How to build
Six steps from a Thai asset to a global product.
Each step comes before the next. Each lists the agencies, labs and rules you need, linked to their official sites.
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Step 1 of 6 · Choose
Pick one Thai asset and one result people can feel.
Start from what Thailand already has: a GI product, a Herbal Champion, Nuad Thai or Thai music. Then name one result people want, such as less pain, better sleep or steadier blood sugar.
- The six opportunitiesWhat Thailand has, the top products and the proof gap in each area.TLV
- Thai GI directoryThe 269 Thai GI products, with product and research ideas.TLV
- DTAM research (opens official site)Studies from the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine.Government
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Step 2 of 6 · Know your route
Know your route: food, herbal product, wellness service, or digital and device.
Each route has its own rules and its own allowed claims. Apps and devices that diagnose may count as medical devices. Choose your route before you test, so you test for a claim you are allowed to make.
- Thai FDA: herbal products (opens official site)Registration of herbal products and traditional medicines.Rules
- Thai FDA: Notification No. 447 (opens official site)The nutrition and health claims food makers can use.Rules
- Department of Health Service Support (opens official site)Licenses for spas, massage shops and health businesses.Rules
- Department of Intellectual Property (opens official site)GIs, trademarks and patents.IP
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Step 3 of 6 · Prove it
Prove it with evidence buyers and regulators trust.
Measure the one result you chose, with an accredited lab or a university research team.
- Department of Medical Sciences (opens official site)Thai Herbal Pharmacopoeia and accredited testing labs.Testing
- KKU National Phenome Institute (opens official site)Metabolomics and personalized-nutrition testing.Testing
- National Food Institute (opens official site)Food testing, standards and product development.Testing
- Siriraj Applied Thai Traditional Medicine (opens official site)Clinical research on Thai traditional medicine.Research
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Step 4 of 6 · Make it
Make it at the same quality, batch after batch.
Secure your raw materials, choose a certified manufacturer and keep every batch the same.
- Herbal Cities (opens official site)Provinces organized around herb growing, processing and wellness.Sourcing
- Government Pharmaceutical Organization (opens official site)State maker of medicines, including herbal medicines.Manufacturing
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Step 5 of 6 · Sell in Thailand
Sell in Thailand first.
Hospitals, wellness centers, pharmacies and community channels let you learn from real customers before you export.
- Chao Phya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital (opens official site)A public hospital that built its own herbal brand.Model
- Community Development Department (OTOP) (opens official site)Community products and the OTOP channel.Channel
- Who's involvedHospitals, wellness brands and buyers in the directory.TLV
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Step 6 of 6 · Go abroad
Take it abroad.
Meet buyers and enter your first export market with partners on the ground.
- Department of International Trade Promotion (opens official site)Trade fairs, buyer matching and export support.Export
- Board of Investment (opens official site)Investment incentives for new plants and partners.Investment
- SEA Bridge (opens official site)Partners across ASEAN, the Nordics and beyond.TLV
At every step
Funding you can apply for along the way.
Each program has its own rules and rounds. Check the official site for what is open now.
- TED Fund (opens official site)Grants for student and early-stage teams.
- National Innovation Agency (NIA) (opens official site)Funding for innovation projects.
- depa (opens official site)Funding for digital products.
Build with us
Want a guide for the whole path?
Selected teams get mentors, introductions and venture-building support from SEA Bridge and our partners.