Thailand has been and continues to be one of the most successful countries in the region for attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), due to its numerous advantages for foreign investors seeking to do business in Asia. It provides an attractive business climate which has consistently received decades of support for private investment from successive Thai governments, all of which have realized the important role of the private sector in creating and maintaining Thailand's economic growth and prosperity along with its technological development.

In particular, the Thai government's extremely positive stance toward foreign investors means that, unless the special incentives offered by the Board of Investment (BOI) are being applied for, no prior government approval is necessary for making investments in Thailand, and most sectors of the economy are open to foreign investors. Thailand continues to improve its attractiveness for FDI through many government initiatives which seek to make the country more accessible to those seeking to expand their presence in Asia while at the same time reducing the amount of “red tape” required for beginning or expanding such business activities. This has resulted in a steady improvement in the country's overall rankings as published by independent observers, some of which are highlighted here.

When asked to choose the Thailand's top 5 attractiveness indicators for the IMD's World Competitiveness Executive Opinion Survey, Thailand's business friendly environment consistently was given as the first and most important factor. The other factors listed as most favorable included a dynamic economy, open and positive attitudes, a reliable infrastructure, and competitive costs. For 2021, the capital city of Bangkok was rated as the number one destination for a “workation” in a global survey made by the German based vacation search engine company Holidu, where users voted for the location where they would most prefer to go to mix business with pleasure while working remotely from a holiday destination abroad. The Thai capital was ranked first thanks to its affordable cost of living, high degree of English-language proficiency, range of attractions, wealth of world-class facilities, and numerous multinational corporate offices. Two other Thai cities also made it into the global top ten, Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand, and Phuket in the south.

With a land area of 513,000 square kilometers, and a population of 66.19 million, Thailand's GDP in 2022 was US$495.2 billion, with a GDP per capita of US$7,089.7, showing a real GDP growth of 2.6%. Consumer price inflation was 6.1%. The unemployment rate was 1.2% with a labor force of 40.14 million (2022 data). The current account balance of the country amounted to a negative 3.4% of its GDP in 2022. According to the UNCTAD's 2022 World Investment Report, the inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) had reached a total of US$11.42 billion in 2021.

Thailand's position at No. 29 on the 2023 edition of the U.S. News & World Report's Best Countries among 85 participating countries worldwide, with high rankings in Adventure (#5), Movers (#8), Open for Business (#9), and Heritage (#9) categories, showcases its potential as a leading global destination for investment opportunities. With a strong economic growth rate, increasing global influence, and commitment to innovation, Thailand has become an attractive location for investors seeking new opportunities. Additionally, Thailand ranks an impressive 2^nd in the Start a Business category and 18^th in the Best Countries for a Comfortable Retirement category on the US News & World Report's chart of Best Countries. These impressive rankings serve as evidence of Thailand's business-friendly environment and affordable cost of living, underscoring its status as an ideal destination for both entrepreneurs and retirees.

In the 2023 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, Thailand secured the 30th position among 64 economies. Its robust Economic Performance at 16^th, efficient Government at 24^th, and focus on Business Efficiency at 23^rd contribute to its competitiveness. Although Infrastructure ranks at 43^rd, Thailand's overall performance showcases its potential as a promising destination for business and a high quality of life.

Thailand is the largest automotive exporter among Southeast Asian countries. It is also ranked the second largest Hard Disk Drive (HDD) producer in the world. For biodiesel production, Thailand ranks the 5th of the largest producer in the world and the 1^st in ASEAN. Meanwhile, Johns Hopkins University has ranked Thailand as the country with the 5th best health security in the world and the 1^st in Asia in the 2021 Global Health Security Index.

Thailand's government is committed to advancing digital infrastructure development as part of its Industry 4.0 economic model. This transformative approach aims to establish Thailand as a "Value-based Innovation Driven Economy" by embracing cutting-edge technologies and digital transformation. Recognizing the significance of Industry 4.0 in driving economic growth and competitiveness, the government is actively promoting initiatives to modernize industries and enhance productivity through automation, robotics, and data analytics.

