Rama VI Road
Rajdhevee
Bangkok 10400
Tel: (662) 644 8150
Fax: (662) 644 8107

Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
Office of the Permanent Secretary
Ratchadamnoen Nok Road
Bangkok 10200
Tel: (662) 281 5955
Fax: (662) 281 6996

Department of Livestock Development
Thanon Phaya Thai
Bangkok 10400
Tel: (662) 653 4550
Fax: (662) 653 4912

Animal Diseases Control Division
Department of Livestock Development
Phyathai Road
Bangkok 10400
Tel: (662) 653 4442
Fax: (662) 653 4865
Contact: Dr. Laddawalaya Ratananakorn

Plant Quarantine Subdivision
Agricultural Regulatory Division
Department of Agriculture
Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Tel: (662) 940 6573, 940 6670 Ext. 108
Fax: (662) 579 4129

Animal Quarantine (Livestock and Carcasses)
Disease Control Division
Department of Livestock
Phyathai Road
Bangkok 10400
Tel: (662) 252 5967
Fax: (662) 252 5967

The Food and Drug Administration
Food Control Division
Tivanont Road, Muang
Nonthaburi 11000
Tel: (662) 590 7273/9
Fax: (662) 591 8480
Contact: Dr. Narong Chayakul - Secretary General
1. Contact for import licence, product registration and label approval
Tel: (662) 590 7178
Fax: (662) 591 8460
2. Contact for food products from animals
Tel: (662) 590 7207/8
3. Contact for food products from plants
Tel: (662) 590 7023
4. Contact for chemicals and food additives
Tel: (662) 590 7209, 590-7219
5. Contact for food for special purposes and food supplement
Tel: (662) 590 7205, 590-7098
6. Contact for other food products
Tel: (662) 590 7220
7. Contact for food Inspection
Inspection Division
Tel: (662) 590 7323
Fax: (662) 591 8477
8. Contact for pharmaceuticals
Drug Control Division
Tel: (662) 591 8463/5 Fax: (662) 590 7170
Contact: Ms. Raviwan Preedeesanit - Director

Ministry of Public Health, Department of Medical Sciences
Office of the Permanent Secretary
Tivanont Road
Muang
Nonthaburi 11000
Tel: (662) 591 8536
Fax: (662) 591 8537

Food Analysis Division
Department of Medical Sciences
Soi Bumratnaradul Hospital
Muang, Nonthaburi 11000
Tel: (662) 951 0000 Ext. 9561
Fax: (662) 951 1023

Drug Control Division
Food and Drug Administration
Tivanont Road, Muang
Nonthaburi 11000
Tel: (662) 591 8464
Fax: (662) 591 8463
Director: Mrs. Ploenpit Sornniyom

Division of manufacturing and import facilities control
Food and Drug Administration
Tirvanond Road, AmphoeMuang
Nonthaburi 11000
Tel: (662) 591 8460 ext. 105-107, 121, 590-7177
Director: Ms. Wimol Lingsomwong

Product registration section
Food control division
Food and Drug Administration
Tirvanond Road, AmphoeMuang
Nonthaburi 11000
Tel: (662) 591 8461/2
Fax: (662) 591 8461
Director: Mr. Sopon Huabchareon

Department of Science Service
Rama IV Road
Bangkok 10400
Tel: (662) 201 7000
Fax: (662) 644 5698

Division of Food Analysis
Department of Medical Sciences
693 Bamrung Muang Road
Bangkok 10100
Tel: (662) 224 3457
Fax: (662) 223 9873
Director: Ms. Supatra Oiem-oerb

Ministry of Commerce
Office of the Permanent Secretary
Sanam Chai Road
Bangkok 10200
Tel: (662) 225 0048
Fax: (662) 224 0915

Department of Intellectual Property
Services and Information Division
44/100 Sanan Binnam Road
Bang Krasor
Nonthaburi, 11000
Tel: (662) 547 4621
Fax: (662) 547 4691

Import Formalities Division
Customs Department
Sunthonkosa Road
Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110
Tel: (662) 249 4102
Fax: (662) 249 4102

Canadian Embassy
15th Floor, Abdulrahim Place
990, Rama IV Road
Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Tel: (662) 636 0540
Fax: (662) 636 0568
E-mail: bngkk-td@dfait-maeci.gc.ca
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/bangkok

