On September 9, 2026, at INOTEX 2026, Thai Ambassador Sake Nopthaisong highlighted opportunities for tech cooperation between Iran and Thailand, emphasizing complementary strengths and the new Destination Thailand Visa for remote workers.
During the Iran International Innovation & Technology Exhibition (INOTEX), the Ambassador outlined a strategic vision for deepening bilateral ties through science and technology. According to the INOTEX 2026 News Center, the dialogue focused on leveraging existing diplomatic trust to accelerate joint ventures in emerging sectors.
Key strategic areas of cooperation highlighted include:
- Complementary Economic Sectors: Aligning Thailand’s strengths in food security (rice, fruits, vegetables) with Iran’s established capabilities in energy security to create mutually beneficial trade frameworks.
- Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): Promoting the specialized visa allowing remote workers, including Iranian tech professionals and startup founders, to reside and operate in Thailand for up to five years.
- Medical and Automotive Technology: Noting Thailand's position as a major Southeast Asian automotive hub (particularly right-hand drive) and expressing strong interest in cost-effective, domestically produced Iranian medical equipment observed during a prior visit to Pardis Technology Park.
- Human-Centric AI Integration: Emphasizing that while AI is a primary collaboration vector, human oversight, critical thinking, and original ideation remain essential to validate AI-generated outputs and ensure technology genuinely improves daily life.
Nopthaisong concluded by underscoring the 400-year historical relationship between the two nations, noting that direct flights and growing tourism (50,000 Iranian visitors last year) provide a solid foundation for expanding people-to-people and technological exchanges.
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