Mr. Dhanin Chearavanont, Senior Chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group, spoke at the Chula Thailand Presidents Summit 2025 regarding the future of Thailand’s economy. He believes that Thailand has a bright future due to the current global changes and disruptions, which provide the country with several advantages, particularly in agriculture.
The chairman refers to agriculture as “oil on land” and believes agriculture is a valuable asset for Thailand, with nearly 90% of its revenue generated domestically from upstream to downstream. He argues that Thailand has an advantage in agriculture because it does not have to rely on importing materials for this sector.
The investment in irrigation and farm roads instead of just highways could increase agricultural output fivefold, stated Dhanin while highlighting the need to focus on water management and utilise the expertise available at universities.
He emphasizes the need to adopt AI and technology in the agriculture sector from upstream to downstream. Examples of technology mentioned are driverless tractors and agricultural drones, which CP Group already uses in Thailand, China, and Russia, to drive efficiency and lower the costs.
The CP Group is involved in all aspects of agriculture, from fertilizers and pesticides to animal feed, transportation and retail. However, the chairman reiterates that the company does not have a monopoly.
Additionally, the adoption of AI requires a significant amount of electricity. Mr. Dhanin also stresses the importance of nuclear energy for the future as a clean and safe energy source, which Thailand currently lacks. He argues that Thailand needs to supplement its energy supply with nuclear power, as it is vital for the future.
