SEAFDEC Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center
2025 Information Updated
The Kingdom of Thailand is located between latitudes 5° 37’ N and 20° 27’ N and longitudes 97° 22’ E and 105° 37’ E, encompassing a total area of 513,115 km2 (Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning, 2022). The country is bordered by the Lao PDR in the north, Lao PDR and Cambodia in the east, Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia in the south, and Andaman Sea and Myanmar in the west (Figure 1). Thailand is composed of 77 provinces grouped into six geographical regions, namely: North, Northeast (Isan), Central, East, West, and South. The maritime area is adjacent to the Andaman Sea on the west coast and the Gulf of Thailand on the east coast. The exclusive economic zone (EEZ) covers the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, totaling around 316,000 km2.
Due to its geographical location, Thailand has an abundant natural resource, including water, soil, forest, wildlife, mineral, and energy. With the human population of approximately 71,702,435 in 2023 (World bank group, 2025), Fisher resources are the main source of protein, contribute to the economy, and provide employment, food security, and export revenue (Suvanachai, 2022).
In 2023, the gross domestic product (GDP) from fisheries was 2.3 % (Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, 2024), and the fish consumption was 36.45 kg/capita (Department of Fisheries Thailand [DOF Thailand], 2023).
Fisheries Agencies
The Department of Fisheries (DOF) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is the main organization responsible for management and promoting fishery production, improving the quality of aquaculture, freshwater and marine fishery products in compliance with Thailand and international standards, encouraging research and technological for develop innovation, and strengthening capacity building. Besides, DOF is responsible for the monitoring, control, and surveillance of fishing activities to prevent and eliminate IUU fishing in coordination with the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center (Thai-MECC), Marine Department, Royal Thai Navy, Marine Police Division, and Department of Labor.
In addition, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment was established to conserve, recover, and manage marine and coastal resources while promoting awareness of natural resources and environmental management. The DMCR also develops knowledge that supports marine and coastal resource management in response to changing conditions.
Fisheries Legal Frameworks
Thailand has enforced the Royal Ordinance on Fisheries B.E. 2558 (2015) and Amendment B.E. 2560 (2017) to systematically regulate fisheries activities and in accordance with international standards. The objectives are to prevent IUU fishing, ensure sustainable utilization of aquatic resources, and preserve the marine and freshwater environments. Moreover, the multiple purposes of the ordinance are to manage fisheries operations based on good governance principles, ensuring comprehensive and accurate data collection to support effective policymaking; especially to protect and assist small-scale fisheries and local fishing communities, which are of significant importance to the fisheries sector of Thailand, enabling them to operate sustainably while maintaining a high quality of life.
From an international perspective, the Royal Ordinance requires Thailand to comply with international obligations to manage marine resources effectively and combat IUU fishing. Furthermore, it also emphasizes the use of the best available scientific evidence in fisheries management to achieve sustainable economic, social, and environmental development. It follows ecosystem-based management principles and a precautionary approach to maintain or restore aquatic resources at levels that allow for maximum sustainable yield. Furthermore, it includes measures to regulate fishing capacity, preventing overfishing and ensuring the long-term viability of marine resources.
Regarding small-scale fisheries, DOF Thailand has enforced the Ministerial Regulation on the Determination of Coastal Sea Zones B.E. 2565 (2022), which originally according to the Fisheries Act B.E. 2558 (2015), defined that coastal sea zones as a distance beyond the coastline of 3 nm, or in some cases, a distance
of less than or more than 3 nm but not exceeding 12 nm. These zones could be defined to appropriately manage fishery resources. However, it has been found that the enforcement of the law in coastal areas
is still unclear and there were conflicts between local and commercial fishers. Therefore, DOF Thailand revised the Ministerial Regulation by canceling the original version and issuing a new version through public hearing the opinions from the stakeholders and considered by Fisheries Committee of each 23 provinces that defines coastal areas of each 23 coastal provinces including, Trat, Chanthaburi, Rayong, Chon Buri, Chachoengsao, Samut Prakan, Bangkok, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Pattani, Narathiwat, Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Satun, with a clearer distance in a straight line according to coordinates so that fishers can fish more easily and officials can clearly enforce the laws and regulations. Furthermore, it is also required that in coastal areas that overlap with national parks or other legally defined areas, all relevant laws must be fully complied with. This improvement will help resolve conflicts and promote sustainable management of fishery resources, with an emphasis on improving the quality of life of fishers and sustainable management in line with government policy (DOF Thailand, 2022).
