Despite challenges from AI-driven digitalisation, experts at the SMBC Thai Economy Forum remain optimistic about Thailand’s growth prospects in 2026. The forum, held in Bangkok and attended by over 600 business leaders, highlighted opportunities in sustainability, innovation, and Thailand–Japan collaboration despite global headwinds.
Kalin Sarasin highlighted global challenges such as economic fragmentation, labor skill shortages, sustainability pressures, aging populations, and the rise of AI. He emphasized Thailand’s strategic importance in Asia and potential through enhanced Japan-Thai cooperation in areas like smart manufacturing, green energy, tourism, and innovation.
Japan’s ambassador Masato Otaka and SMBC’s AI expert Ahmed Mazhari stressed AI’s transformative potential, urging Thailand and Japan to harness this technology for competitiveness, industrial automation, and inclusive growth. Industry leaders discussed AI’s impact across healthcare, finance, and government, emphasizing the importance of strategic adoption for future growth.
Thailand faces structural challenges including demographic decline, high household debt, geopolitical tensions, and sluggish growth. Experts recommend accelerating investment approvals, regulatory reforms, accelerating green energy, and boosting infrastructure to position Thailand for resilience and regional leadership.
In closing, analyst Narongchai Akrasanee advised Thailand to adapt by managing global shifts, integrating AI, and strengthening ASEAN ties to secure stability and growth in an uncertain world. Overall, the forum underscored a cautious yet hopeful outlook for Thailand’s economy in the years ahead.