According to recent research conducted by ETHRWorld, Bangkok, Thailand has been ranked as the second-best place in the world to be a digital nomad in 2023. This recognition highlights Bangkok's appeal as a thriving destination for remote workers and digital entrepreneurs. With its vibrant cityscape, rich cultural heritage, and excellent digital infrastructure, Bangkok offers an ideal environment for those seeking a combination of professional opportunities and a high quality of life. The city's innovative coworking spaces, reliable internet connectivity, and diverse culinary and entertainment options contribute to its reputation as an attractive hub for digital nomads from around the globe. Read more here.

According to CEOWORLD's 2021 survey of 89 countries worldwide, Thailand's healthcare was ranked thirteen best in the world, beating out many renowned European countries like Norway, Germany and Switzerland as well as most other Asian countries except for South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. The survey evaluates a country's healthcare infrastructure, professional staff competency, cost, medicine availability, and government readiness, resulting in a score of 59.52 on the Health Care Index for Thailand. This high ranking is a testament to Thailand's robust healthcare system, highly skilled healthcare professionals, affordable healthcare costs, and effective government management of healthcare services.

A recent report of research by John Hopkins University also ranked Thailand sixth best among 195 countries providing the strongest health security, as was reported at the Global Health Security Agenda Steering Group Meeting in November of 2019. Thailand was the only developing country ranked among the global top ten, and the first among Asian countries, scoring a total of 73.2 points out of 100. Supporting Thailand's medical profession across the country are 23 accredited institutions providing medical instruction; while there is a reported average of 29.3 health workers per 10,000 population nationwide, according to the World Health Organization. With ASEAN's focus on enhancing intra-regional worker mobility, the size of the medical workforce is expected to further increase as professionals in the medical industry, including nurses, dental practitioners and medical practitioners, mobilize more freely within the ASEAN community. In addition to Thailand’s quality medical schools, the country also emphasizes research, development, and innovation through various governmental institutions, such as BIOTEC, the National Innovation Agency, and the Thailand Science Park. Read the "Thailand - Becoming the Medical Hub of Asia" article.

In 2019, Thailand was ranked 12^th worldwide for all agricultural output. It was the 4^th largest producer of sugar and the 6^th largest producer of rice globally. It was the top ranked producer of natural and synthetic rubber worldwide. Much of this production was ultimately exported. Based on statistics provided by the World Bank, Thailand attained the top position in the global market for cassava, canned tuna, and canned pineapple exports in 2021. Additionally, Thailand secured the second rank in rice exports and was placed third in sugar exports. There were approximately 9,000 food processing companies in Thailand, whose total contribution account for roughly 52% of Thailand's total food exports, and nearly 15% of Thailand's manufacturing output. As one of the largest net food exporting countries in the world. Thailand reached a record value of US$38.77 billion in food exports in 2022.

Year on year, Thailand's rankings have improved in many areas. Its trade surplus as a percentage of GDP was ranked 25^th globally, and its current account surplus earned it a 13^th place ranking. Its ranking was 12^th largest for agricultural output, while Thailand's manufacturing output was ranked 18^th worldwide. It was ranked the world's 25^th largest exporter. Industrial output qualified Thailand for a 21^st place ranking. Overall, Thailand's economy was ranked 24^th in size, and 26^th for services output. Despite world-wide economic headwinds, Thailand's economy has continued to move forward, with application requests for new factory openings totaling 2,612, creating new employment opportunities for almost 82,000 workers in 2021 according to the Industry Ministry.

Exchange rate: US$ = Baht35.06 in 2022

Source: The National Economic and Social Development Council, U.S. News & World Report, CEOWORLD Magazine, World Integrated Trade Solution, The National Food Institute, นโยบายการพัฒนาอุตสาหกรรมไทย 4.0 , Thailand 4.0, The best places to be a 'Digital Nomad' in 2023: Research

As of June 29^th, 2023