Statistical Yearbook Thailand 2013

Statistics on Science, Technology and Patents Statistics on science, technology and patents presented in this chapter obtained from the Department of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Commerce and the International Institute Management Development (IMD). Patent: Such of new processing techniques and new products are patented by the only persons or companies that are the originators and owners that could allow to make or sell a new product for a certain period of time. The Department of Intellectual Property is the focal point to provide the document for their patent. Also, the department has gathered various statistics of patent. Patent means important document issued by the government to certify and protect the rights of inventors who initiated in invention and new creation of product design. Under the law, the inventors can solely produce and distribute their products for a period of time and utility model as provided under the laws. Invention means innovation on composition, structure or mechanics of a product, including procession of production and maintenance, as well as quality improvement. Product Design means innovation related to modification of exterior feature of a product for beautification and differentiation. Ranking of the national competitiveness is one of an index to reflect the strength and weakness of the country comparing with the others at the same period of time. The ranking will impact national’s confidentiality of the ranked country. However, the ranking of national competitiveness is a benchmark information for the country in plan and policy development. Current, there are two key organizations, namely, International Institute for Management Development (IMD) and World Economic Forum (WEF) publishing the ranking of national competitiveness of nations countries, and their reports are internationally accepted. IMD has presented the ranking of national competitiveness in The World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) , the criteria for consideration are as follows ; 1. Economic Performance 2. Government Efficiency 3. Business Efficiency 4. Infrastructure For the WEF, it has presented the ranking of national competitiveness in The Global Competitiveness Report, the criteria for consideration are as follows ; 1. Basic requirements 2. Efficiency enhancers 3. Innovation and business