Thai-Canadian Chamber of Commerce
9th Floor, Sethiwan Building
139 Pan Road, Silom
Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Tel: (662) 266 6085-6
Fax: (662) 266 6087
E-mail: tccc@ksc.th.com 
http://www.thai-canadian-chamber.org/

USEFUL WEBSITES

Canadian Embassy in Bangkok http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/bangkok/

InfoExport: Thailand http://www.infoexport.gc.ca/th/

Thai-Canadian Chamber of Commerce http://www.thai-canadian-chamber.org/

Industry Canada http://strategis.gc.ca/

The Nation http://www.nationmultimedia.com/

Bangkok Post http://www.bangkokpost.net/

University research in Biotechnology
Chulalongkorn University

Mushroom Research Unit - http://www.sc.chula.ac.th/research/rschunt.asp?t1=34
Malaria Research Unit - http://www.sc.chula.ac.th/research/rschunt.asp?t1=24
Biotechnology of Plant Biomass Utilization - http://www.sc.chula.ac.th/research/rschunt.asp?t1=33
Plants of Thailand Research Unit - http://www.sc.chula.ac.th/research/rschunt.asp?t1=32
Enzyme Technology - http://www.sc.chula.ac.th/research/rschunt.asp?t1=17
Marine Biotechnology Research unit - http://www.sc.chula.ac.th/research/rschunt.asp?t1=38
Agricultural Microbiology - http://www.sc.chula.ac.th/research/rschunt.asp?t1=15
Genetic Engineering unit Cell - http://www.sc.chula.ac.th/research/rschunt.asp?t1=19
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Research Unit - http://www.pharm.chula.ac.th/phadep.htm

Kasetsart University

Department of Plant Pathology - http://158.108.200.11/ppath/index.html
Department of Entomology - http://158.108.200.11/ento/index.html
Department of Agronomy - http://158.108.200.11/agron/index.html
Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute - http://www.rdi.ku.ac.th/main.htm

Mahidol University

Department of Biochemistry - http://www.mahidol.ac.th/mahidol/sc/scbc/research.html
Department of Biology - http://www.mahidol.ac.th/mahidol/sc/scbio/
Department of Biotechnology - http://www.mahidol.ac.th/mahidol/sc/scbt/
Department of Microbiology - http://www.mahidol.ac.th/mahidol/sc/scmi/General/content.htm

Thammasart University

Department of Biotechnology - http://ranger.tu.ac.th/~prachid/biohome/index.html

King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi

Fermentation Technology - http://www.pdti.kmutt.ac.th/ferm.htm
Algal Technology Laboratory - http://www.pdti.kmutt.ac.th/algal.htm
Food Technology and Engineering - http://www.pdti.kmutt.ac.th/food.htm
Sensors Technology - http://www.pdti.kmutt.ac.th/bios.htm
Gene Technology - http://www.pdti.kmutt.ac.th/gene.htm

Chiang Mai University

Department of Biology - http://www.science.cmu.ac.th/bio.html
Department of Food Engineering - http://www.agro.cmu.ac.th/FE/feindex.htm
Multiple Cropping Center - http://203.146.57.254/index_e.html
Department of Plant Pathology - http://203.146.57.226/dept/ppath/index.htm
Department of Agronomy - http://203.146.57.226/dept/agron/
Department of Entomology - http://203.146.57.226/dept/ent/index.html
Department of Biotechnology - http://www.agro.cmu.ac.th/BIOT/BIOT.htm

Suranaree University of Technology

School of Biotechnology - http://sut2.sut.ac.th/AgriTech/biotech/
Crop Production Technology - http://sut2.sut.ac.th/AgriTech/Crop/
Food Technology - http://sut2.sut.ac.th/AgriTech/Food/

Mahasarakham University

Department of Biology - http://www.msu.ac.th/bio-dept/bio-dept.htm

Assumption University

Faculty of Biotechnology - http://www.au.edu/academics/biotech/biotech.html

Chulabhorn Research Institute
Prince of Song Kla University
Department of Medical Science
Chulabhorn Research Institute - http://www.cri.or.th/
Department of Agriculture
Department of Fisheries
Royal Forest Department
Department of Agriculture - http://www.doa.go.th/