Chachoengsao: Thanakorn Wangboonkhongchana, Minister of Industry, visited the National Automotive and Tyre Testing, Research, and Innovation Center (ATTRIC) to monitor its construction progress, which is over 80% complete. He emphasized the center’s role in advancing Thailand’s position as a future automotive hub, with plans to attract over 1 billion baht in annual investment.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Thanakorn confirmed that ATTRIC will be fully operational by 2027. Thailand is currently a leader in automotive production, ranking 10th globally and first in the ASEAN region. Notably, Thailand holds the second position globally in tire exports. The ATTRIC Center is poised to become a crucial infrastructure that will promote Thailand as a future investment destination in the automotive industry. This aligns with the Ministry of Industry’s “Fight, Pull, Push” policy aimed at enhancing competitiveness and attracting investment from automotive, parts, and tire manufacturers.
Mr. Nattapol Rangsitpol, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, reported that over 2.683 billion baht has been spent on ATTRIC’s construction. The Ministry has laid out operational guidelines to promote ATTRIC as a “knowledge infrastructure” supporting research and development in the Thai automotive industry. This will serve as a hub for automotive industry development in the ASEAN region, enhancing testing knowledge and developing skilled personnel. The center will reduce the time and costs for Thai entrepreneurs by providing access to high-quality, internationally standardized testing equipment.
Mr. Ekniti Romyanon, Secretary-General of the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI), highlighted the completion of five test tracks, including a tire test track meeting the UN R117 standard and a dynamic test track. Another track, the speed and performance test track, is under construction and set to be operational by 2027. TISI has established 19 standards to support the operations of the testing center, ensuring streamlined operations for testing services.
The testing center has been providing services since 2019, with a testing value exceeding 189 million baht. The center is currently studying management guidelines to support future service provision with maximum efficiency.