Thailand to boost R&D spending to move closer to being “green” economy

Thailand wants to move towards a green economy and to meet its goal, it plans to increase the national R&D spending and offer tax incentives. Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Economic Board (NESDB), said that raising national R&D spending to 2% of gross domestic product (GDP) from the present 0.2%, as announced by the recently elected Thai government, will encourage the development of technology that in turn, will help lower production costs of “green” products. Tax incentives will also encourage businesses to allocate natural resources for green industries. “Bioplastics, for instance, will never be developed commercially without tax incentives,” Arkhom said. Pongvipa Lohsomboon, carbon business director of the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation, said the government should place the goal of a green economy on the national agenda and prepare long-term infrastructure support. “We must change people’s mindset, or else the green economy will never materialize in Thailand,” she said. Natee Sithiprasasana, CEO of A. T. Biopower, said a sea change is needed among political leaders’ attitudes to usher in a green economy in Thailand. “Government policies now actually make it more difficult. Take, for example, free rides on public transport and utility bill subsidies,” he said. A.T. Biopower operates a 22 megawatt (MW) thermal power plant using rice husks in Pichit Province. (August 25, 2011)