Rare Earth: The Precious Underground Resource the World Is Watching — A New Resource and a Golden Opportunity for Thailand’s Economy 

Rare earth elements exist in significant quantities beneath Thailand’s soil and could become a major source of new economic value. A Chulalongkorn University lecturer has called for Thailand to accelerate comprehensive reserve assessments and establish clear, coordinated management policies so the country can fully capitalize on this opportunity for sustainable economic growth. 

 
Rare earth elements have drawn growing attention in recent years as a high-potential resource vital to powering new-energy technologies and the future global economy. As a result, many major powers have moved to explore, stockpile and harness these elements to drive technological advancement and strengthen their economic prosperity. 

In Thailand’s case, the growing interest and increasing involvement of major powers in the country and the wider Southeast Asian region suggest that Thailand could hold significant rare earth deposits. 

As foreign interest in Thailand’s underground resources grows, all sectors of Thai society — including the public — should recognize the importance of rare earth elements and work together to manage these national resources in a way that creates long-term economic opportunity and secures the country’s future. 

“When foreigners knock on our door and tell us there is treasure inside our own house, we should turn around to see much much treasure we actually have hidden,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alongkot Fanka of the Applied Mineral and Petrology Research Unit (AMP RU), Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University.  He raised broader questions about Thailand’s preparedness regarding rare earth elements: Do we have sufficient knowledge about the volume and potential of these resources? How ready are we to protect and responsibly utilize our national assets? Do we have clear policy directions to develop and manage these resources effectively, while taking into account environmental and social impacts and ensuring sustainability for future generations?, etc. 

What Are Rare Earth Elements, and How Important Is It to the Future World? 

A look around us shows that many of the technologies we rely on today contain rare earth elements. From smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles, LED innovations, batteries, and a wide range of clean energy technologies, rare earth elements are integral components driving modern life. 

“The development of many of the technologies we use today would hardly be able to move forward without these rare earth elements serving as key drivers. Their primary application lies in the production of high-performance permanent magnets, which are essential components in electric vehicle motors, wind turbine power generation systems, and a wide range of electronic devices,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alongkot. 

Rare earth elements comprise a total of 17 elements: the 15 lanthanides (ranging from lanthanum, La, to lutetium, Lu), together with scandium (Sc) and yttrium (Y). All are found in the periodic table familiar to science students. 

“What has brought these elements increasing attention is not their rarity, as the name suggests, but their critical role in energy technologies and advanced innovations that power the modern world. Rare earth elements are classified as critical minerals that countries around the globe are closely monitoring. The United States, China and Europe, among others, have all designated rare earths as strategic resources essential to driving future economic growth.” 

In addition to rare earth elements, other critical minerals attracting global attention include lithium (Li), used in battery production; nickel (Ni); cobalt (Co); tin (Sn); tungsten (W); and copper (Cu). All are essential raw materials for advanced technology industries. 

Three types of Rare Earth Deposits in Thailand 

The Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, was the first institution in Thailand to offer formal instruction in geology and has continued to expand academic knowledge across all areas of geological resources. In particular, it has conducted sustained and in-depth research on rare earth elements and critical minerals since 2018.
 
Findings from surveys and research clearly indicate that Thailand hosts three distinct types of rare earth deposits, each with different characteristics and development potential. 

The first type is primary rare earth deposits, which are found in their original host rocks, particularly igneous rocks such as granite. Granite formations are widely distributed across Thailand, stretching from the North to the South and extending into Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore.  Granite commonly used in construction is formed through geological processes closely associated with rare earth elements and other critical minerals, including tin, tungsten, and lithium. 

“Research by our team at the Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, has found that certain rare earth elements in Thailand’s granite contain concentrations three to five times higher than average crustal levels in some areas, indicating promising potential,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alongkot. 

The second type is placer and heavy mineral deposits, where rare earth elements accumulate in heavy minerals such as monazite, xenotime, and allanite. Due to their high specific gravity, these minerals tend to concentrate alongside tin deposits. As a result, tin deposits found throughout Thailand commonly contain associated rare earth-bearing minerals, as they originate from the same granitic source rocks. 

In Malaysia, which was once Thailand’s rival in tin exports, heavy mineral deposits containing rare earth elements have been reported at globally significant levels. Thailand, despite having tin resources in comparable quantities, has yet to conduct clear surveys or publish definitive data on its rare earth reserves. 

“Interestingly, beyond the well-known monazite and xenotime, Thailand has also identified allanite, a mineral containing substantial rare earth content, particularly in Uthai Thani province. This mineral is not commonly found in large quantities in many other countries.” 

