BANGKOK, Thailand – The Southeast Asia (Thailand) Intelligent Manufacturing Expo 2026 (IME 2026) officially opened today at the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center in Bangkok, bringing together industry leaders, manufacturers and buyers from across Asia to explore new opportunities in intelligent manufacturing and industrial cooperation.
Responding to Southeast Asia’s accelerating industrial transformation, IME 2026 showcases the latest technologies and integrated manufacturing solutions across industrial automation, artificial intelligence and robotics, high-end CNC machine tools and equipment, laser processing, industrial internet, smart logistics and digital factories. The exhibition highlights how advanced manufacturing technologies are helping businesses improve productivity, digitization and operational efficiency throughout the manufacturing value chain.
Jointly organized by the Trade Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce of the PRC, DEXPO Shanghai Industry & Commerce Exhibition Co., Ltd., and Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai Ltd., IME 2026 combines technology showcases, business matchmaking and industry exchange under one roof. The event provides a dedicated platform for manufacturers, technology providers and buyers to strengthen industrial collaboration between China and Southeast Asia while supporting the region’s manufacturing upgrade.
Industry Leaders Gather to Explore New Opportunities for China–Thailand Manufacturing Cooperation
The opening ceremony brought together senior government officials, industry associations, multinational enterprises, leading intelligent manufacturing companies and professional buyers from around the world, reflecting the growing momentum of manufacturing cooperation between China and Thailand.
Among the distinguished guests attending the opening ceremony were Somboon Pitayarangsarit, Chairman of the Machine and Automation System Industry Club (MASIC), Federation of Thai Industries (FTI); Wang Deyang, Deputy Director General of the Trade Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (MOFCOM); Zhou Jin, Vice President of Donghao Lansheng (Group) Co., Ltd.; Gary Liu, Managing Director of Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai Ltd.; Li Lei, General Manager for the Asia-Pacific Region of Bodor Laser; and Zhao Jianjun, General Manager of Shanghai GKONCY Electric Co., Ltd. In their remarks, the speakers highlighted the complementary strengths of the Chinese and Thai manufacturing sectors and shared their views on technology exchange, resource sharing and long-term industrial cooperation.
Wang Deyang said China’s manufacturing industry is continuing its transition towards high-end, intelligent and green development. As 2026 marks the beginning of a new chapter in the next 50 years of China–Thailand friendship, he said IME 2026 responds to growing demand for industrial upgrading and bilateral economic cooperation by providing an effective platform for collaboration in advanced manufacturing. He expressed hope that the exhibition would facilitate closer connections between advanced manufacturing technologies, high-quality equipment and industrial resources, while contributing to stronger economic and trade cooperation between China and Thailand and to the resilience of regional industrial and supply chains.
Somboon Pitayarangsarit said Thailand is entering a critical phase of industrial transformation, with strategic sectors including next-generation vehicles and electric vehicles, electronics, smart electronics, food processing, automation and robotics playing an increasingly important role in the country’s future competitiveness. He noted that China’s mature intelligent manufacturing technologies and comprehensive industrial supply chain offer valuable opportunities for Thai manufacturers to adopt advanced technologies, explore new business partnerships and strengthen long-term coopera
