BANGKOK, February 29, 2025 — Thailand is seeing a surge in foreign investment, hitting a five-year high of THB 324.1 billion across 1,078 approved projects in 2025. This influx signals strong confidence in Thailand’s economic stability and its growing role as a key production hub and market in the region.
Foreign Investment Soars to Five-Year High in Thailand
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A record THB 324.1 billion in foreign investment demonstrates Thailand’s appeal to global businesses.
- Foreign investment in Thailand reached THB 324.1 billion in 2025, the highest in five years.
- Japan, Singapore, and China were the top three sources of investment.
- The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) continues to attract significant investment.
- The Board of Investment (BOI) approved nearly half of all projects, focusing on future industries.
Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, Director-General of the Department of Business Development (DBD), described the 2025 performance as a record for the 2021-2025 period. The figures represent a substantial jump from THB 228 billion in 2024 and a considerable increase compared to the THB 82.8 billion recorded in 2021.
Of the 1,078 approvals, 291 were for foreign business licenses and 787 were for foreign business certificates. These certificates cover projects promoted under investment promotion laws, approvals from the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, and those leveraging rights under treaties or international agreements.
Who’s Betting on Thailand?
Japan led the pack with 186 approvals (17%) totaling THB 85,688 million. Investments focused on engineering and technical services – including automotive parts design and production process consulting – as well as modern distribution centers, software development, and contract manufacturing of machinery, vehicle parts, and electrical appliances.
Singapore followed closely with 167 approvals (15%) and THB 103,399 million invested. Key areas included hotels, data centers and data hosting, EV charging station services, and contract manufacturing of metal products, printed circuit boards, and plastic parts.
China secured 152 approvals (14%) with an investment of THB 35,046 million. Investments centered on wood processing for activated carbon, engineering/procurement/construction for wind-power infrastructure, scientific testing services, and contract manufacturing of plastic parts, electronics, and smart electrical appliances.
The United States contributed 148 approvals (14%) amounting to THB 5,073 million, with investments in retail (electronics, machinery, dietary supplements), advertising, software platform design/development, and contract manufacturing of precious-metal jewelry and automotive electronic components.
Rounding out the top five, Hong Kong accounted for 113 approvals (10%) and THB 14,869 million invested, focusing on engineering services for wind-power systems, Type 1 telecommunications services, data centers, and contract manufacturing of plastic compounds and electronic components.
BOI Drives Investment in Future Industries
The Board of Investment (BOI) played a pivotal role, approving 527 cases (49% of the total) valued at THB 241,869 million. This aligns with the government’s strategy to attract investment in advanced technology, digital and AI, electric vehicles, clean energy, and agri-food.
Leading BOI-approved business categories included contract manufacturing services for metal/plastic products and automotive parts, supporting higher value-added production; trade and investment support services (TISO), reinforcing Thailand’s position as a regional hub; and computer-related services, including software development and data centers, bolstering the digital economy and AI services.
Eastern Economic Corridor Remains a Magnet
The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) continued to be a major draw for foreign investors in 2025, attracting 313 investors (29% of the total), a 4% increase from 2024. These investments in the EEC provinces totaled THB 106,461 million, representing 33% of the total foreign investment value.
China led investment in the EEC with 83 cases (THB 19,263 million), followed by Japan with 67 cases (THB 33,840 million) and Singapore with 46 cases (THB 23,238 million). Investments in the EEC covered diverse fields such as automotive parts design, product R&D, digital services platform development, data centers, and contract manufacturing for electronics, synthetic rubber, metal products, and vehicle parts.
