AquaSai Funding & Incentives Guide

Available Benefits

• Corporate Income Tax Exemption: Up to 8 years with no cap on exemption amount for Category A1 activities (renewable energy and environmental management).
• Import Duty Exemption: On machinery, essential equipment, and raw materials necessary for operations.
• Land Ownership Rights: 100% foreign ownership of land for business operations.
• Visa/Work Permit Benefits: Expedited visas and work permits for foreign experts.

Eligibility for AquaSai

AquaSai's MSR technology qualifies under BOI promotion category A2 or A3 for:

• Wastewater treatment and recycling systems
• Environmental protection and restoration
• Clean technology development

Application Process

1. Pre-application consultation with BOI officers
2. Online application through e-investment platform
3. Submission of detailed business plan and environmental impact assessment
4. BOI review and approval (typically 2-4 months)
5. Post-approval compliance and reporting

Timeline

Estimated processing time: 3-6 months from submission to approval

Key deadline: Applications can be submitted year-round

Contact Information

Board of Investment (BOI)
Ms. Duangjai Asawachintachit, Secretary General
Phone: +66 2 553 8111
Email: head@boi.go.th
Website: www.boi.go.th

Available Benefits

• Additional Tax Deductions: Up to 200% deduction for R&D expenses related to environmental technologies.
• Merit-based Incentives: Additional years of tax holidays based on investment in R&D, human resource development, or supporting local suppliers.
• Competitive Enhancement Fund: Potential access to subsidies for projects that significantly enhance Thailand's environmental competitiveness.

Eligibility for AquaSai

AquaSai qualifies under the BCG Economy model for:

• Water resource management
• Circular economy implementation
• Green technology development

Application Process

1. Registration with the Ministry of Industry's BCG initiative
2. Submission of project proposal highlighting environmental benefits
3. Technical evaluation by relevant agencies
4. Approval and implementation

Timeline

Estimated processing time: 4-8 months

Key deadline: Quarterly application cycles

Available Benefits

• Grants: For environmental improvement projects (up to 5 million THB).
• Soft Loans: Low-interest financing for environmental technology implementation.
• Technical Assistance: Access to expertise and consulting services.

Eligibility for AquaSai

Projects that demonstrate:

• Pollution reduction and prevention
• Conservation of natural resources
• Community environmental benefits

Application Process

1. Submission of project proposal to the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning
2. Initial screening and evaluation
3. Presentation to the Environmental Fund Committee
4. Approval and fund disbursement

Timeline

Estimated processing time: 6-12 months

Key deadline: Annual calls for proposals (typically January-March)

Available Benefits

• Research & Implementation Grants: Up to 4,500,000 THB per project over 3 years.
• International Collaboration: Partnership with European research institutions and companies.
• Technical Exchange: Access to European expertise and technology transfer.

Eligibility for AquaSai

AquaSai's project aligns perfectly with the 2024 JFS call focus on "Climate Change Adaptation & Local Resilience" under Topic 1: "Wastewater treatment and reuse (industrial & municipal)".

Requirements

• Consortium of at least 3 partners from 3 different countries (2+1 rule: either 2 Southeast Asian + 1 European, or 2 European + 1 Southeast Asian)
• Thai applicants must be researchers/professors working in research institutes or universities
• Project must demonstrate innovation and practical application

Application Process

1. Form international consortium with eligible partners
2. Contact National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) for pre-check
3. Submit proposal through PT-Outline Web Tool
4. If selected, submit proposal via NRIIS system for NRCT

Timeline

Next deadline: January 31, 2025 (12:00 noon CET / 5:00 PM Bangkok time)

Estimated processing time: 4-6 months after submission

Project duration: 3 years

Contact Information

National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT)
Ms. Chontida Tangnara and Ms. Ariya Foithong
Email: chontida.t@nrct.go.th and ariya.f@nrct.go.th
Tel: +66 (0) 2561 2445 ext. 206

Available Benefits

• Project Funding: Grants ranging from $10 million to $50 million for large-scale projects.
• Readiness Support: Preparatory funding of $1-3 million for project development.
• Technical Assistance: Access to international expertise and capacity building.

Eligibility for AquaSai

AquaSai's MSR technology aligns with GCF's focus areas:

• Water security and sustainable water management
• Climate adaptation through ecosystem-based approaches
• Resilient infrastructure development

Requirements

• Must apply through an Accredited Entity (e.g., UNDP, ADB, or Thailand's EGAT)
• Requires endorsement from Thailand's National Designated Authority (NDA) - Department of Climate Change and Environment
• Must demonstrate clear climate adaptation or mitigation benefits
• Requires comprehensive environmental and social safeguards assessment

Application Process

1. Engage with Thailand's NDA for initial consultation
2. Partner with an Accredited Entity
3. Develop concept note for NDA endorsement
4. Submit full funding proposal if concept is approved
5. GCF Board review and approval

