Thailand's Strategic Framework for Low-Carbon Agricultural Logistics

This study examines Thailand’s strategic pathway toward low-carbon agricultural logistics by analyzing the sector’s structural characteristics, operational constraints, technological readiness, and policy conditions. The findings show that Thailand’s agricultural logistics system remains highly dependent on road freight, which accounts for more than 80.75% of total domestic freight movement, while agricultural logistics represents the largest freight category at 41.7% of total transport volume. Although this structure supports flexibility and broad market access, it also reinforces a carbon-intensive logistics pattern. The system remains deeply locked into fossil fuel dependence, as more than 77% of the truck fleet relies on diesel, and new truck registrations continue to rise by approximately 70,000 units annually. While this structure provides flexibility and extensive market access, it also generates a carbon-intensive logistics pattern and limits progress toward more sustainable freight systems. The analysis further reveals that the transition is confronted by multiple challenges, including vehicle-related emissions, persistent modal imbalance, limited readiness for low-emission freight technologies, underutilized supply chain efficiency measures, and fragmented policy implementation collectively constrain the development of low-carbon agricultural logistics. In response, the study proposes a five-pillar strategic framework consisting of direct road freight decarbonization, gradual modal rebalancing, targeted technological readiness support, system-wide green supply chain improvement, and integrated governance. The study argues that low-carbon agricultural logistics should be treated not merely as an environmental issue, but as a strategic development agenda linking freight reform, infrastructure modernization, institutional coordination, and long-term competitiveness. These findings contribute to policy discussions on sustainable freight transition and provide practical implications for strengthening Thailand’s agricultural logistics system in line with climate and development goals.