Yesterday (22 Sep 2026) at 13:45 local time in New York City, USA, Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, along with his delegation, held talks with senior executives from leading US financial institutions and funds such as Bank of America and PIMCO, as well as global technology companies including Microsoft. This meeting involved 25 top global fund managers and institutional investors, collectively managing assets under management (AUM) exceeding 40 trillion US dollars worldwide.
Ekapop Pienpiset, spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister, revealed that during discussions with these three private sector entities, the Prime Minister emphasized the government's approach to creating an investment-friendly environment and welcomed the opportunity to exchange views with top executives from leading US financial institutions and funds.
He personally sees global financial institutions as playing a crucial role in linking Thailand with international investors and capital sources, as well as reflecting business sector perspectives beneficial to improving Thailand's investment climate.
The President of International Business from Bank of America (BofA) praised the Thai government's policies aligning with future global development trends, including promoting AI, digital technology, and the transition to clean energy. He also announced plans to visit Thailand to attend the IMF-World Bank Annual Meeting 2026 to be held in Thailand this October.
Meanwhile, in talks with Microsoft executives, both sides exchanged ideas to further digital cooperation, artificial intelligence (AI), digital infrastructure, workforce skill development, and cybersecurity to support Thailand's goal of becoming the regional digital economy and AI hub.
The Prime Minister also expressed gratitude to Microsoft for supporting Thailand's accession process to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which will elevate standards, regulations, productivity, and competitiveness, helping Thai businesses integrate into global supply chains and compete effectively in the digital economy.
In discussions with PIMCO executives, a fund managing over 2 trillion US dollars in assets, the Prime Minister and his team exchanged views on the global economic and financial situation, capital flow trends, and key factors institutional investors consider when making investment decisions.
The Prime Minister noted that insights from global investors are valuable for Thailand to monitor international economic and financial market directions and to develop policies and an investment environment that remain competitive and meet investors’ long-term needs.
“In the Prime Minister’s talks with two financial institutions and one leading US technology company, signals were sent about Thailand’s readiness to welcome capital and cooperation from international investors, creating opportunities for quality capital to support economic growth, infrastructure development, and promising industries. Thailand is not just seeking incoming capital but partners to jointly build the economy of the future,” said the spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister.
On this New York trip, the delegation accompanying the Prime Minister included both government and private sector representatives and members of the Thai capital market, such as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Supachai Jutamat, Minister of Digital Economy and Society Chaiyachon Chidchob, Managing Director of the Stock Exchange of Thailand Assadech Kongsiri, President of the Thai Capital Market Business Council (FETCO) Paiboon Nalinthrangkura, Managing Director of Bank of America National Association Orakanya Pibultham, and Dr. Pipat Luangnarumitchai, Managing Director and Chief Economist of Kiatnakin Phatra Financial Group (KKP).
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Supachai Jutamat said institutional investors attending showed strong interest in Thailand due to improved corporate performance and upgraded credit ratings, along with better returns in the stock market. The Prime Minister and Thai representatives presented key economic policies and the country’s strategic direction to investors.
Investors particularly inquired about Thailand’s policy stance on relations with the US and China. The Prime Minister clarified that Thailand maintains neutrality, viewing both countries as important partners, positioning itself with balance based on mutual benefit without taking sides.
Additionally, investors showed interest in Thailand’s policies and adjustments regarding geopolitical challenges. The Prime Minister presented Thailand’s energy transition towards greater renewable energy use to reduce external energy dependence, food security policies, and digital technology and data center initiatives. Questions were also raised about managing Thailand's high public debt and debt ceiling, to which the Prime Minister affirmed strict fiscal discipline and adherence to borrowing limits. These assurances were well received and satisfied investors.
Supachai also revealed that during the roadshow, Microsoft executives met with the Prime Minister to confirm their investment plans in Thailand. Discussions had been ongoing regarding investment value and plans, and this meeting reaffirmed Microsoft’s readiness to support Thailand in various areas.
Senior PIMCO executives, from a large US fund managing trillions of dollars, are seeking investment opportunities in Infrastructure Funds and Data Centers. They explained their motivation for this meeting is that US funds have invested heavily domestically and are reaching capacity limits, prompting expansion into new markets. Thailand is one of the key target markets of interest.
Investors seek confidence from the Prime Minister, who has provided assurances through policies aimed at advancing and elevating the economy, targeting Thailand’s transition to a high-income country by 2037, from its current middle-income status.
Chaiyachon Chidchob, Minister of Digital Economy and Society, said the most frequently asked topic concerned Thailand’s Data Center investment policies. The Thai side clearly emphasized the importance of environmental sustainability and building a long-term ecosystem.
“Thailand has openly stated it is not seeking one-time investments but partners to co-develop an ecosystem. Although Thailand sets conditions that increase costs for Data Center investors—such as sustainable energy use, water resource management (Water Positive), technology transfer, collaboration with universities, and support for computing power—investors have not delayed decisions and remain eager to invest. This reflects Thailand’s strong opportunity to become ASEAN’s technology hub,” Chaiyachon said.
He also noted strong investor demand for Data Centers, as global funds face social and political capacity limits in the US (Politically Capped) and need to expand abroad. Thailand is well-positioned as the Heart of ASEAN geographically, with infrastructure, internet connectivity, and cable systems. Establishing Data Centers in Thailand offers low latency and access to the ASEAN market of over 750 million people, beyond the domestic market of 70 million.
“Currently, Thailand is highly attractive, with readiness in regulations, energy policies, and infrastructure. However, given limited resources, the Prime Minister has directed the establishment of frameworks, regulations, and criteria to ensure Thailand can ‘choose’ Data Centers that provide substantial benefits to the country and its people, rather than merely exploiting Thailand’s resources and strategic location,” Chaiyachon said.
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