Established in 2011 by Regulation of the Prime Minister, Science Park Promotion Agency (SPA) is a unit under Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST). SPA takes responsibility as secretariat office for Science Park Promotion Committee whose chairman is the minister of MOST and also performs important roles to initiate, generate, promote and support mechanisms for driving science parks in Thailand
especially regional science parks. SPA corporately works with 3 regional science parks consist of Northern science park (main hub in Chiang Mai), North eastern science park (main hub in Khon Kaen) and Southern science park (main hub in Songkhla). There are currently 4 main programs provided for supporting industrial sectors, private companies, SMEs and entrepreneurs.
- Science Technology and Innovation Business Incubation
- Collaborative research (target 70:30 investment between private sector and government)
- Industrial Research and Technology Capacity Development
- Support and Services for private sectors i.e.
► IP consulting
► Innovation Design Center
► Laboratory and Testing services
► Technology consult and support by Industrial Liaisons
Science park activities in Thailand are strongly supported by the government as this agenda has been planned and involved in Thailand Country Strategies aiming to drive Thailand out of the middle-income trap. Thai government already support $8.6m for regional science park activities in 2013 and this will be risen to $10m in 2014 including a construction of Northern science park Head Quarter in Chiang Mai. North eastern and Southern science park HQs are expected to start constructing in 2015.