The third type is ion-adsorption rare earth deposits, in which rare earth elements accumulate in weathered soil layers derived from granite or other igneous rocks. In this form, the elements exist as ions or secondary minerals adsorbed onto clay and soil particles. This type of deposit has attracted particular attention because natural processes have already separated and concentrated the rare earth elements, making extraction generally easier than in other deposit types. China, the world’s largest producer of rare earth elements, derives most of its production from this category of deposits. 

“Rare earth elements that have been released from their original host rocks and are later adsorbed into soil can be processed more easily than those that must be extracted directly from mineral grains.” 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alongkot said that survey data on the occurrence of rare earth deposits, along with resources such as lithium, nickel, cobalt and copper, and the environmental impact studies conducted by the Department of Geology provide a crucial foundation for the effective development and management of the nation’s mineral resources. 

Accelerating Rare Earth Exploration for Thailand’s Future 

China is currently the world’s largest producer of rare earth elements, primarily extracting them from ion-adsorption clay deposits, which are relatively easy to process and abundant in supply. Production has also expanded into neighboring countries in the region.  Other countries, including Australia, Malaysia and India, produce rare earths from placer and heavy mineral deposits, while the United States, Canada and Russia develop primary deposits hosted in rocks such as carbonatite and alkaline igneous formations. 
“Thailand hosts all three types of rare earth deposits across various regions, and many areas contain significant rare earth compositions. However, what remains lacking is serious, systematic study and exploration. We have substantial resources, but we do not yet know the exact quantities. It is as if foreigners are knocking on our door and telling us there is treasure inside our own house — prompting us to turn around and ask how much treasure we actually have hidden within,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alongkot said. 

“The first step we must take is to clearly determine how much rare earth Thailand actually has. With accurate data, we can develop sound management plans and negotiate from an informed position, rather than selling these resources off at low prices. In the future, the value of rare earth elements could increase manyfold — even by tens or hundreds of times. All stakeholders must work together to manage these resources wisely, whether through knowledge development, conservation, maintaining strategic reserves, or advancing innovation.” 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alongkot explained that oversight and regulation of rare earth minerals in Thailand fall under the Department of Primary Industries and Mines and the Department of Mineral Resources, operating within the framework of the Minerals Act. The law considers multiple dimensions, including resource management, environmental protection, social and cultural impacts, community interests, and public health.  However, no official licenses have yet been granted to private companies or agencies to conduct formal exploration. As a result, most existing data currently comes from academic research. 

“Today presents a valuable opportunity for everyone to become more familiar with rare earth elements, which are part of the nation’s natural wealth. The public has the right to know what rare earth resources exist within our country. Beyond access to information, people should also recognize the value of all mineral resources so they can help conserve and utilize them efficiently — without causing harm to health or the environment.” 

Managing Rare Earth Wisely for the Common Good — Before Supplies Run Out 

Rare earth elements are non-renewable resources, but when they may be depleted depends on several factors, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alongkot said. These include the actual volume of reserves, the timing of their development and use, and advances in extraction and production technologies. 

“If we choose to preserve these resources for future use — when prices are higher or when we are fully prepared in all aspects — they could last for a long time. On the other hand, if production technologies improve, extraction could proceed more rapidly. Ultimately, it depends on the management approach we adopt. What is most important is …” 

“There must be comprehensive, multi-dimensional planning, including careful consideration of when and how these resources should be used to achieve maximum efficiency and benefit, while minimizing impacts on people, society, public health, and the environment. Above all, we must think of future generations, as the decisions made today will shape Thailand’s long-term future.” 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alongkot noted that, at present, there are no substitute materials that can fully replace rare earth elements. In the future, however, new materials with comparable or even superior properties may be developed — much like ongoing efforts to transition from coal to alternative energy sources. 

Rare earth elements are strategic resources that play a vital role in a nation’s economic and technological security. Thailand’s potential across all three types of rare earth deposits presents an opportunity that should not be overlooked. What is needed next is detailed exploration to obtain clear data on reserve volumes, alongside the development of skilled personnel and appropriate technologies, the establishment of sound policy frameworks, and broad participation from all sectors to ensure sustainable resource management. 

This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for Thailand to become part of the global rare earth supply chain through smart and sustainable management — creating genuine added value for the nation and its people. 

For updates and more information, follow the Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University on Facebook: Department of Geology, Chulalongkorn University. 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Line