Thailand Post and the Department of Fisheries are joining hands to launch an express delivery service for ornamental fish exports in October, targeting five key markets.
The initiative aims to help more than 10,000 registered breeders expand global trade opportunities and strengthen Thailand's branding as a hub for ornamental fish.
Thailand Post president, Danan Suphatthaphan, said yesterday that the first phase will cover shipments of betta fish or Siamese fighting fish to the United States, China, Japan, Taiwan, and Indonesia. The service will debut at Nakhon Pathom Post Office, the country's largest betta breeding province, before expanding to other markets and species.
He said the project reflects Thailand Post's strategy of "Parcel Defined Logistics", tailored for specialised products requiring strict handling, from pharmaceuticals to perishable goods.
Currently, the global ornamental fish market is valued at more than 10 billion baht annually. Thailand holds about 11% of the market, with exports worth over 1 billion baht, he said. Bettas alone account for 40% of this trade.
Mr Danun said the new service will allow breeders to reach international buyers through a network of 50,000 branches and connections with 190 countries, adding both convenience and credibility.
Fisheries Department director-general, Bancha Sukkaew, said the initiative supports the Ministry of Agriculture's policy to enhance livelihoods and improve product quality.
He confirmed Thailand has more than 10,000 registered breeders, with betta fish exports valued at around 400 million baht in 2024. Other key export species include goldfish, guppies, mollies, and ornamental shrimp.
To participate, farmers must be registered under official aquaculture export schemes. Each export shipment will require standard documentation, including export licences and health certificates. To ease compliance, Thailand Post and the Fisheries Department will also organise training workshops to guide farmers through registration, regulations, and export procedures, ensuring international standards are met, he said.