The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has officially kicked off its flagship international investment conference, “Thailand Focus“. Marking its landmark 20th anniversary, this year’s event is held under the theme “Reignite Thailand,” aimed at sparking new momentum, fueling fresh opportunities, and restoring global investor confidence in the nation’s economic growth potential.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Asadej Kongsiri, President of the SET, welcomed international delegates with a message of strong collaboration and shared a series of striking financial figures illustrating a dramatic market turnaround from the previous year.
Mr. Asadej drew a sharp contrast between the state of the Thai capital market today and its position just twelve months ago. “It’s interesting to see what a year makes a difference,” he noted, highlighting key shifts in market performance and investor sentiment:
- SET Index Recovery: Last year, the SET Index languished at the 1,200 level. Today, it has surged to 1,600.
- Doubled Trading Volume: Daily trading volume has experienced a massive boost. While volume on some days last year fell below $1 billion USD, this year it is generally averaging above $2 billion USD.
- Reversed Fund Flows: Foreign capital is returning to Thai equities. Foreign fund flows, which stood at a negative $3 billion USD last year, have rebounded to north of positive $2 billion USD year-to-date.
A critical driver behind this renewed market confidence is Thailand’s evolving political landscape. Mr. Asadej pointed out that the election held since last year has paved the way for a much stronger, more cohesive, and more confident government.
This political stability is expected to translate into decisive action, transforming crucial economic policies into real, structural changes that Thailand has long needed to unlock its full potential. The SET President noted that while the Thai market has historically underperformed over the past five to ten years, there are now clear and undeniable signs of improvement. This turnaround is especially visible in the strong recovery of both foreign direct investment (FDI) and local private investment.
Global Reach and Regional Integration
Now in its 20th edition, Thailand Focus has solidified its reputation as Thailand’s premier international investment platform. The three-day event has brought together leading global and regional institutional investors to explore high-potential opportunities in the country.
The scale of this year’s conference is immense, featuring:
- 78 Listed Companies: Top-tier Thai corporations are lined up to participate in exclusive one-on-one and group meetings with global fund managers.
- A Forward-Looking Agenda: Unlike last year’s event, which featured financial regulators on the panels, this year’s schedule is focused squarely on the future, featuring key policymakers who will outline exactly how they are moving Thailand forward.
- ASEAN Exchange Integration: To celebrate the 20th anniversary, CEOs from various ASEAN exchanges are in attendance. A special lunchtime session will feature these regional leaders, marking a collaborative starting point for greater ASEAN exchange networking, inclusivity, and mutual support.
The event is organized by the Stock Exchange of Thailand in collaboration with several prominent co-hosts, including CLSA Securities Thailand, DBS Vickers Securities Thailand, Kiatnakin Phatra Securities, Bank of America Securities, and UBS Securities Thailand.
“We hope that this will be a fruitful and useful event for everyone, and to drive ASEAN and Thailand forward,” Mr. Asadej concluded, thanking global investors for their long-standing support and continued trust in the Thai capital market.