Moreover, Thailand other laws and regulations related to fisheries management, including the Navigation in
the Thai Waters Act B.E. 2456 (1913) and the Thai Vessels Act B.E. 2481 (1938) are enforced by the Marine Department; Marine and Coastal Resources Management Promotion Act B.E. 2558 (2015) enforced by
the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources; Labor Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998) enforced by
the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare; and laws and orders related to the control of fishing vessels are issued under the authority of the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center (Thai-MECC).
Fishing areas
- Gulf of Thailand
The Gulf of Thailand is a semi-enclosed sea in the waters of the South China Sea (Figure 2), with an area of approximately 304,000 km2 (DOF Thailand, 2022). The Gulf of Thailand has rich fishery resources being influenced by four main rivers, namely Chao Phraya, Mae Klong, Tha Chin, and Bang Pakong, making it abundant of nutrients and fishery resources. The Gulf of Thailand is an important marine fisheries area of Thailand where small-scale and commercial fisheries utilize the resources.
- Andaman Sea
The Andaman Sea is located in the southeast of the Bay of Bengal, which is part of the Indian Ocean (Figure 2), with an area of approximately 116,280 km2 (DoF, Thailand 2022). It has a deep-sea environment with a variety of marine life and coral reef ecosystems, which is a valuable source of marine and deep-sea fisheries of Thailand.
- Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the area where Thailand has legal right to fish as a member of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs), particularly in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) for fishing and transshipment of tuna and tuna-like species in the competence area, as well as the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) for deep-sea fishing in the Southern of Indian ocean area.
Fisheries Subsectors
- Capture fisheries
Capture fisheries are one of the most important sources of revenue in the economy of Thailand. Marine capture fisheries is categorized into commercial and artisanal based on the size of fishing vessels and location of fishing ground. Commercial fisheries refer to the use of fishing vessels of more than 10 GT and engine of more than 280 hp that operate in offshore areas. The catch is used for domestic consumption and as a raw material for processing and export. On the other hand, artisanal fisheries refer to the use of fishing vessels less than 10 GT or without vessels at all with fishing activities in coastal areas. The catch is generally for household consumption and income through local sales.
For inland capture fisheries, fishing activities are carried out in inland waters of the country, including rivers, canals, streams, irrigation, swamps, ponds, lakes, and public water sources that are naturally and man-made. (DoF Thailand, 2022).
- Aquaculture
The aquaculture environment in Thailand is freshwater and coastal. Aquaculture has become an important source of income for many Thai people to augment the declining production from marine and inland capture fisheries due to overfishing and sustain the increasing demand for fish and fishery products.
Fisheries Trade
The fisheries supply chain of Thailand is composed of upstream, midstream, and downstream (Figure 3). Upstream is the production of fish and fishery products from marine and inland capture fisheries and aquaculture of Thailand, including imported fish and fishery products; midstream includes fish landing ports, fish markets, and processing plants, which are receiving and processing facilities of fisheries production, and downstream includes domestic consumption and exportation of fish and fishery products.
Thailand is one of the major exporters of fish and fishery products in the world. The most crucial exported fish and fishery products are canned/processed tuna, shrimp, processed seafood, and canned cat and dog food. Thailand is following a procedure of export control as shown in Figure 4 to ensure that the exported fish and fishery products are of good quality, secure, and well recognized and that the fish and fishery products are free from IUU fishing and come from sustainable aquaculture.
