However, Commerce officials have worried about the policy's impact on relations with key trading partners, Europe and the United States, home to several pharmaceutical giants.
Drug firms and their allies have accused Bangkok of stealing intellectual property. The United States put Thailand on its "priority watch list", citing weaker respect for patents.
Washington has not threatened trade sanctions, but Chaiya said Thai Commerce Ministry officials fear a further downgrade could put Thailand at risk of American trade retaliation.
"We have to look at the big picture when we run the entire country," said Chaiya, a veteran politician with no medical background. ($1=32.87 Baht)
