Singapore and Japan lead the way! Foreign investment exceeds 270 billion baht.

Key Highlights

• Foreign investment in Thailand during the first 10 months of 2025 (January–October) totaled 869 projects, with a combined value of over 276,736 million baht, representing a 72% growth compared to the previous year.
• Japan has the highest number of companies investing in the country (158).
• Singapore has the highest investment value (92,318 million baht).
• The majority of investment is concentrated in industries that Thailand aims to promote, such as automotive, auto parts, software, digital, and advanced technology. Overview of foreign investment in Thailand (first 10 months of 2025).

Between January and October 2025, a total of 869 foreigners were granted permission to conduct business in Thailand, broken down as follows:

• Channels for foreign business licenses: 228.
• Channels for issuing certificates for foreign business operations: 641 applications.
  Total investment value: 276,736 million baht. Top 5 countries investing the most: 1) Japan – 158 investors (18%), value 78,285 million baht.

The main businesses in which we invest include:

• Engineering and technical services for the automotive industry.
• Telematics system for vehicle management.
• Research and development of products for mothers and children.
• Contract manufacturing of automotive parts, electrical appliances, steel, and machinery. 2) United States – 127 businesses (15%), valued at 4,830 million baht.

Examples of businesses that have invested.

• Advertising business
• Design, install, develop, and maintain software systems.
• Research and develop food product formulas from plants, vegetables, and fruits.
• Contract manufacturing of jewelry, electronic components, and metal alloys. 3) Singapore – 126 businesses (14%), valued at 92,318 million baht.

Most businesses include:

• Wood processing factory
• Develop and provide software services.
• Install and maintain machinery.
• Contract manufacturing of metal parts, plastic products, medical devices, and air filters. 4) China – 116 companies (13%), value 25,404 million baht.

Businesses that have invested include:

• Processing wood to produce activated carbon.
• Develop software according to customer requirements.
• Testing electronic components and automotive equipment.
• Contract manufacturing of products such as natural rubber parts, FPCB, and molded metal parts. 5) Hong Kong – 93 businesses (11%), valued at 13,198 million baht.

Businesses that have attracted attention include:

• Processing wood to make furniture.
• Energy and surveying services.
• Develop a cybersecurity system.
• Contract manufacturing of batteries, plastic films, and audio-visual equipment. Growth compared to the previous year.

When compared to the same period in 2024, it was found that:

• The number of permit applications increased by 11%.
• Investment value increased by over 115,567 million baht (72% growth).
• Employment of Thai nationals increased to 5,364 people (+77%).

Japan remains the country with the most investors, just like last year.

Investment through investment promotion programs (BOI).

The majority of foreign investment came from projects that received BOI incentives, totaling 424 projects.

• 49% of the total number of permits.
• 210,101 million baht, or 76% of the total investment of the three business categories with the highest BOI approvals.

1. We offer contract manufacturing of products such as automotive parts, plastics, and metals.
2. The Trade and Investment Support Enterprise (TISO) strengthens Thailand’s role as a logistics and investment hub.
3. Computer services such as software development, data center services, and AI-related services; an overview of investment in the EEC area.

During the first 10 months of 2025, there were 253 investments in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), or 29% of the total.
The total investment value is 90,791 million baht, divided into:

• 65 cases from China – 17,882 million baht.
• Japan: 57 cases – 30,369 million baht
• Singapore, 35 cases – 20,106 million baht.
• 96 other countries – 22,434 million baht

Popular businesses in the EEC include:

• Processing wood to produce household parts.
• Automotive Component Engineering
• Develop digital platforms and data centers.
• We offer contract manufacturing services for products such as PCBA, plastic components, metal products, and chemicals. (Situation as of October 2025)

In October alone, 99 permits were granted, with a total investment value of 23,621 million baht.
The countries that invest the most are Singapore, China, and Japan.

An additional 232 Thai people will be employed, along with the transfer of specialized technology, such as:

• Automated fare collection system
• Information security standards
• The development of products for mothers and children, and the types of businesses licensed in October, include:
• Design, installation, and development of automated fare collection systems.
• Advertising business
• Business and technology consulting services.
• Enterprise software development
• We offer contract manufacturing of products such as PCBA, plastic components, recycled paper, and industrial machinery.

Source of information: Thansettakij (Economic Base)