In addition, Thailand also imports fish and fishery products from other countries to meet the demand for domestic consumption. The procedure of import control of Thailand as shown in Figure 5 aims to control and certify that imported fish and fishery products meet the international requirements and standards for food safety, biosecurity, and trade compliance (DoF Thailand, 2022).
Fishery Statistics
- Total fishery production
From 2019 to 2023, marine capture fisheries showed a declining trend from 2020 to 2022 by reaching a low of 1.28 million t in 2022, before slightly recovering to 1.35 million t in 2023 (Figure 6, see also Table A in Annex). Inland capture fisheries remained relatively stable over the five-year period, with a slight decrease in 2022 followed by a rebound in 2023. Meanwhile, aquaculture remained consistently high and stable, with an average of approximately 993,000 t over the past five years.
The value of fishery production from 2019 to 2023 indicates that aquaculture consistently contributed the highest value, ranging from approximately from USD 2.80 to USD 3.19 billion (Figure 7, see also Table A in Annex). Marine capture fisheries showed a declining trend from 2019 to 2022, followed by a slight recovery in 2023. Inland capture fisheries had the lowest value among the three categories but remained relatively stable over the years.
- Marine capture fisheries
The top ten species from marine capture fisheries by quantity in 2023 is shown in Table 1 with trash fish having the highest catch quantity with 365,569 t. This is mainly because trash fish are often caught in large quantities as bycatch in various fishing operations, and are commonly used as raw materials in fishmeal production; however, the market price is relatively low compared to other species. In contrast, Table 2 shows that squid was the most valuable species, contributing about USD 335.98 million despite having a lower catch quantity at 62,594 t. Blue swimming crab also ranked high in value with a modest quantity, highlighting the economic significance of high-value species in the marine fisheries sector in Thailand.
Table 1. Top ten species from marine capture fisheries in 2023 ranked by quantity (t) (DoF Thailand, 2024)
| Species/Group | Quantity (t) | Value (USD 1,000) |
|---|---|---|
| Trash fish | 365,569 | 96,549 |
| Anchovy | 136,857 | 66,107 |
| Demersal fish | 89,415 | 109,582 |
| Sardine | 86,375 | 40,729 |
| Squid | 62,594 | 335,981 |
| Mackerel | 50,562 | 105,920 |
| Round scads | 49861 | 43,862 |
| Pelagic fish | 49,572 | 62,286 |
| Indian mackerel | 41,086 | 83,040 |
| Blue swimming crab | 39,701 | 242,906 |
Table 2. Top ten species from marine capture fisheries in 2023 ranked by value (USD 1,000) (DoF Thailand, 2024)
| Species/Group | Value (USD 1,000) | Quantity (t) |
|---|---|---|
| Squid | 335,981 | 62,594 |
| Blue swimming crab | 242,906 | 39,701 |
| Demersal fish | 109,582 | 89,415 |
| Mackerel | 105,920 | 50,562 |
| Trash fish | 96,549 | 365,570 |
| Banana shrimp | 83,538 | 12,209 |
| Indian mackerel | 83,040 | 41,085 |
| Anchovy | 66,107 | 136,857 |
| King mackerel | 63,952 | 13,687 |
| Pelagic fish | 62,286 | 49,572 |
- Inland capture fisheries
For inland capture fisheries, barb species had the highest catch quantity, followed by Nile tilapia and Siamese mud carp, as shown in Table 3. When ranked by value as shown in Table 4, barb also maintained the top position with an estimated value of USD 157.44 million, reflecting both high quantity and favorable market demand. Nile tilapia and striped snakehead followed in terms of value, indicating their economic importance in the inland fishery sector. Notably, although the giant freshwater prawn was ranked lower in quantity at 700 t, it achieved a relatively high value at USD 61.95 million suggesting a high unit price and strong consumer demand.
