Last updated: 24 May 2026 | 16 Views |
Mr. Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, Director-General of the Department of Business Development, Ministry of Commerce, and Secretary of the Committee on Foreign Business Operations, revealed that in the first four months of 2026, 438 foreign investors were granted permission to invest in Thailand under the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999). Of these, 98 investments were made through the application for foreign business licenses and 340 through the application for foreign business certificates (via investment promotion laws, permits under the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand law, or rights under international treaties or agreements). The total investment value amounted to 129,332 million baht. The top five countries of foreign investment are:
1. United States: 77 companies, representing 18% of foreign businesses in Thailand, invested 5,951 million baht in businesses such as:
- Engineering services
- Advertising
- Sports center and fitness center services
- Contract manufacturing services, such as metal products and metal parts, cast iron parts, plastic pellets, etc.
2. China: 65 companies, representing 15% of foreign businesses in Thailand, invested 25,092 million baht in businesses such as:
- Silver jewelry manufacturing
- Wholesale of products such as barcode printers and coronary balloon angioplasty, etc.
- Software development services
- Contract manufacturing services, such as industrial plastic parts, metal products, and industrial chemicals, etc.
3. Japan: 65 companies, representing 15% of foreign businesses in Thailand, invested 24,724 million baht in businesses such as:
- Engineering and technical services, such as circuit board analysis of machinery. To investigate the cause of malfunctions, etc.
- Warehouse management services business
- Software development services business
- Contract manufacturing services business, such as metal stamping molds, Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA), and electronic components for vehicles, etc.
4. Singapore 57 businesses, representing 13% of the total number of foreign businesses in Thailand, invested 23,575 million baht in businesses such as:
- Wholesale businesses such as machinery, mechanical equipment, and chemical materials used for welding in various industries, etc.
- Data Center services business
- Metal coating and high-tech metal coating services business
- Contract manufacturing services business, such as molds, machine parts, and solar power, etc.
5. Hong Kong 42 businesses, representing 10% of the total number of foreign businesses in Thailand, invested 8,066 million baht in businesses such as:
- Engineering and technical services business, such as installation services, technical consulting and advice on configuration, maintenance, and repair of machinery, equipment, and various systems, etc.
- Business sourcing and service provider services in Thailand for accommodation, travel tickets, and restaurants
- Software development/improvement services business
- Contract manufacturing services business, such as metal casting, switches for vehicles, and dental products, etc.
Compared to the first four months of 2025, the number of permits granted to foreigners to invest in businesses in Thailand increased by 75 (21%) (438 permits in January-April 2026 / 363 permits in January-April 2025). The investment value also increased by 71,472 million baht (124%) (129,332 million baht in January-April 2026 / 57,860 million baht in January-April 2025). Furthermore, the employment of Thai citizens by investors applying for foreign business licenses totaled 3,455 people, an increase of 1,141 people (49%) from the previous year (3,455 jobs in January-April 2026 /
2,314 jobs in January-April 2025). Furthermore, it was found that the majority of foreign investment came from investments under the Board of Investment (BOI) law, totaling 203 companies, representing 46% of the total 438 permits, with an investment value of 52,403 million baht. This aligns with the
government's policy of attracting foreign investment, which focuses on future industries such as advanced technology, digital AI, electric vehicles, clean energy, and agro-food. The top three business types granted permits through the BOI channel are:
1. Contract manufacturing services, such as recycled paper products, vehicle tires, and aircraft engine cases, which support the development of high-value-added production;
2. High-value service businesses, such as Trade and Investment Support Offices (TISO), International Business Centers (IBCs), and international sourcing centers for raw materials, parts, and components. (International Procurement Office: IPO), a business that plays a significant role in elevating Thailand as a regional trade and investment hub.
3. Computer services businesses, such as software/platform development, etc., which align with the goals of the Digital Economy and AI Services.
Director-General Poonpong added that for foreign investment in the EEC area during the first four months of 2026 (January - April), there were 134 foreign investors interested in investing in the EEC area, representing 31% of the total number of foreign investors in Thailand. This is an increase of 26 investors (24%) from 2025 (January - April 2026: 134 investors / January - April 2025: 108 investors). The value of investment in the EEC area is 49,957 million baht, representing 39% of the total investment. The investors are from *China (43 companies, investing 21,095 million baht), *Japan (22 companies, investing 7,042 million baht), *Singapore (19 companies, investing 7,940 million baht), and 50 other countries (investing 13,880 million baht). The businesses invested in include:
- Aircraft Nacelle and Nacelle component repair and maintenance for military aircraft
; - Metal coating and high-tech metal coating services
; - Repair and maintenance services for telecommunications equipment and fiber optic systems
; - Contract manufacturing services for products such as solar panels, machinery parts, and audio-visual products, etc.
Specifically in April 2026, 91 foreign nationals were granted permission to conduct business in Thailand. Of these, 20 investments were made through the formal application for foreign business licenses, and 71 through applications for foreign business certificates (via investment promotion laws, permits under the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand laws, or rights under international treaties or agreements). The total investment amounted to 31,553 million baht. The majority of investors were from the United States, Singapore, and China, in that order. These investors created 323 jobs for Thai citizens. Furthermore, there was a direct transfer of specialized technological knowledge from the investing countries to Thai citizens, such as knowledge of printed circuit board manufacturing processes, electricity cost and return analysis, and compressed air systems.
The businesses that foreigners are permitted to operate in April 2026 include:
* Hotels
; * Wholesale businesses such as pharmaceutical products for human treatment, materials and chemicals used for welding in various industries, and petrochemical products used for plastic product manufacturing, etc.;
* Energy management services, such as the installation and management of chilled water systems
; * Contract manufacturing services, such as metal stamping molds, plastic parts for industry, and cooling equipment for vehicles, etc.
#SuperDBD #DepartmentofBusinessDevelopment #MinistryofCommerce
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Source: Foreign Business Administration Division, Department of Business Development, Issue No. 236 / May 22, 2026.
https://www.dbd.go.th/en/news/23622052569
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