Foreign Investment in Thailand Up 7% to 271 Billion Baht
Foreign investment in Thailand grew 7 percent in the first nine months of 2026, reaching 271.176 billion baht with 971 approved projects. Singapore topped the list of source countries, followed by Japan, China, Hong Kong and the United States. The inflow supported the creation of over 6,100 jobs for Thai workers and boosted activity in the Eastern Economic Corridor.
The Department of Business Development reported that foreign investment under the Foreign Business Act totaled 971 licenses, with combined capital of 271.176 billion baht. Singaporean investors contributed the largest share, primarily through franchising services for food and beverage outlets, while Japanese and Chinese investments focused on electronics design and modern logistics centers, respectively. Hong Kong and the United States also ranked among the top five, investing in petroleum exploration and engineering services. Investment promoted by the Board of Investment accounted for 494 projects worth 201.352 billion baht, largely supporting manufacturing, trade, software and data‑center activities. In the Eastern Economic Corridor, foreign participation rose 36 percent to 302 projects, with China leading at 36.775 billion baht, followed by Japan and Hong Kong, and the approvals generated 6,134 jobs for Thai workers, a 20 percent increase over the previous year.
