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Thailand IP Filings Rise 9.59% in 2026: Key Trends in Trademarks, Patents and Industrial Designs
Thailand's intellectual property (IP) landscape continues to demonstrate positive growth despite global economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.
According to the Ministry of Commerce's announcement dated 12 October 2026, Thailand's Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) received 61,288 IP applications during the first nine months of 2026, representing a 9.59% year-on-year increase. IP registrations and grants also rose by 6.34% to 43,379.
The figures reveal an interesting distinction: foreign applicants, particularly Japanese and American companies, dominate invention patent filings, while Thai applicants lead in trademarks, petty patents and industrial designs.
Thailand IP Filing Statistics: January–September 2026
IP Category | Applications | YoY Growth | Thai Applicants | Foreign Applicants |
Trademarks | 45,696 | +10.76% | 56% | 44% |
Invention Patents | 6,483 | +3.98% | 13% | 87% |
Petty Patents | 4,313 | +18.16% | 94% | 6% |
Design Patents | 4,796 | +0.27% | 65% | 35% |
Total | 61,288 | +9.59% | — | — |
Trademarks: Continued Growth in Brand Protection
Trademark applications increased by 10.76% to 45,696, accounting for approximately 74.6% of all IP applications.
Thai applicants represented 56% of filings, with all five leading applicants being domestic companies. Major filing sectors included retail services, healthcare, beauty products, electronics and food-related products.
The figures highlight the continued importance of trademark registration and brand protection for businesses operating in Thailand's competitive consumer and service markets.
Invention Patents: Foreign Technology Applicants Lead
Invention patent applications grew by 3.98% to 6,483, with foreign applicants accounting for 87% of filings.
All five leading applicants were foreign companies, predominantly from Japan and the United States:
Leading Applicant | Country | Applications |
Toyota Motor Corporation | Japan | 198 |
Qualcomm Incorporated | United States | 180 |
Nippon Steel Corporation | Japan | 116 |
JFE Steel Corporation | Japan | 111 |
Unicharm Corporation | Japan | 79 |
The leading technologies included pharmaceuticals, communications, biopharmaceuticals, polymers and medical devices.
This strong foreign participation reflects Thailand's continued importance as a jurisdiction for international technology protection, particularly for Japanese and American businesses with established commercial and industrial interests in the country.
Petty Patents: Strong Growth in Domestic Innovation
Petty patent applications recorded the highest growth among the four categories, increasing by 18.16% to 4,313.
Thai applicants accounted for an overwhelming 94% of filings, with the five leading applicants comprising Thai universities and public research institutions. The leading fields included food and beverages, herbal medicines, communications, medical devices and agricultural chemicals.
This trend suggests that Thai innovation remains particularly active in practical inventions and incremental technological improvements.
Design Patents: Supporting Thailand's Creative Industries
Industrial design patent applications increased slightly by 0.27% to 4,796, with Thai applicants accounting for 65% of filings.
All five leading applicants were Thai educational institutions. Major design categories included textiles, automotive components, packaging, jewellery and construction equipment.
Although filing growth was modest, design patent grants increased by 35.92%, highlighting continued activity in design protection.
Copyright Recordations: Additional Positive Growth
Voluntary copyright recordations also increased significantly by 63.71% to 17,176 works, with Thai applicants accounting for approximately 99%.
The leading categories included literary works, computer programs, artistic works, music and audiovisual content, reflecting growing awareness of copyright protection in Thailand's creative and digital sectors.
What These Trends Mean for Businesses and Investors ?
The latest IP statistics reveal three important developments in Thailand's intellectual property landscape.
First, foreign technology interest remains strong. The dominance of Japanese and American companies in invention patent filings highlights Thailand's continuing importance within international technology protection strategies. While patent filings do not directly measure foreign investment, they indicate sustained commercial interest in protecting advanced technologies in the Thai market.
Second, domestic innovation is concentrated in brands, practical inventions and industrial designs. Thai applicants lead in trademarks, petty patents and industrial designs, reflecting the country's strengths in consumer products, applied innovation and creative industries. The relatively limited Thai participation in invention patents also suggests opportunities for further investment in advanced research and development.
Third, continued IP growth is an encouraging sign amid global uncertainty. Despite economic pressures and geopolitical conflicts, the 9.59% increase in applications demonstrates sustained interest in securing IP rights. These trends reinforce the importance of effective trademark and patent protection, IP portfolio management, technology licensing and commercialisation strategies.
Looking ahead, Lexpertise welcomes this positive momentum and hopes to see continued investment in Thailand's IP landscape, particularly in advanced technologies, innovation, and creative industries. Strengthening IP protection and commercialisation will remain essential to Thailand's long-term competitiveness and development as an innovation-driven economy.
Source: Department of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Commerce, Thailand, IP Application and Registration Statistics for January–September 2026, published 12 October 2026. Read the official Ministry of Commerce announcement (Thai)
Written by
Manaswee Wongsuryrat
Partner
