Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce Unveils TCEX 2026 to Elevate Intellectual Property in Creative Industries

On 11 July 2026, the Ministry of Commerce inaugurated the Thailand Character & Content Expo 2026 (TCEX 2026) at Paragon Hall, 5th Floor, Siam Paragon, Bangkok. The opening ceremony was presided over by Mrs. Suphajee Suthumpun, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce. The event attracted a broad spectrum of attendees, including Mr. Vuttikrai Leewiraphan, Permanent Secretary for Commerce; Police Major General Putthipong Musikul, Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB); senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce; representatives from government agencies; private sector partners; and numerous creators and entrepreneurs from Thailand’s creative industries.

Mrs. Suthumpun emphasized that TCEX 2026 represents the first comprehensive initiative by the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) to connect Thailand’s character and content sectors. She underscored that intellectual property extends beyond registration and protection—it is a valuable asset capable of generating significant economic returns when effectively developed and leveraged.

Highlighting the economic significance of the creative industry, the Deputy Prime Minister noted that it currently contributes approximately 1.44 trillion baht, or 8.01% of Thailand’s GDP. The Thai character industry alone is valued at over 7.23 billion baht and has experienced an impressive growth rate of 196%, reflecting the strong potential of Thai creators to transform their intellectual property into sustainable business value.

Mrs. Suthumpun further explained that creators who understand and utilize intellectual property rights can expand their works through licensing, merchandising, animation, gaming, digital content development, and collaborations with prominent domestic and international brands. Such activities can unlock new business opportunities and enhance economic value for Thai entrepreneurs.

Thailand currently protects over 1.26 million intellectual property items. Over the past eight years, applications for IP protection have increased at an average annual rate of 7.5%, indicating heightened awareness among entrepreneurs and creators about the importance of safeguarding their intellectual assets.

The success of TCEX 2026 is attributed to the collaborative efforts of multiple government bodies, private sector entities, and partner networks. Together, they have fostered an ecosystem that nurtures creativity and maximizes the value of intellectual property. Mrs. Suthumpun invited the public and entrepreneurs to explore the expo’s four industry zones: Character & Art, Content & Story, Game & Interactive Media, and Creative Lifestyle, designed to inspire and facilitate the transformation of ideas into commercial ventures.

Although the event initially targeted 8,000 visitors over its four-day duration, the first two days alone attracted more than 15,000 attendees. Business matching sessions, which aimed to generate deals worth 500 million baht, have already yielded over 316 million baht in negotiations. The Deputy Prime Minister expressed confidence that the expo’s total economic impact would surpass initial expectations.

Following the opening ceremony, Mrs. Suthumpun witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among partner agencies to jointly promote and develop Thailand’s creative industries. She also participated in a public campaign advocating respect for intellectual property rights under the slogan “Do Not Buy, Do Not Use, Do Not Support Intellectual Property Infringement,” aimed at fostering a culture of legitimate IP use.

TCEX 2026 runs from 9 to 12 July 2026 at Siam Paragon and Siam Center under the theme “The Multiverse of Creativity.” The event features the works of over 250 Thai creators, alongside business matching sessions, seminars, IP consulting services, and inspirational activities for stakeholders in the creative economy.

This initiative reflects the Ministry of Commerce’s commitment to strengthening IP enforcement and supporting the growth of Thailand’s creative industries through multi-agency collaboration and public engagement.