Table 3. Top ten species from inland capture fisheries in 2023 ranked by quantity (t) (DoF Thailand, 2024)
| Major Species/Group | Quantity (t) |
|---|---|
| Barb | 21,552 |
| Nile tilapia | 17,598 |
| Siamese mud carp | 13,089 |
| Striped snakehead fish | 6,262 |
| Walking catfish | 4,225 |
| Pangasius | 3,551 |
| Seven-line barb | 3,288 |
| Climbing perch | 2,609 |
| Naked catfish | 2,245 |
| Giant freshwater prawn | 700 |
Table 4. Top ten species of fishery production from inland capture in 2023 ranked by value (USD 1,000) (DoF Thailand, 2024)
| Major Species/Group | Value (USD 1,000) |
|---|---|
| Barb | 157,443 |
| Nile tilapia | 145,533 |
| Striped snakehead fish | 104,442 |
| Siamese mud carp | 69,810 |
| Giant freshwater prawn | 61,946 |
| Walking catfish | 54,709 |
| Naked catfis | 37,475 |
| Climbing perch | 28,193 |
| Seven-line barb | 27,176 |
| Pangasius | 23,525 |
- Aquaculture
The top ten species from aquaculture in Thailand in 2023 varied by quantity and value. Marine shrimp had the highest production quantity at 392,470 t, followed by Nile tilapia and catfish as shown in Table 5. In terms of value, as shown in Table 6, marine shrimp also ranked first with generating approximately USD 1.65 billion, followed by Nile tilapia and giant prawn. Notably, high-value species such as mud crab and snakeskin gourami appeared in the value ranking despite lower production quantity, highlighting their strong market demand and high unit prices.
Table 5. Top ten species from aquaculture in 2023 ranked by quantity (t) (DoF Thailand, 2024)
| Major Species/Group | Quantity (t) | Value (USD 1,000) |
|---|---|---|
| Marine shrimp | 392,470 | 1,650,295 |
| Nile tilapia | 266,480 | 365,249 |
| Catfish | 91,001 | 125,114 |
| Seabass | 54,760 | 158,029 |
| Green mussel | 48,999 | 15,080 |
| Giant prawn | 41,919 | 225,616 |
| Cockle | 30,188 | 106,574 |
| Barb | 21,036 | 29,420 |
| Oyster | 10,238 | 16,153 |
| Pangasius | 13,060 | 11,891 |
Table 6. Top ten species from aquaculture in 2023 ranked by value (USD 1,000) (DoF Thailand, 2024)
| Major Species/Group | Value (USD 1,000) | Quantity (t) |
|---|---|---|
| Marine shrimp | 1,650,295 | 392,470 |
| Nile tilapia | 365,249 | 266,480 |
| Giant prawn | 225,616 | 41,919 |
| Seabass | 158,029 | 54,760 |
| Catfish | 125,114 | 91,001 |
| Cockle | 106,574 | 30,188 |
| Mud crab | 36,142 | 3,536 |
| Barb | 29,420 | 21,036 |
| Snakeskin gourami | 17,552 | 9,402 |
| Oyster | 16,153 | 10,238 |
- Exported of fish and fishery products
The export value of fish and fishery products declined from 2019 to 2021; nonetheless in 2022, the value reached the highest level in the five-year period. However, in 2023, it declined again due to domestic and international economic challenges in the key export destinations such as the USA, Japan, Southeast Asian countries, Middle East, and Africa. As a result, consumers in these regions reduced their spending, leading to lower demand for imports from Thailand. The data on the quantity (t) and value (USD 1,000) of Thailand exports of fish and fishery products from 2019 to 2023 are shown in Figure 8 (see also Table C in Annex).
Canned tuna led in export quantity with 415,703 t, followed by canned dog & cat food, and fresh & frozen fish as shown in Table 7. In terms of export value as shown in Table 8, canned tuna also ranked first, generating around USD 1.91 billion, reinforcing its significance as a key export product of Thailand. Fresh & frozen shrimp and processed shrimp products ranked second and third by value, despite being lower in export quantity. These highlight that while some products lead in export quantity, others contribute more significantly to total export value due to their higher price and market demand.
