Leaders promote resilience as competitive advantage
Thailand must turn global disruptions such as geopolitical tensions, artificial intelligence (AI) and slowing growth into long-term economic opportunities through coordinated investment, according to business leaders at Bangkok Business Summit 2026.
Leaders at the Bangkok Business Summit 2026 are promoting resilience as a competitive advantage for Thai companies amid global challenges. Suphachai Chearavanont, senior vice-chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group, called for transforming agriculture into a high-value, demand-driven industry, highlighting the potential of durian exports.
To capture the AI revolution, he proposed a five-layer system and a 100-billion-baht university innovation fund. Kattiya Indaravijaya, CEO of Kasikornbank, emphasized that banks should channel capital towards productive enterprises and expand green and sustainable finance frameworks. The Bank of Thailand's deputy governor, Piti Disyatat, stressed that resilience should be viewed as a source of competitiveness, not just shock absorption.
Thailand's trend growth has flattened after major shocks, and declining firm dynamism is a key structural weakness. Thai businesses must invest in resilience to generate higher average growth. External pressures include global environmental regulations, which can be addressed by improving resource allocation and reforming bankruptcy processes.
Developing intellectual property is crucial for advanced manufacturing, according to Harald Link, chairman of B.Grimm. The biggest challenge for AI integration is leadership; companies must make staff enthusiastic about change. Behavioural change is difficult, even for large corporations like Indorama Ventures, which employs 25,000 people.
Thai businesses have a geographical advantage, but building a comprehensive supply chain is not necessary. Passion and leadership are essential for AI deployment, with companies needing to help staff understand the change journey.
Written by urgent.news from Bangkok Post Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
