The Department of Business Development at the Ministry of Commerce has reported a robust surge in foreign investment into Thailand during the first four months of 2025 (January to April), with 363 foreign companies granted approval to establish or operate businesses under the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542. Total investment reached THB 57.86 billion.
Approval channels were divided into two main routes:
- 87 companies received business operation licenses under the Foreign Business Act.
- 276 companies obtained certification to operate under other investment promotion laws, such as the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand Act, or international treaty privileges.
This marks a significant increase of 110 companies (43%) and a THB 2.90 billion (5%) rise in investment value compared to the same period last year.
Top 5 Source Countries for Foreign Investment in Thailand (Jan–Apr 2025):
1) Japan:
- Investments: 71 companies (20% of all foreign businesses)
- Value: THB 17.26 billion
- Focus: Procurement of raw materials and components for various industries, equipment procurement and services for undersea pipeline installation in oil drilling projects, EV charging station operations, and contract manufacturing.
2) United States:
- Investments: 51 companies (14%)
- Value: THB 2.48 billion
- Focus: Retail, warehousing, data center operations, and contract manufacturing.
3) Singapore:
- Investments: 45 companies (12%)
- Value: THB 9.13 billion
- Focus: Design, procurement, installation, training, providing advice on operation control and data collection systems for electric train projects, modern distribution centers, software development, and contract manufacturing.
4) China:
- Investments: 43 companies (12%)
- Value: THB 6.47 billion
- Focus: Procurement of materials and components for domestic wholesale, free zone customs services, factory rental with full amenities, and contract manufacturing.
5) Hong Kong:
- Investments: 40 companies (11%)
- Value: THB 5.77 billion
- Focus: Modern distribution centers, EV charging station services, data centers and cloud services, and contract manufacturing.
The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) continues to attract significant foreign direct investment. In the first four months of 2025, 108 foreign companies invested in the EEC, accounting for 30% of foreign investors in Thailand—up by 31 companies (40%) from the same period last year. The EEC accounted for THB 31.36 billion in investment, representing 54% of total foreign investment nationwide.
Breakdown of EEC investors:
- Japan: 32 companies, THB 10.01 billion
- China: 25 companies, THB 3.87 billion
- Singapore: 10 companies, THB 5.93 billion
- Other countries: 41 companies, THB 11.55 billion
Key sectors drawing investment included retail of industrial moulds for plastic parts production, supply of repair parts for refrigeration and machinery, metal surface coating services, technology platforms and applications, and contract manufacturing of industrial chemicals, machinery parts, auto compressor components, and plastic products for industry.