Table 7. Top ten fish and fishery products exported by Thailand in 2023 ranked by quantity (t) (DoF Thailand, 2024)
| Fishery Products | Quantity (t) |
|---|---|
| Canned tuna | 415,703 |
| Canned dog & cat food | 115,575 |
| Fresh & frozen fish | 112,623 |
| Processed seafood products | 83,466 |
| Fresh & frozen shrimp | 79,813 |
| Canned sardine | 55,422 |
| Processed shrimp products | 53,541 |
| Fresh & frozen fish meat | 39,989 |
| Fresh & frozen cephalopod | 36,659 |
| Canned fish | 36,063 |
Table 8. Top ten fish and fishery products exported by Thailand in 2023 ranked by value (USD 1,000) (DoF Thailand, 2024)
| Fishery Products | Value (USD 1,000) |
|---|---|
| Canned tuna | 1,907,388 |
| Fresh & frozen shrimp | 690,824 |
| Processed shrimp products | 578,476 |
| Canned dog & cat food | 491,268 |
| Processed seafood products | 357,058 |
| Fresh & frozen fish meat | 203,353 |
| Canned fish | 164,639 |
| Processed tuna products | 161,340 |
| FFresh & frozen fish | 147,892 |
| Canned sardine | 142,948 |
In 2023, Thailand exported fish and fishery products to several countries worldwide. The top destination by quantity was the United States, followed by China and Japan as shown in Table 9. Meanwhile, in terms of export value, the United States also ranked first generating approximately USD 12.34 billion, followed by Japan and China as shown in Table 10. This indicates that these three countries were consistently the main markets for exported fish and fishery products in both quantity and value.
Table 9. Top ten destination countries of fish and fishery products exported by Thailand in 2023 ranked by quantity (t) (DoF Thailand, 2024)
| Country | Quantity (t) | Value (USD 1,000) |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 217,055 | 12,335,552 |
| China | 198,196 | 6,529,445 |
| Japan | 189,578 | 11,049,172 |
| Malaysia | 86,178 | 1,301,046 |
| Australia | 62,172 | 3,118,514 |
| Myanmar | 53,605 | 775,282 |
| Cambodia | 48,617 | 894,948 |
| Libya | 35,254 | 1,491,092 |
| Canada | 35,242 | 1,959,264 |
| Philippines | 34,981 | 902,649 |
Table 10. Top ten destination countries of fish and fishery product exported by Thailand in 2023 ranked by value (USD 1,000) (DoF Thailand, 2024)
| Country | Value (USD 1,000) | Quantity (t) |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 12,335,552 | 217,055 |
| Japan | 11,049,172 | 189,578 |
| China | 6,529,445 | 198,196 |
| Australia | 3,118,514 | 62,172 |
| Canada | 1,959,264 | 35,242 |
| South Korea | 1,645,230 | 26,921 |
| Libya | 1,491,092 | 35,254 |
| Italy | 1,478,945 | 22,602 |
| Taiwan | 1,437,497 | 27,652 |
| Saudi Arabia | 1,436,463 | 33,371 |
- Imported fish and fishery products
The value of imported fish and fishery products in 2020 decreased compared to 2019, and increased continuously in 2021 and 2022. However, the imports of fish and fishery products in 2023 significantly went down due to the sluggish global economy, high inflation rates worldwide, depreciation of Thai baht, as well as changes in production, fishing activities, and consumer values. These factors have led to increased prices of goods, which made Thailand to import fewer fish and fishery products. The quantity (t) and value (USD 1,000) of imported fish and fishery products in Thailand from 2019 to 2023 is shown in Figure 9 (see also Table C in Annex).
