Thailand's Advantages

Gateway to Asia Thailand enjoys a strategic location and serves as a gateway into the heart of Asia - home to what is today the largest growing economic market.

    The country also offers convenient trade with China, India and the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and easy access into the Greater Mekong sub-region, where newly emerging markets offer great business potential.

Hub of ASEAN Thailand was one of the founding members of ASEAN and has been instrumental in the formation and development of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA). AFTA entered into force on 1 January 2010 for the six original ASEAN (ASEAN-6) members (Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, and Brunei) thereby reducing import duties to zero; the so-called CLMV countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) will follow suit in 2015.

    Thailand is ideally located at the crossroads of Asia, with easy access to the region's dynamic markets, including its own booming domestic consumer market of 65.12 million people. Thailand has long been a proponent of free and fair trade and its attractiveness as a production base for leading international companies is enhanced by a number of free trade agreements, and Thailand is certain to be a beneficiary of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which will enter into force at the start of 2016. (Source: Bank of Thailand)

Social and political stability Thailand is a foreigner friendly and welcoming Buddhist country. The country's form of government is a constitutional monarchy, with a high reverence for the Thai Monarchy, and devotion to the teachings of Buddhism. And although the vast majority of the people in Thailand are Buddhist, all religions are welcome, and His Majesty the King is the patron of all religions.

Growing economy Economically, this country of 65.12 million people is characterized by steady growth, strong exports and a vibrant domestic consumer market. Abundant natural resources and a skilled and cost-effective work force help attract foreign investors, and enable them to prosper and develop industry in Thailand. (Source: Bank of Thailand)

World-class infrastructure In addition to a growing highway system that now connects not only every province in Thailand, but also to neighboring countries of Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, Thailand also offers:
    - 7 international airports
    - Modern city-wide mass transit in Bangkok
    - 3G/WiFi and broadband access
    - 6 deep sea ports and 2 international river ports, including containers, tank farms and liquid jetties

    Thailand's development plans for 2012-2022 include a high speed rail network that will connect north, south, east and west of Thailand, as well as to southern China. The mass transit system in Bangkok is being expanded into the suburbs and air and marine transportation will be further strengthened to meet the pace of growing demand.

FDI policies The country's well-defined investment policies focus on liberalization and encourage free trade. Foreign investments, especially those that contribute to the development of skills, technology and innovation are actively promoted by the government. Thailand consistently ranks among the most attractive investment locations in international surveys, and the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business 2016 report places Thailand as the 49th easiest country in the world and the second-ranked emerging economy in Southeast Asia in which to do business.

    Likewise, the United Nations Conference on Trade and development (UNCTAD) ranks Thailand as the 8th most attractive host economy in the world for 2014-2016.

Government support and incentives Thailand Board of Investment offers investors a range of tax incentives, support services and import duty exemptions or reductions to activities that meet national development objectives. Companies receiving investment promotion privileges from the Board of Investment are not subject to foreign equity restrictions in the manufacturing sector, and there are no local content requirements nor export requirements, as Thailand's investment regime is in total compliance with WTO regulations.

    The Board of Investment also coordinates the activity of the One-Stop Service Center for Visas and Work Permits, which enables foreign staff of BOI-promoted companies to obtain work permits and long-term visas within three hours or less, and administers the One Start One Stop Investment Center to facilitate a full range of services and streamline investment procedures by bringing representatives from more than 20 government agencies under one roof.

    In addition to the activities of the BOI, other government organizations, such as the Department of Export Promotion and international chambers of commerce, provide invaluable support and a host of other important services.

Long-established and newly emerging industries With steady economic development and strong support industries, the country's industrial production has grown and diversified rapidly both in long-established and newly emerging industries.

    The government has identified 15 activities that are classified as activities of special importance and benefit to the country: Economic forest plantations (except for eucalyptus); Creative product design and development centers; Manufacture of airframes, airframe parts and major aircraft appliances, e.g. engines, aircraft parts, propellers and avionics; Electronic design; Software; Production of electricity or steam power from waste or refuse-derived fuel; Energy Service Companies (ESCO); Industrial zones or technology industrial zones; Cloud services; Research & Development; Biotechnology; Engineering design; Scientific laboratories; Calibration services; Vocational training centers.

    Projects in these activities will be granted corporate income tax exemption without being subject to a corporate income tax exemption cap.

Friendly and rich culture Thailand has gained a well-deserved reputation throughout the world for its gracious hospitality. The friendliness of its people and the diverse nature of Thai culture make visitors feel safe and at home in Thailand.

Education and healthcare services The education standards in Thailand are accepted by many international examining bodies, and a great number of international schools and colleges offer world-class education, while its universities are outstanding.

    In terms of healthcare, the country has developed an excellent reputation globally, due to its internationally-certified doctors and medical staff, and modern facilities and equipment. It is so good that one of the fastest-rising tourism sectors is medical tourism, with international patients visiting Thailand to take advantage of Thailand's world-class and extremely affordable health care system.

Last updated: November 2015