Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the Board of Investment (BOI), revealed that on January 19, 2026, in Davos, Switzerland, Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, attended the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 on its opening day.
He led the “Team Thailand” delegates and private sector executives in meetings with the World Bank and leading global technology companies to promote Thailand’s role on the global economic stage, expand economic and investment cooperation, and highlight Thailand’s potential as a key investment hub in the region for future industries.
Ekniti, along with representatives from both Thailand’s public and private sectors, met with Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, to exchange views on the global economic situation and explore ways to collaborate in supporting Thailand’s economic development, advancing a low-carbon society, and creating valuable employment in the country. Preparations were also discussed for Thailand to host the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in October 2026.
In addition, discussions were held with Mirek Dusek, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF), and John Dutton, Head of the WEF UpLink, focusing on networking innovation ecosystems, especially startup groups, supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs to access global investment opportunities, and cooperating on sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), which remains a critical issue for the global private sector.
Concurrently, Ekniti met with executives from top global technology companies to accelerate investment and deepen cooperation on the digital economy and artificial intelligence, as well as develop the digital skills of Thai entrepreneurs and professionals. These include:
1) Amazon Web Services (AWS), a global cloud provider, has announced a long-term investment plan in Thailand of over THB 150 billion within 15 years and has received BOI investment promotion for data center operations. The first phase has seen an investment exceeding THB 24.8 billion, with three data centers now operational in Thailand. Discussions covered participation in the government’s Cloud First initiative and collaboration with Thai educational institutions to develop specialized data center engineers.
2) Microsoft, a leader in cloud and AI technology, has announced investment plans in Thailand since 2024. The company now co-invests with several Thai firms and works with government agencies, such as the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, to develop digital and AI skills and to support cloud adoption in government operations.
3) TikTok, a global digital platform, has a long-term investment plan for Thailand totaling more than THB 270 billion. Over THB 30 billion has already been invested in the first phase. Discussions included expanding Thailand’s role as a base for other regional activities, such as a regional content hub.
4) HCL Technologies, an Indian IT and software company specializing in digital transformation, exchanged views on technology trends and the direction of digital investment, along with opportunities to collaborate in upgrading Thailand’s digital ecosystem through cloud and AI utilization in the public sector, agriculture, and manufacturing, while developing the workforce in line with modern industries.
Narit asserted that participating in the WEF in Davos is a significant opportunity to connect with global economic leaders and drive proactive cooperation towards tangible projects and investment initiatives. This reflects Thailand’s readiness to serve as a stable, long-term business base and a crucial gateway to the high-potential Asian market.