The highest import quantity was fresh & frozen tuna at 692,879 t, followed by fresh & frozen fish, and cephalopods as shown in Table 11. In terms of import value, fresh & frozen tuna also ranked first which reaching approximately 1.31 billion USD and followed by fresh & frozen fish and cephalopods as shown in Table 12. These products represent key raw materials for seafood processing and re-export industries
in Thailand.
Table 11. Top ten fish and fishery products imported by Thailand in 2023 ranked by quantity (DoF Thailand, 2024)
| Fishery Products | Quantity (t) |
|---|---|
| Fresh & Frozen Tuna | 692,879 |
| Fresh & Frozen Fish | 657,299 |
| Fresh & Frozen Cephalopod | 170,541 |
| Fresh & Frozen Fish Meat | 100,122 |
| Processed seafood products | 71,818 |
| Fish Meal | 44,319 |
| Processed Cephalopod Products | 31,200 |
| Fresh & Frozen Shrimp | 22,908 |
| Canned Seafood (Excluding Shrimp) | 19,344 |
| Fresh Cockle | 13,273 |
Table 12. Top ten fish and fishery products imported by Thailand in 2023 ranked by value (USD 1,000) (DoF Thailand, 2024)
| Fishery Products | Quantity (t) |
|---|---|
| Fresh & Frozen Tuna | 1,307,606 |
| Fresh & Frozen Fish | 1,116,899 |
| Fresh & Frozen Cephalopod | 478,791 |
| Processed seafood products | 282,176 |
| Fresh & Frozen Fish Meat | 277,928 |
| Fresh & Frozen Shrimp | 155,175 |
| Canned Seafood (Excluding Shrimp) | 71,326 |
| Fish Meal | 55,121 |
| Processed Cephalopod Products | 36,084 |
| Fresh Cockle | 20,570 |
In 2023, Thailand imported fish and fishery products from various countries. The top destination by quantity was Myanmar, followed by China and India as shown in Table 13. Meanwhile, in terms of export value, China ranked first generating approximately USD 417 million, followed by India and Norway as shown in Table 14.
Table 13. Top ten countries of origin of fish and fishery products imported by Thailand in 2023 ranked by quantity (t) (DoF Thailand, 2024)
| Country | Quantity (t) | Value (USD 1,000) |
|---|---|---|
| Myanmar | 248,967 | 417,077 |
| China | 185,807 | 198,660 |
| India | 168,584 | 315,974 |
| Taiwan | 125,172 | 161,147 |
| Viet Nam | 109,928 | 173,878 |
| Nauru | 103,647 | 353,295 |
| Japan | 94,845 | 200,580 |
| South Korea | 82,929 | 278,487 |
| Maldives | 63,017 | 256,075 |
| Malaysia | 43,305 | 119,940 |
Table 14. Top ten countries of origin of fish and fishery products imported by Thailand in 2023 ranked by value (USD 1,000) (DoF Thailand, 2024)
| Country | Value (USD 1,000) | Quantity (t) |
|---|---|---|
| China | 417,077 | 185,807 |
| India | 353,295 | 168,584 |
| Norway | 315,974 | 43,305 |
| Viet Nam | 278,487 | 109,928 |
| Taiwan | 256,075 | 125,172 |
| South Korea | 200,580 | 82,929 |
| Japan | 198,660 | 94,845 |
| Myanmar | 173,878 | 248,967 |
| Nauru | 161,147 | 103,647 |
| Indonesia | 151,445 | 45,543 |
- Fishing vessels
In 2023, Thailand had a total of 54,692 licensed fishing vessels which are categorized into artisanal fishing vessels (45,799 or 83.74%), and commercial fishing vessels (8,893 or 16.26 %), which includes oversea fishing vessels operating in high sea under the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement area as shown in Figure 10.
In addition to classification by license types, the fishing vessels are also categorized based on gross tonnage (GT) into artisanal and commercial. Table 15 shows the number of artisanal fishing vessels, while Table 16 shows the number of commercial fishing vessels.
