Bangkok, 28 May 2026 – GIZ Thailand, in collaboration with the Thailand Environment Institute (TEI), officially presented five policy recommendation themes to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to support Thailand’s readiness for emerging European Union due diligence regulations affecting key agricultural export commodities, including rubber, palm oil and timber products, which generate a combined export value of over 50 billion baht annually.
These commodities represent significant export value for Thailand and are increasingly subject to requirements on traceability, deforestation-free production, environmental compliance and human rights due diligence. The recommendations aim to help strengthen Thailand’s competitiveness, reduce compliance-related risks and support a fair and inclusive transition for farmers, smallholders and businesses across agricultural supply chains.
The handover ceremony was held at the Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai under the project ‘Enhancing Readiness of Thailand to Facilitate Sustainable Trade and Alignment with EU Due Diligence Regulations’ or FIT for FAIR Thailand, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Over the past eleven months, the project has gathered data, analysed current readiness gaps and engaged stakeholders from 23 organisations, including government agencies, the private sector, business associations, research institutes and civil society organisations.
The five policy recommendation themes:
1. Digital traceability platform
Strengthening digital infrastructure to support supply chain traceability and reduce compliance-related trade risks.
2. Human rights due diligence
Advancing measures on informal agricultural worker registration, labour protection, credible grievance mechanisms and the inclusion of ethnic groups and local communities.
3. Environmental due diligence
Promoting eco-industrial practices, strengthening SME registration and enhancing environmental compliance and certification systems.
4. Stakeholder competency development
Improving digital literacy, compliance knowledge and preparation of evidence-based procedures for audits and due diligence processes.
5. Data repository and support clinic
Establishing a centralised data repository and advisory support mechanism to help Thai operators comply with due diligence requirements correctly and efficiently.
During the official handover ceremony, Johannes Kerner, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to Thailand, highlighted the increasing expectations of the European market: “Europe currently prioritises transparency, data reliability and accountability throughout the supply chain, particularly regarding environmental and human rights issues. Thailand’s proactive policy preparation today will help Thai businesses maintain long-term competitiveness and partner trust, while paving the way for Thai products to transition towards more responsible trade.”
Dr Timo Menniken, Country Director of GIZ Thailand, emphasised that due diligence is becoming an important part of the future of global trade: “The EU’s due diligence regulatory system is becoming the new norm for global trade. Thailand has a strong foundation in both public-private cooperation and digital tool development. However, success requires systemic collaboration and investment in the readiness of smallholders and farmers to ensure that upstream producers are not marginalised. The FIT for FAIR Thailand project aims to foster an enabling environment that makes this adaptation achievable and equitable.”
Following the remarks, Dr Wijarn Simachaya, President of the Thailand Environment Institute, officially handed over the complete policy recommendation package to Krit Uttamavetin, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, for consideration and integration into relevant national policy processes.
Dr Wijarn noted that timely adaptation is essential for Thai exporters to maintain access to European markets and strengthen their position in responsible global supply chains: “These five policy recommendations provide a clear roadmap for practical transformation. They aim to bridge existing gaps, create an enabling environment for Thai operators, and support a smoother transition towards responsible trade. This will not only help retain Thailand’s existing European customer base, but also strengthen the country’s position as a trusted source of transparent and responsible agricultural products.”
The event also featured an in-depth panel discussion entitled ‘Unlocking Future Trade: Delving into Due Diligence Readiness and Practices from Policy to Plot’. Experts from the public and private sectors, including the Agricultural Research Development Agency (ARDA), the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT), and Thai Eastern Group Holdings plc, shared practical experiences and real-world models on traceability, due diligence readiness and implementation at the field level.
To translate these recommendations into practical action, GIZ Thailand and TEI are calling on government agencies, the private sector, business associations, SMEs, buyers, exporters, civil society organisations and farmer networks to continue working together. Priority actions include support measures for smallholders and SMEs, accessible digital tools, capacity-building on evidence-based compliance and effective grievance and remedy mechanisms to ensure that the transition is fair, inclusive and leaves no one behind.
Dr Jeeranuch Sakkhamduang, Expert and Project Manager of FIT for FAIR Thailand at TEI, expressed confidence that multi-stakeholder collaboration would help turn global regulatory challenges into an opportunity to elevate Thai agricultural production practices and support long-term competitiveness in international markets.
The full policy recommendation package will be made available through GIZ Thailand and TEI communication channels later this year.
Gallery
