Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand’s Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, met with leading U.S. investment funds at a forum organized by global financial and investment firm Jefferies Group LLC in New York on September 24, 2026, as Thailand sought to highlight its investment opportunities and economic potential.
The meeting was held at Lever House at 10:15 a.m. local time.
During the meeting, Anutin invited U.S. investors to explore opportunities in Thailand, highlighting several factors that make the country an attractive destination for new investment.
For investors launching new projects, Thailand offers an established business ecosystem, meaning they do not need to build an entirely new industrial base from scratch. The country has accumulated a strong manufacturing base, industrial clusters, transportation infrastructure, and networks of producers and suppliers serving customers worldwide.
Thailand can also serve as a regional operating base in Southeast Asia, allowing companies to work with local suppliers while gaining access to markets across the region, the Prime Minister said.
Thailand is also playing an increasing role in the global supply chain supporting AI infrastructure. Growing demand for data storage, high-speed data transmission, reliable power systems and infrastructure supporting digital services presents a significant opportunity for Thailand to attract higher-value economic activities.
The Thai economy also remains resilient, supported by strong international reserves, while public debt remains within the statutory ceiling, providing the government with fiscal space to respond to external shocks and changing economic conditions.
Foreign investment interest in Thailand has also shown clear momentum. In the first half of the year, applications for investment promotion from foreign investors reached THB 1.37 trillion, an 80% increase from the same period a year earlier, indicating continued interest from businesses seeking investment opportunities as Thailand positions itself to accommodate new investment.
The government also remains open to investment in data centers, while recognizing the projects’ implications for energy consumption and water resources. Authorities are therefore reviewing relevant criteria to attract projects that are appropriate for Thailand and capable of generating long-term economic benefits.
In closing, Anutin said Thailand continues to offer significant economic opportunities, both from incoming foreign investment and from Thai companies that are ready to expand their investments.
The government’s role, he said, is to help turn these opportunities into actual businesses and support sustainable economic growth.
The government is also open to hearing investors’ views on where they see the greatest opportunities in Thailand, as well as their concerns, with the aim of facilitating an open exchange of views.
Jefferies Group LLC is a global financial and investment firm providing services including capital markets, securities trading and asset management. The company operates across major financial centers worldwide and plays a role in connecting investors with investment opportunities across international capital markets.
