Thai Government Reorients Investment Strategy to Emphasize Infrastructure and Technology Transfer

Key summary

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated on October 25 that Thailand is shifting its investment strategy to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) by highlighting robust infrastructure, logistics connectivity to a 700 million-person ASEAN market, and mandatory technology transfer. He clarified that the country is not seeking cheap labor but rather partners who bring skills and value. The administration cites a 30% increase in H1 FDI compared to the previous full year as evidence of growing investor confidence. To facilitate this, the Council for Economic Development (Krom Ekonomi), which includes private sector representatives, works to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and accelerate decision-making.