The major limitations in promoting science, research, and innovation in the past were the lack of unity of the system, fragmentation and redundancy, as well as the alignment issues in policy and operational direction of the country’s research and innovation units across several government agencies, from the whole ministries to the individual offices. The limitations included alignment issues in policy and a lack of support for research and innovation in the production, trade and service industries, as well as those who benefit from research and innovation. Consequently, various products from research and innovation have not been utilised for economic and societal benefits.
National SRI System
Thus, the key objectives of the Science Research and Innovation (SRI) system reform are to utilise science, research, and innovation and create impacts for the country’s development, and initiating the advancement of the country’s knowledge-based development on the knowledge of research and innovation as outlined in the National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council Act B.E. 2562 (2019) and the Science Research and Innovation Promotion Act B.E. 2562 (2019). Both acts serve as considered primary laws in advancing the country’s SRI system, covering economic and societal strengths, empowerment of country’s competitive ability and enhancing citizens’ quality of life. All of these aspects require knowledge and innovation that can be evidently utilised or applied. The structure of the SRI system is as follows:
Program Management Unit
The SRI system consists of mechanisms and agencies, as follows: