Nation Thailand
ASEAN drew US$246bn in 2025 and Thailand a record US$19.1bn as region targets high-tech investment
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Thailand attracted a record US$19.1 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI), equivalent to more than 630 billion baht, in 2025, up 30%, according to the Board of Investment (BOI).
Key facts
- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) received US$246 billion in FDI in 2025, equivalent to more than 8.1 trillion baht, according to the BOI
- According to the UNCTAD findings cited by the BOI, the share of intangible investment rose from 44% in 2005–2010 to 64% in 2020–2025, growing almost twice as quickly as investment in tangible assets.
- Regional inflows increased by 10%, outpacing global FDI growth and accounting for more than 15% of the worldwide total.
- BOI secretary-general Narit Therdsteerasukdi said Thailand and its ASEAN partners must strengthen workforce skills, research and development, and supply chains to attract the next wave of investment in advanced technologies.
- The BOI presented progress on Thailand FastPass, which aims to make approvals and licensing procedures across government agencies 20–50% faster
- Brent falls to US$99.25 a barrel on September 22 as Saudi flows rise, but Nagel keeps ECB rate rises open
Summary
BOI secretary-general Narit Therdsteerasukdi said Thailand and its ASEAN partners must strengthen workforce skills, research and development, and supply chains to attract the next wave of investment in advanced technologies.
Narit was speaking after representing the Thai government at the ASEAN Investment Area Council meeting in Manila, the Philippines, on September 19, 2026. The meeting discussed cooperation on investment promotion amid geopolitical uncertainty, changes in global supply chains and the rapid transition towards green and digital economies.