Table 15. Number of artisanal fishing vessels grouped by size (GT) (DoF Thailand, 2024)
| Size of fishing vessel (GT) | Number |
|---|---|
| <5 | 40,814 |
| 5-<10 | 4,876 |
| 10<15 | 109 |
Table 16. Number of licensed commercial fishing vessels grouped by size (GT) (DoF Thailand, 2024)
| Size of fishing vessel (GT) | Number |
|---|---|
| <30 | 4,135 |
| 30-<60 | 2,496 |
| 60-<150 | 2,178 |
| >150 | 84 |
International Agreements and Collaborations
- Thailand and China
The technical cooperation between the Department of Fisheries Thailand and Universities in China includes research collaboration in fisheries science, aquaculture, post-harvest technology, and other related fields through knowledge exchange, researcher exchanges, joint research projects, and the organization of workshops and academic conferences on shared interests. Moreover, Thailand and China have a protocol on inspection, quarantine, and sanitary requirements for crocodile meat exported from Thailand to China, and a protocol on inspection, quarantine, and sanitary requirements for farmed aquatic products exported to China from Thailand.
- Thailand and Japan
The technical cooperation between the Department of Fisheries Thailand and Universities in Japan is aimed at developing innovations and technologies for the aquaculture of economically native aquatic species in Thailand through the exchange of knowledge and skills in fisheries science and technology. This cooperation enhances efficient research through continuous collaboration between faculty members and staff in research activities, academic conferences, and other academic activities. It includes student exchange programs for study and research, joint research activities, and the exchange of education, training, and research information. These efforts strengthen and enhance the capabilities of the fisheries researchers.
- Thailand and Philippines
The cooperation involves sharing of information on fishing vessels operating between the two countries, including traceability, joint research, and prevention of illegal fishing. Both parties have also developed protocols for data sharing on sightings and surveillance of IUU fishing vessels, details of authorization and license of fishing vessels, and vessel monitoring system (VMS) data.
- Thailand and Myanmar
The cooperation is on joint fisheries research and development, exchange of scientific and technical information, technology transfer, conduct of training programs, and exploration of other potential areas of collaboration in the future.
- Thailand and Viet Nam
The cooperation is on combating IUU fishing through the exchange of information on fishing vessels violating territorial waters, traceability, compliance with port State measures, and other relevant data. This collaboration aims to ensure that the fish and fishery products are verified to be not originally from the IUU fishing activities.
- Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Thailand has been a member of ASEAN since 8 August 1967 and the country is implementing the ASEAN Work plan and ASEAN-SEAFDEC Resolution and Plan of Action on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security for the ASEAN Region Towards 2030. Thailand, through the Department of Fisheries, has pushed the ASEAN Network for Combating IUU Fishing (AN-IUU) and supports hosting the AN–IUU Interactive Platform under the AN–IUU. Thailand plays a key role in the coordination of information and perspectives on national fisheries at both policy and operational levels. Additionally, Thailand actively participates in the annual meetings of the ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Fisheries (ASWGFi) and other relevant technical meetings.
- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
Thailand participates in fisheries projects under the APEC framework through the Oceans and Fisheries Working Group (OFWG). This working group focuses on promoting sustainable management of marine and fishery resources. Thailand also drives the Food Security Action Plan of APEC through the 3S policy, including 1) food safety standards, 2) security for enhancing food supply security, 3) sustainability for ensuring long-term environmental and economic sustainability. Moreover, Thailand has actively participated in the meetings under APEC to promote multilateral trade negotiations and policy-making within the economies of the Asia-Pacific region under the cooperation framework. Additionally, APEC provides funding for fisheries projects, benefiting the fisheries sector development of Thailand.
- Regional Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (RPOA–IUU)
Thailand is a member of the RPOA–IUU and annually participates in the Coordination Committee Meeting (RPOA–IUU CC Meeting). The meeting reviews the progress of each member in implementing the RPOA–IUU work plan and addresses challenges under its 11 key components under RPOA–IUU framework. Thailand shares information on IUU fishing with RPOA–IUU members to enhance fisheries governance, promote responsible fishing practices, and eliminate IUU fishing in the Southeast Asian region.
- Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC)
Thailand is one of the founders of SEAFDEC in 1967 and served as the host country of the SEAFDEC Secretariat in Bangkok and Training Department in Samut Prakan. SEAFDEC plays a crucial role in training programs, workshops, and seminars on fisheries that benefit the member countries which include government officers as well as students from Thailand. Both parties cooperated in developing fisheries technologies and shared data and information for sustainable fisheries. Thailand regularly participates in SEAFDEC meetings to discuss work plans, budget, and other related matters to support SEAFDEC.
- Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)
Thailand is a Contracting Party to IOTC on 17 March 1997. As an IOTC member, Thailand has the right to fish tuna and tuna-like species in the IOTC competence area while complying with the Conservation and Management Measures (CMMs) established by the IOTC. Additionally, Thailand also regularly participates in the annual IOTC meetings to manage, conserve, and allocate quotas for fishing for tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean. Currently, Thailand has six carrier vessels for transshipment activities and three research vessels that are active on the list of IOTC Authorized Fishing Vessels.
- Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA)
Thailand became a Contracting Party to the SIOFA on 23 May 2017. Thailand has the right to fish in the SIOFA Agreement area and commits to implementing the conservation management measures of deep-sea fisheries in the Southern Indian Ocean. Thailand currently has two overseas fishing vessels operating in the area, which conduct monitoring, control, and surveillance by the Department of Fisheries.
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Thailand has a long-standing collaboration with FAO in various sectors, including agriculture, fisheries, forestry, food security, and rural development. Thailand has been a member of FAO since 1947, and the FAO Representation in Thailand was established in 1948. For effective compliance, Thailand has signed several subsidiary agreements under the FAO, including FAO Compliance Agreement, FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, and FAO Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (PSMA), among others.
References
Department of Fisheries Thailand. (2022). Marine fisheries management plan of Thailand 2020–2022. Department of Fisheries Thailand. https://www4.fisheries.go.th/local/file_document/20220912132213_1_file.pdf
Suvanachai, P. (2022). Marine Fisheries Resources Management under Climate Change in 21st Century. https://www4.fisheries.go.th/local/file_document/20220209100320_1_file.pdf
Department of Fisheries Thailand. (2022, August 25). Procedure for export control. https://www4.fisheries.go.th/dof_en/view_news/452
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Acknowledgement
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my colleagues from the Department of Fisheries, Thailand, particularly the Fisheries Development Policy and Strategy Division, Fisheries Foreign Affairs Division, and Fishing and Fleets Management Division, for their invaluable assistance in providing the relevant data and information. I also extend my gratitude to the staff from the SEAFDEC Secretariat for their support and advice in completing the Fisheries Country Profile of Thailand.
About the Author
I am a Fishery Biologist Professional Level from the Department of Fisheries, Thailand since 2015. My expertise covers fisheries management practices, with a focus on international cooperation and sustainable fishing governance. Currently, I am serving at the Fishing and Fleets Management Division where I coordinate with foreign States and Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs). I am particularly involved
in the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA), acting as the national coordinator for Thailand. In this role, I contribute to the effective implementation of monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) measures for Thai overseas fishing vessels, ensuring compliance with international conservation and management measures.
In 2025, I represented Thailand as one of members of the Regional Fishery Policy Network (RFPN) of SEAFDEC. During my tenure, I promoted regional fisheries policies, facilitated knowledge exchange among Member Countries, and supported initiatives aimed at enhancing regional cooperation in fisheries management.
Ms. Kanyarat Woraprayoth
Fishery Biologist Professional Level
Fishing and Fleets Management Division, Department of Fisheries, Thailand
Address: 50 Phothonyothin Rd., Lat Yao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
Tel: +662 579 7976
Email: kanyarat@seafdec.org
