Thai Government Emphasizes Technology Transfer and Workforce Development for Foreign Investment

Key summary

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated on October 24, 2026, that foreign investment in Thailand must include technology transfer and workforce skill development. He highlighted the country's infrastructure readiness, logistics networks connecting to Laos, southern China, and Malaysia, and access to two sea routes. The government aims to shift investor perspectives from viewing Thailand as a market for 70 million people to a production hub for over 700 million in ASEAN. Economic Cabinet measures have reduced business barriers, with first-half foreign direct investment (FDI) growth exceeding the full-year previous year by approximately 30%. The Prime Minister warned against investors seeking only low labor costs or utilities without contributing technology, asserting that investment must drive long-term economic value and upgrade the Thai workforce.