Thailand has established itself as a chemical hub in Southeast Asia, with sustained industrial expansion following the discovery of natural gas reserves in the early 1980s. The chemical sector, particularly petrochemicals, constitutes a fundamental pillar of the national economy.
The industry's operations are concentrated within the Map Ta Phut petrochemical cluster located in Rayong province. This integrated industrial complex, encompassing nearly 60 major corporations with an aggregate annual production capacity of 37 million tonnes, maintains its position among the world's top 20 petrochemical complexes.
Following a 3 per cent production growth in 2024, the industry outlook for 2025 remains challenging due to global overcapacity and low market prices, according to Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI). The Thai government has shifted support toward higher-profile sectors such as automation and robotics. The chemical sector is therefore undergoing strategic transformation from conventional petrochemical product