Timeline

Estimated processing time: 12-24 months from concept to approval

Key deadlines: Quarterly submission cycles for concept notes

Contact Information

Department of Climate Change and Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
Dr. Kittisak Prukkanone, Director of Strategy and International Cooperation Division
Ms. Krittaya Chunhaviriyakul, Director of Measure and Mechanism Development Section

Available Benefits

• Project Funding: 200,000-500,000 CZK (approximately $8,000-$20,000)
• Flexible Implementation: Can be used for pilot projects or specific components
• International Visibility: Partnership with EU member state

Eligibility for AquaSai

Non-political and non-governmental organizations with legal personality in Thailand, including:

• Local NGOs and community organizations
• Academic institutions working on local projects
• International organizations working with local partners

Focus Areas

• Environment
• Water & Sanitation
• Sustainable development

Application Process

1. Develop project proposal based on SSP guidelines
2. Submit application to the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Bangkok
3. Evaluation and selection
4. Implementation and reporting

Timeline

Next deadline: October 9, 2024

Estimated processing time: 2-3 months after submission

Project implementation: 2025 calendar year

Available Benefits

• Project Loans: Large-scale infrastructure financing
• Technical Assistance Grants: For project preparation and capacity building
• Knowledge Sharing: Access to regional expertise and best practices

Eligibility for AquaSai

Projects that focus on:

• Rural water supply and sanitation
• Urban water supply and sanitation
• Water resources management
• Water-related disaster risk management

Application Process

1. Initial consultation with ADB Thailand office
2. Development of concept note
3. If approved, preparation of full proposal with technical, financial, and environmental assessments
4. ADB review and approval

Timeline

Estimated processing time: 12-18 months from concept to approval

Key deadlines: Rolling basis, with quarterly review cycles

Contact Information

Asian Development Bank (Thailand Office)
Mr. Hideaki Iwasaki, Country Director
Phone: +66 2 263 5300
Email: adbrm@adb.org
Website: www.adb.org/countries/thailand

Phase 1: Pilot Project (Year 1)

Focus on demonstrating the effectiveness of MSR technology at a small scale in Koh Phangan.

• Target Funding: BOI incentives, Small-Scale Projects grant
• Scale: Single treatment facility serving one community or resort area
• Goals: Establish proof of concept, collect performance data, build local relationships
• Budget Range: $50,000 - $200,000

Phase 2: Expansion (Years 2-3)

Scale up to multiple treatment facilities and expand service area.

• Target Funding: Southeast Asia - Europe JFS, Environmental Fund of Thailand, BCG incentives
• Scale: 3-5 treatment facilities in key locations around Koh Phangan
• Goals: Optimize technology, develop local supply chains, train local workforce
• Budget Range: $200,000 - $1,000,000

Phase 3: Island-wide Implementation (Years 4-5)

Comprehensive coverage of major wastewater sources on Koh Phangan.

• Target Funding: Green Climate Fund, ADB Water Financing Facility
• Scale: Island-wide network of treatment facilities
• Goals: Achieve significant environmental impact, establish sustainable business model
• Budget Range: $1,000,000 - $10,000,000

1. Emphasize Multiple Benefits

Frame AquaSai's MSR technology as delivering multiple co-benefits beyond water treatment:

• Climate Resilience: Reducing vulnerability to flooding and drought
• Biodiversity: Creating habitat for native species
• Tourism: Enhancing destination appeal through improved water quality
• Public Health: Reducing waterborne disease risks
• Economic Development: Creating green jobs and skills

2. Leverage Partnerships

Strengthen applications through strategic partnerships:

• Academic: Partner with Prince of Songkla University for research validation
• Community: Engage local environmental NGOs like Trash Hero Koh Phangan
• Industry: Collaborate with hotel associations and tourism operators
• Government: Secure endorsement from Koh Phangan Municipality
• International: Form consortium with European research institutions for JFS

3. Develop Robust Monitoring Framework

Enhance credibility through comprehensive impact measurement:

• Water Quality: Regular testing of input/output water against Thai standards
• Environmental Impact: Monitoring of marine ecosystem health near outflows
• Economic Benefits: Tracking job creation and tourism impacts
• Energy Efficiency: Measuring energy consumption vs. conventional treatment
• Community Engagement: Documenting local participation and satisfaction

1. Funding Delays

Risk: Long processing times for major grants could delay implementation.

Mitigation:

• Pursue multiple funding sources simultaneously
• Develop modular implementation plan that can scale with available funding
• Secure bridge funding from private investors or partners

2. Regulatory Hurdles

Risk: Permits and approvals may take longer than anticipated.

Mitigation:

• Begin regulatory engagement early in the process
• Develop relationships with key officials at all levels
• Consider hiring a local regulatory consultant

3. Technical Performance

Risk: MSR technology may require adaptation to local conditions.

Mitigation:

• Start with small-scale pilot to validate performance
• Partner with local academic institutions for ongoing optimization
• Build flexibility into system design to allow for adjustments

4. Community Acceptance

Risk: Local resistance to new infrastructure or approaches.

Mitigation:

• Implement comprehensive stakeholder engagement plan
• Provide educational opportunities and site visits
• Ensure visible local benefits from early stages