Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General at the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), stated that this year, investing in Thailand has become a powerful trend and gains attraction from investors continually.
During the first half of the year (January – June 2025), the applications for investment promotion have grown significantly, both in terms of projects and investment value. The number of investment promotion applications has increased from the same period last year by 38% to 1,880 projects, while the investment value soared by 138% to THB 1.05 trillion. This development reflects the confidence in Thailand and its role in becoming an essential investment hub in the region.
The industry that generated the highest investment is the digital industry, totaling THB 522.57 billion across 89 investment projects. Following next are electronics and electrical appliances (THB 125.78 billion and 268 projects), automotive and parts (THB 45.19 billion and 172 projects), electricity generation from renewable energy (THB 42.23 billion and 191 projects), agriculture and food processing (THB 30.78 billion and 184 projects), petrochemicals and chemicals (THB 26.72 billion and 161 projects), medical (THB 18.58 billion and 68 projects), and tourism (THB 12.89 billion and 17 projects).
The projects that gain large attraction in the 1H25 and highlight Thailand as investment hub in the region in auto, semiconductor, electronics, and digital sectors included the large-scale data center investment, the expansion of Japan automaker investment to manufacturer electric vehicles (EV) and pickup trucks, the production of power control units (PCUs) for hybrid vehicles, the manufacturing of battery cells for EVs and energy storage systems, the production of specialty capacitors meant for electronic devices, such as laptop, smartphone, and AI data center, the chip assembly and testing, and the production of electronic circuit boards (PCBs).
As for foreign direct investment (FDI), its growth continues to expand. The number of its investment promotion applications has reached 1,369 projects, a 59% increase YoY, while the investment value soared to a total of THB 737.57 billion, a 132% increase. The top five nations/ economic areas that invest the most are Singapore, spending about THB 246.97 billion. Following are Hong Kong, China, the U.K., and Japan, investing THB 218.63 billion, THB 102.26 billion, THB 93.72 billion, and THB 49.81 billion, respectively.
These countries/ economic areas mostly invest in the data center business, improving Thailand’s capability to become the region’s digital hub. The nation will now be able to support new industries, such as AI and IoT, both from the domestic market and connect with the region’s market.
In terms of area, Thailand’s Eastern region received the highest investment, reaching about THB 660.63 billion. The Central region received approximately THB 333.65 billion, while the South region received about THB 20.08 billion. The Northeast, West, and North received THB 19.35 billion, THB 11.34 billion, and THB 4.57 billion, respectively.
The applications for promotion by the standard to improve industry toward a smart and sustainable industry, which are the investment in original businesses to improve their efficiency, have gained significant attention and continue to grow in the first half of the year. The application number has reached 365 projects, a 99% increase YoY, while their investment value has expanded to a total of THB 26.74 billion, a 43% increase. Most of the investment went to energy saving, renewable energy, environmental impact reduction, technology modernization, digital technology utilization, as well as automatic systems and robots to increase production efficiency.
The number of projects approved in 1H25 reached 1,504 projects, with investment value reaching THB 904.06 billion. This development is anticipated to create 110,000 jobs, utilize domestic resources worth about THB 360 billion annually, accounting for about 42% of the raw materials’ total value, and increase the export value by about THB 780 billion annually.
Mr. Narit stated that the global situation is filled with uncertainty and risk, but the business sector must keep moving forward. Companies have to ignore the current volatility and focus on short-term risk management, plan long-term investing strategies and choose investing areas that contain good fundamental factors, well infrastructure systems and supply chains, qualified personnel, as well as government support policies.
Most leading investors have confidence in Thailand’s capability and decide to expand their investments in the country. This allows the nation’s investment rate in the first half of the year to continue growing, especially in digital and AI technology, electrical products, smart electronic appliances, automotive and parts, agriculture, food, and the renewable energy industry. These sectors are playing an essential role in advancing Thailand.
