Foreign Investment in Thailand Continues to Rise Amid Transitional Government Period, With Large Investors Waiting for Policy Clarity
Despite the ongoing transition period of the government, foreign direct investment (FDI) and domestic investments in Thailand remain robust. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary-General of the Board of Investment (BOI), revealed to Thansettakij that during the first half of 2025, a total of 1,880 investment promotion projects were initiated, representing a 38% increase compared to the same period last year.
The combined investment value reached 1.05 trillion baht, marking a 138% increase. The Eastern region led investment applications, with 1,010 projects—accounting for 54% of all projects. Notably, the majority of these projects were in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), covering Rayong, Chonburi, and Chachoengsao, which attracted 660.63 billion baht—or 62% of total investment.
Other regions also contributed significantly, with investments in Central Thailand (333.65 billion baht), Southern Thailand (20.08 billion baht), Northeastern Thailand (19.35 billion baht), Western Thailand (11.34 billion baht), and Northern Thailand (4.57 billion baht).
Out of these projects, 508 were situated in industrial estates or zones with investment promotion status, representing a 14% increase and valued at 218.38 billion baht, up 3%. The bulk of investments focused on electronics, electrical appliances, automotive, and parts sectors, according to Narit.
The top five sectors for investment promotion applications include:
- Digital industry: 89 projects with 520 billion baht, mainly for data center operations.
- Electronics and electrical appliances: 268 projects totaling 120 billion baht, including battery manufacturing for energy storage and electric vehicles, chip assembly/testing, PCB production, and smart electronics.
- Automotive and parts: 172 projects worth 45 billion baht, covering tire manufacturing, inverter production, and components for electric vehicle thermal management.
- Renewable energy: 191 projects with 42 billion baht, primarily solar and wind power generation.
- Agriculture and food processing: 184 projects totaling 31 billion baht, including flavorings, pet food, and agricultural waste processing.
Narit also highlighted that in the first half of 2025, the total value of investment promotion applications exceeded 1 trillion baht, and the full-year figures are expected to surpass last year’s totals in both the number of projects and overall investment.
In 2024, Thailand received 3,137 investment promotion applications, amounting to 1.13 trillion baht.
Thailand’s investment environment remains resilient, characterized by stability, cost-effectiveness, and a robust long-term production base. Advantages include world-class infrastructure supporting industrial estates, logistics, deep-sea ports, international airports, a stable energy grid, renewable energy prospects, high-speed internet, and nationwide 5G connectivity.
Despite the ongoing transition period of the government, foreign direct investment (FDI) and domestic investments in Thailand remain robust. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary-General of the Board of Investment (BOI), revealed to Thansettakij that during the first half of 2025, a total of 1,880 investment promotion projects were initiated, representing a 38% increase compared to the same period last year.
The combined investment value reached 1.05 trillion baht, marking a 138% increase. The Eastern region led investment applications, with 1,010 projects—accounting for 54% of all projects. Notably, the majority of these projects were in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), covering Rayong, Chonburi, and Chachoengsao, which attracted 660.63 billion baht—or 62% of total investment.
Other regions also contributed significantly, with investments in Central Thailand (333.65 billion baht), Southern Thailand (20.08 billion baht), Northeastern Thailand (19.35 billion baht), Western Thailand (11.34 billion baht), and Northern Thailand (4.57 billion baht).
Out of these projects, 508 were situated in industrial estates or zones with investment promotion status, representing a 14% increase and valued at 218.38 billion baht, up 3%. The bulk of investments focused on electronics, electrical appliances, automotive, and parts sectors, according to Narit.
The top five sectors for investment promotion applications include:
- Digital industry: 89 projects with 520 billion baht, mainly for data center operations.
- Electronics and electrical appliances: 268 projects totaling 120 billion baht, including battery manufacturing for energy storage and electric vehicles, chip assembly/testing, PCB production, and smart electronics.
- Automotive and parts: 172 projects worth 45 billion baht, covering tire manufacturing, inverter production, and components for electric vehicle thermal management.
- Renewable energy: 191 projects with 42 billion baht, primarily solar and wind power generation.
- Agriculture and food processing: 184 projects totaling 31 billion baht, including flavorings, pet food, and agricultural waste processing.
Narit also highlighted that in the first half of 2025, the total value of investment promotion applications exceeded 1 trillion baht, and the full-year figures are expected to surpass last year’s totals in both the number of projects and overall investment.
In 2024, Thailand received 3,137 investment promotion applications, amounting to 1.13 trillion baht.
Thailand’s investment environment remains resilient, characterized by stability, cost-effectiveness, and a robust long-term production base. Advantages include world-class infrastructure supporting industrial estates, logistics, deep-sea ports, international airports, a stable energy grid, renewable energy prospects, high-speed internet, and nationwide 5G connectivity.