Amid intensifying global competition for investment driven by geopolitical tensions and technological shifts, Thailand remains a key destination for investors, especially in the growing digital and advanced technology sectors fueled by AI trends.
Recently, the Board of Investment (BOI) revealed that during the first nine months of 2026 (January–September), Thailand received 1,954 investment promotion requests, totaling 1,707.43 billion baht (over 1.7 trillion baht), marking a 28% increase compared to the same period last year.
These figures illustrate shifting investment directions, with the digital, electronics, and AI-related industries as major drivers, while traditional sectors like agriculture and food continue steady growth.
Narut Therdsteerasak, Secretary-General of the BOI, stated that the growth in investment promotion requests reflects increasing investor confidence in Thailand's potential, following regulatory and infrastructure improvements, as well as government measures like Thailand FastPass that accelerate investment and Skill Bridge aimed at developing personnel for future industries.
A closer look at the highest investment-attracting industries shows the digital sector leading with investment promotion requests exceeding 1.17 trillion baht from 139 projects, nearly doubling from the same period last year.
Next is the electronics and electrical appliances industry, with total investment of 189.37 billion baht from 262 projects, a 7% increase from the previous year.
The growth of these two sectors is linked to the global expansion of AI, which requires not only software and intelligent models but also extensive infrastructure and equipment, including Data Centers, semiconductors, servers, electrical systems, and high-speed data transmission devices.
Focusing specifically on AI supply chain businesses, there are 111 investment promotion requests totaling over 1.2 trillion baht, covering various business types including:
Among companies applying for promotion are global manufacturers and firms already established in Thailand, such as Analog Devices (ADI), investing in semiconductor and integrated circuit testing, and Delta Electronics, investing in PCB production as well as power supply, conversion, and energy control systems.
Western Digital Storage Technologies is expanding investment in advanced hard disk drive production; Eoptolink Technology is investing in photonics devices like optical transceivers used for high-speed optical data transmission; and Celestica is investing in manufacturing Network Switches, Mainboards, and AI Servers.
These investments demonstrate that Thailand's opportunities in AI go beyond hosting Data Centers to include serving as a production base for essential AI technology components and parts.
As Data Centers and AI systems grow, demand rises for servers, data storage, transmission devices, power supply, and cooling systems.
This trend opens opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs to engage in the supply chain through parts manufacturing, system installation, maintenance, and related services, linking digital infrastructure investments with Thailand's existing electronics industry base.
Although most investments flow into technology industries, the agriculture and food sectors—important pillars of Thailand's economy—also show continuous growth.
In the first nine months of 2026, the agriculture and food industry had investment promotion requests worth 80.19 billion baht from 218 projects, a 59% increase compared to the same period last year.
Investments cover modern food and beverage production, animal feed, processed starch, natural ingredient extracts, rubber products, and packaging made from agricultural produce or byproducts.
Applicants in this group include Nestlé for coffee and pet food production, Thai Inaba Foods for pet food manufacturing, Siam Quality Starch and Siam Modified Starch specializing in processed starches with special properties, and European Food producing snacks.
This expansion is important for upgrading Thailand’s agricultural sector from raw material production and sales to processing higher-value products, increasing opportunities to use domestic raw materials.
This direction aligns with the World Bank's view that digital services, advanced manufacturing, and agriculture and food sectors hold potential to drive Thailand’s economy and generate quality jobs.
Thus, Thailand’s future economic development includes not only creating new industries like AI, electric vehicles, aerospace parts, automation, and robotics but also enhancing existing industries to compete more effectively.
Another sector to watch is energy and basic utilities, which, while not having the highest investment value, has the most investment promotion projects—313 projects totaling 59.87 billion baht.
Most investments involve renewable energy production such as solar, wind, biomass, and biogas, as well as developing essential utility systems for industry, including industrial estates and industrial water production systems.
The importance of this investment lies in preparing infrastructure to support modern industries, especially high-tech businesses requiring stable and adequate energy systems.
Access to clean energy is becoming a crucial factor in international trade and investment competition, making energy infrastructure development a key element in attracting future industries.
Additionally, there are investments in other sectors: logistics and services with 51.82 billion baht from 236 projects; automotive and parts with 36.34 billion baht from 191 projects; minerals, metals, and materials with 28.46 billion baht from 183 projects; chemicals and petrochemicals with 22.16 billion baht from 178 projects; and machinery, automation, and robotics with 18.88 billion baht from 122 projects.
Another key figure reflecting Thailand’s investment trend is Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). In the first nine months of 2026, foreign investment promotion requests totaled 1,309 projects worth 1,550.78 billion baht (over 1.55 trillion baht), a 62% increase from the same period last year.
Breaking down by investor country shows Singapore leading with investments worth 1.16 trillion baht, far ahead of other countries. The top five countries are:
Although Singapore tops in investment value, China has the highest number of project requests at 493, compared to Singapore’s 214 projects.
Foreign investment remains concentrated in digital infrastructure, semiconductors, electronics, and electrical appliances. The BOI views FDI growth as a result of global supply chain restructuring, leading more foreign firms to expand their investment base in Thailand.
However, investment promotion requests do not represent actual funds entering the economy yet, as projects must undergo approval and issuance of promotion certificates before investment can proceed.
In the first nine months of 2026, the BOI approved promotion for 1,951 projects totaling 1,512.6 billion baht in investment. These approved projects are expected to benefit Thailand’s economy in multiple ways:
At the promotion certificate issuance stage—the closest to actual investment—there are 1,961 projects worth 1,047.71 billion baht, a 10% increase from the same period last year. This signals that over one trillion baht in investment funds will soon flow into Thailand’s economy.
The BOI emphasizes continuing to attract new investments alongside upgrading existing industrial bases, focusing on technology and personnel development, and encouraging Thai businesses to join high-tech supply chains to add domestic value and enhance Thailand’s long-term economic competitiveness.
For economic and government policy news, read Thairath Money to help you achieve “Good Finance, Good Life” athttps://www.thairath.co.th/money/economics
Follow the Facebook page: Thairath Money at this linkhttps://www.facebook.com/ThairathMoney