Study Tour to Bangkok 2026: Innovation, Industry, and Impact in Thailand

From February 23–26, 2026, 29 participants representing seven nationalities joined NUCB Business School’s Bangkok Study Tour, hosted by the Sasin School of Management.

Designed around themes of innovation, industrial transformation, and regional strategy, the program offered participants direct exposure to Thailand’s evolving economic landscape and its growing role within Asia.

Academic Perspectives on Strategy and Transformation

The program opened with sessions examining Thailand’s macroeconomic outlook and the strategic position of Japanese firms operating in the region. Faculty at Sasin introduced advanced frameworks for technology roadmapping and long-term forecasting, encouraging participants to think systematically about uncertainty and competitive advantage. Sessions also addressed social innovation and inclusive growth, highlighting how corporations can integrate business performance with broader societal impact.

Industry in Action

Company visits provided insight into how strategy translates into operations.

At Yamaha Motor Thailand, participants engaged with senior management and observed advanced manufacturing processes firsthand. The visit underscored the importance of market segmentation strategy, operational excellence, quality control, and regional production networks in sustaining global competitiveness.

The tour also included the Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi), Thailand’s flagship innovation initiative. The scale of collaboration between government, industry, and academia demonstrated the country’s long-term commitment to next-generation sectors such as robotics, biotechnology, and smart manufacturing.

Together, these visits illustrated how national policy, industrial strategy, and corporate execution intersect in practice.

Innovation, Responsibility, and Regional Collaboration

Further sessions, particularly those featuring visiting Sasin alumni, explored Thailand’s startup ecosystem and the role of public institutions in fostering entrepreneurship. Discussions emphasized the importance of building ecosystems that connect established firms, emerging ventures, and international partners.

Corporate social responsibility was another key theme, particularly in relation to inclusive employment and sustainable development. These conversations reinforced the idea that long-term competitiveness increasingly depends on responsible and adaptive leadership.

Strengthening Global Partnerships

The program concluded with group presentations addressing strategic challenges and opportunities within the Thai context. Participants demonstrated cross-cultural collaboration and applied learning drawn from lectures and site visits.

Beyond the formal sessions, the tour provided something equally valuable: perspective. By engaging directly with organizations and institutions operating in a different national context, participants gained a clearer understanding of Asia’s interconnected future.

The success of the Bangkok Study Tour was made possible through close cooperation with the Sasin Japan Center and its leadership. The partnership continues to deepen academic and professional ties between Japan and Thailand. We look forward to continuing to expand these global learning opportunities in the years ahead.