Amid global economic volatility and escalating geopolitical risks, many may see this era as one filled with challenges, risks, and constraints.
. Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, the key leader of WHA Group, sees a major "golden opportunity," especially for Thailand, as global investment flows seek new, safe, and promising bases.
The transition to a new economy is not just a survival path but a crucial moment for Thailand to turn crisis into advantage, rising as a future industrial hub in the region.
Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, Chairperson and CEO of WHA Corporation Public Company Limited, said the world is currently in an era of competition and widespread uncertainty. A key challenge globally is the power shift, especially the rivalry between the United States and China, whose geopolitical conflict inevitably extends to geo-economics.
However, analyzing the bigger picture and long term, the current situation is not a "crisis" but an important "opportunity" for Thailand to attract investment capital transitioning into the new economy. Thailand can leverage its advantages to more easily negotiate and attract investments, particularly in Data Centers and future industries.
The rapid growth of AI technology has brought vast opportunities, especially in Data Center investment, which is still in an early stage in Thailand. There is potential for Thailand to become a global AI hub in the future.
This is reflected in foreign direct investment (FDI) soaring to 136 billion baht, a 66% increase, surpassing Vietnam. Most of this comes from investments in digital, electronics, and printed circuit board industries establishing production bases in Thailand.
However, Thailand needs to accelerate adjustments such as building green and future infrastructure, developing and transitioning human potential, and improving fast-track investment laws. If government and private sectors push successfully, Thailand can fully elevate itself as a key player in the global supply chain.
Regarding WHA's direction, the company has set strategies aligned with global trends by investing in 7 key future industries out of 10 targeted sectors, including digital, AI, clean energy, future automotive, and advanced robotics, to sustain continuous growth amid new world challenges.
On concerns about uncertainty from Donald Trump's tariff policies potentially impacting investment climate and production base relocation,
Jareeporn views such uncertainty as not new but something known since his first term. The company has assessed and prepared since the initial trade war, the starting point of global production base shifts.
To handle this long-term challenge, WHA has employed a clear risk diversification strategy, not relying solely on investment from Chinese investors of a single nationality.
Currently, 83% of the company's clients are foreign investors spread across four main countries: China, Japan, the United States, and Europe, with renewed investment expansions.
Additionally, the company leverages geopolitical tensions to attract target industries such as semiconductors and Data Centers to Thailand.
Moreover, negotiations are underway with some countries to promote Thailand as a "second home" for production bases. The company is confident that regardless of global political fluctuations, foreign direct investment will continue to flow and drive Thailand's growth.
Jareeporn said the company targets 2026 operations focusing on comprehensive growth to reinforce its leadership in providing integrated solutions, preparing for new industry trends such as production base relocation, digital economy growth, and greenhouse gas reduction goals.
For industrial estates, the company aims to sell 2,500 rai of land (2,300 rai in Thailand and 200 rai in Vietnam), with a key highlight being the planned transfer of over 6,490 rai of the smart project WHA ESIE5 in Q1 2026. The company also plans proactive industrial zone expansion in Vietnam, including Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, Hung Yen, and Danang.
In logistics and industrial estate businesses, the company aims to increase assets under management (AUM) to 3,437,000 square meters, preparing to deliver 200,000 square meters of new rental space by expanding new phases in strategic locations such as WHA Mega Logistics Center Thepharak Km.21 (Phase 3) and Cholharaphichit Km.4 Project 2, alongside plans to sell assets to WHART and WHAIR trusts totaling 193,000 square meters worth about 4.7 billion baht.
In utilities, the company targets water sales and management of 170 million cubic meters, driven by the Smart Water platform, accelerating expansion of water reserves and recycling solutions to meet the high water demand of Data Center clients, who use 12 to 16 times more water than usual.
In power business, the company aims to expand renewable energy portfolios in Thailand and Vietnam to meet industrial decarbonization pressures. It targets cumulative power purchase agreements (PPA) of 1,124 megawatts through projects like Solar Private PPA, Feed-in-Tariff, and Direct PPA.
For future innovations like mobility and digital businesses, WHA is accelerating the creation of a complete commercial electric vehicle ecosystem under the "Mobilix" brand, aiming to provide rental services for 637 EVs, working in coordination with digital business developing Mobilix Software Solution for intelligent EV and battery management.
Additionally, the company upgrades services through the WHASApp customer communication application, featuring the CO2ZERO platform to manage carbon footprints and the WeCYCLE project for sustainable recycling waste management.
The company has set a total investment budget of 16.5 billion baht, allocated as 9 billion for industrial estates, 3.7 billion for logistics, 2.9 billion for utilities and energy, 600 million for mobility, and 300 million for digital. The revenue and normal profit share target is 20 billion baht, with an EBITDA margin over 45% and a net debt-to-equity ratio below 1.2 times.
Read stock and investment news with Thairath Money at
Follow the Facebook page: Thairath Money at this link