Thai EV Tractor Manufacturer Clarifies Role Amid Government Budget Controversy
Thai Ashitech (TACT) has distanced itself from an 8-billion-baht government agricultural machinery project following public speculation regarding unit costs.
On October 20, 2026, Kingphet Hemphothirat, Managing Director of Thai Ashitech (TACT), addressed public controversy surrounding a government project to procure electric agricultural machinery with an 8-billion-baht budget. The company’s electric tractors, specifically models KIN40CS and KIN48, were featured in media reports that sparked public debate over potential overpricing.
Social media users had questioned whether the budget implied a cost of 16 million baht per tractor, based on a calculation involving 500 units. However, officials later clarified that the figure of 500 referred to service centers rather than the number of vehicles. TACT emphasized that it is not involved in the government’s budget planning and has not submitted a bid for the project.
For residents and those interested in Thailand’s agricultural sector, this incident highlights the growing focus on local innovation and the challenges of public procurement transparency. TACT, which has over 30 years of experience in metal processing and machinery parts, maintains that its tractors are designed to reduce energy costs for farmers and are already being exported. While the company defends the viability of its technology, the overall cost-effectiveness and specific details of the government’s 8-billion-baht initiative remain subjects of public scrutiny. Further confirmation is needed regarding the final structure of the government project and how local manufacturers will be integrated into the national supply chain.
