Thailand is shifting its economic focus toward cultural and digital industries, including fashion, design, film, music, and software development, as the country seeks new growth engines beyond its traditional manufacturing sectors. This strategic pivot toward what officials call the "creative economy" represents Thailand's ambitious plan to build a technology and intellectual property-driven economic model for sustainable long-term growth.
According to data from Thailand's National Economic and Social Development Council, the country's creative economy sector has reached a substantial value of $44.5 billion, representing just over 8 percent of the nation's gross domestic product. This thriving sector currently employs approximately 989,700 people across various industries and supports more than 93,000 business operations throughout the country.
Chakrit Pichyangkul, who serves as director of Thailand's Creative Economy Agency, emphasized that these creative industries are playing an increasingly vital role in the country's long-term economic strategy. However, he noted that their potential remains significantly underestimated when compared to traditional industrial sectors. "People often assume economic success comes from manufacturing or heavy industry," Chakrit explained during his presentation at the Ignite Thailand-Korea Business Forum, which was co-hosted by Herald Media Group and the Thai Embassy in Seoul. "But Thailand's creative economy already accounts for slightly more than 8 percent of gross domestic product and shows how powerful creativity can be as a national growth driver."
The Creative Economy Agency, which was established by the Thai government in 2018, serves as the dedicated organization responsible for nurturing and developing the country's creative industries. Under Chakrit's leadership, the agency has strategically focused its efforts on content-creation sectors, recognizing that these fields depend more heavily on originality and creative skills compared to other industries. This emphasis enables the creation of high-quality employment opportunities and supports value-added production across multiple sectors.
"The content industry is the sector with the highest creative intensity," Chakrit noted. "It reflects the ability to create high-quality jobs and produce high-value products and services." While the content industry currently represents slightly less than 7 percent of Thailand's overall creative economy, its economic impact extends far beyond its direct contribution. According to Chakrit's analysis, the sector generates an estimated $21 billion in broader economic impact through various channels including advertising, entertainment, digital media, and related services. The content sector itself maintains a direct value of approximately $3 billion, based on the same National Economic and Social Development Council data.
Thailand's content sector has been achieving remarkable success on the global stage, demonstrating the country's growing influence in international entertainment markets. Thai-produced Netflix original series have gained significant international recognition, with titles such as "Mad Unicorn" scheduled for 2025 release, "Master of the House" which premiered in 2024, and "Hunger" from 2023 drawing strong audiences worldwide. The Thai film industry reached a historic milestone with the blockbuster movie "How to Make a Billion Before Grandma Dies," released in 2024, which is approaching $100 million in global revenue – marking the highest earnings figure in Thai cinema history.
International collaborations are expanding rapidly, showcasing Thailand's growing appeal as a co-production partner. Notable cross-border projects include the Thai-Korean horror film "The Medium" released in 2021, the Thai-Chinese animated feature "Out of the Nest" which debuted in 2024, and the upcoming "Running Man Thailand." This latter project represents a significant joint venture between Chinese streaming service iQIYI and South Korea's SBS network, with its release scheduled for next year.
Chakrit expressed strong optimism about Thailand's readiness to deepen partnerships with international collaborators in content creation and creative business ventures. "Thailand is ready to work more closely with global partners in content and creative businesses," he stated, emphasizing his hope that increased collaboration and foreign investment will further accelerate the country's creative sector growth trajectory.
To support talent development across the nation, the Creative Economy Agency operates an extensive network of educational and training facilities. The agency currently maintains four regional offices strategically located throughout Thailand, along with its flagship Thailand Creative & Design Center. This public learning hub serves as a comprehensive resource center, offering training programs, educational resources, and access to professional-grade facilities for aspiring creators and established professionals alike.
Looking toward the future, the agency has announced ambitious expansion plans that will significantly increase access to creative resources nationwide. Over the next three years, the Creative Economy Agency plans to establish 20 additional Thailand Creative & Design Center locations across the country. Additionally, the agency maintains active partnerships with 49 domestic universities, providing specialized creative training programs designed to prepare students for careers in Thailand's rapidly growing creative industries.
