Thailand's first-generation EV batteries are reaching 8-10 year end-of-life, creating urgent need for battery recycling infrastructure. The country is currently in preparatory phase, with public-private partnerships exploring recycling technology, but capacity remains limited as a major wave of degraded batteries is expected post-2027. Developing domestic recycling capability could unlock economic opportunities—treating used batteries as "urban mines" of valuable metals (lithium, cobalt, nickel)—while supporting circular economy goals and reducing import dependence. This represents a critical shift from EV manufacturing focus to battery lifecycle management as the new competitive frontier.