BANGKOK, THAILAND, June 29, 2026 — Federal Express Corporation, one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, continues its long-standing commitment to youth empowerment through the 2026 FedEx /Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge (FedEx / JA ITC). This year’s challenge once again drew ambitious young entrepreneurs from across Thailand, six of whom have earned the chance to represent the country at the Asia Pacific regional finals in Singapore this August.
Now in its 19th year, the FedEx / JA ITC program in Thailand is designed to build entrepreneurial thinking and global business acumen among secondary school students. Delivered in collaboration with JA Thailand, a non-profit organization dedicated to preparing young Thais to succeed in a global economy, the program offers students a practical look at international trade through hands-on workshops and team-based challenges.
This year’s competition challenged students to develop a Market Entry Strategy Plan (MESP) for artificial intelligence (AI)-powered warehouse drones aimed at improving inventory accuracy and accelerating fulfilment speed in Vietnam’s rapidly growing e-commerce sector. Their ideas showcased critical thinking, creativity, and a deep understanding of technology-led business solutions relevant to today’s global landscape.
Team: YinYang
- Names: Mr. Varith Supavej and Mr. Purinat Lao-unkha
- School: Samsen Wittayalai School
- Product presented: An AI-powered autonomous drone, named Frosteye, purpose-built for sub-zero freezer zones to perform automated inventory scanning, temperature monitoring, and ice hazard detection without human entry. Operating on a low-risk subscription model with logistics supported by FedEx, its market strategy targets Vietnam’s high-growth cold-chain sector to eliminate workplace hazards, maximize inventory accuracy, and prevent costly temperature excursions.
Team: Newbies
- Names: Mr.Chinnavee Visessan and Mr.Nanthipat Charpong
- School: Thammasat Secondary School
- Product presented: An indoor warehouse drone inventory intelligence system, named Skyverify, operating on a Drones-as-a-Service (DaaS) model with zero upfront hardware costs, utilizing a subscription fee set below the monthly value created. The market entry strategy begins with a paid 90-day anchor pilot with GHN to prove immediate ROI in a single e-commerce 3PL zone before compounding that proof across multiple zones, sites, logistics providers, and platforms.
Team: Hovr
- Names: Miss.Navandhorn Sitthipitaksand Miss.Palida Nenthong
- School: Kasetsart University Laboratory School, Center for Educational Development and Research, International Program
- Product presented: A compact, fully autonomous indoor warehouse drone, named Hovr, utilizing LiDAR sensors and SLAM navigation to map and navigate aisles in real time without a human pilot. Designed for direct-to-warehouse manager sales in facilities over 50,000 sq ft, its AI vision cameras scan barcodes, QR codes, and damaged labels under a subscription model to displace manual labor costs and scale through FedEx distribution channels
“The strategic thinking, creativity, and adaptability that these students demonstrated reflect the potential of Thailand’s next generation of business leaders to thrive in an increasingly dynamic global economy,” said Sasathorn Phaspinyo, managing director, FedEx Thailand. “For the past 19 years, our collaboration with JA Thailand has helped students move beyond classroom learning and gain practical exposure to the realities of international trade. Their ability to develop innovative, real-world solutions gives us great confidence as they represent Thailand on the regional stage.”
At the regional finals, the Thai students will work alongside students from across Asia Pacific including Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam. Competing internationally pushes students further than the classroom alone, giving them the chance to present their ideas before peers from a wide range of markets. Finalists will also meet FedEx leaders and industry practitioners, adding a real-world dimension to what they have learned.
Throughout the program, students will receive mentorship from FedEx leaders and industry experts, gaining first-hand insights into global commerce, regional connectivity, and the complexities of operating across borders.
Since 2007, the FedEx / JA ITC program has long served as a platform for young entrepreneurs to showcase their capabilities, with Thai students consistently delivering strong performances, including a first-place finish in 2023, third place in 2022, and a runner-up finish in 2025.
These achievements underscore the lasting impact of the FedEx/JA ITC, which has reached more than 3,000 students in Thailand. Through the program, FedEx and JA Thailand continue to equip young people with the skills, confidence, and global perspective needed to drive innovation and contribute to a more connected global economy.
More information about the 2026 FedEx /JA ITC can be found on the JA Thailand Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jathailand.org/