Investment privileges projected to reach Bt900 billion this year
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, April 12 – Foreign applications for investment privileges in Thailand reached Bt234 billion in the first quarter of the year, according to the Board of Investment (BoI).

Udom Wongviwatchai, BoI secretary general, said investors applied for 291 investment projects, a 48 per cent decline compared to the first quarter of last year, which involved 564 projects.

While the Bt234 billion investment value by foreign investors was 28 per cent higher, total investment value saw a 10 per cent decline from last year’s total value of Bt261.6 billion.

The majority of applicants were involved in automobiles and auto parts, petrochemical and power generation.

He said expansion potential was high in several industries, including auto & parts and machinery, of which investment value was Bt157 billion, 265 per cent higher than the same period last year thanks to the investors’ interest in producing eco cars in the second phase.

Other highly-invested industries were service and public utilities at Bt31.4 billion, petrochemical, pulp and plastic at Bt23.2 billion, and electronics and electrical appliances at Bt11.9 billion.

He said the projection of Bt900 billion in investment privileges this year will be achievable.

Besides eco cars, other major projects involved manufacturing of electrical appliances, power generating plants, petrochemical plants and steel industrial plants.

Investors from several countries invested more in Thailand this year including the US at Bt41.065 billion, China at Bt9.403 billion and Korea at Bt9.368 billion. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-04-12

This is not good news at all. Nearly half the amount of projects have been planned YOY, a terrible decline and a clear message that the situation in Thailand is putting off foreign investment. The value may be higher and therefore only a 10% decrease (if you believe these numbers) but that still means that less money is coming in and nearly half as many people/projects.

Also, I read very recently that foreign investment had been in sharp decline since the political crisis occurred, no real mention of that here, only that everything is ok and we are are on target.. Total spin as usual..

Yet, the Baht keeps getting stronger. Go figure....

Yet, the Baht keeps getting stronger. Go figure....

Not really. The baht is hovering around 32.3 against the US right now. This time last year it was around 28.

The Baht is not a big trading currency so most of the fluctuations people experience are more to do with their own currencies moving I think.

so it is a priviege to invest your money here and eventually lose all

so it is a priviege to invest your money here and eventually lose all

Thaivisa offers the privilege to post any unsubstantiated rubbish if that rubbish does not violate forum rules.

so it is a priviege to invest your money here and eventually lose all

The gains on the SET the last 12 months have been impressive but don't let a few facts get in your way.

This is not good news at all. Nearly half the amount of projects have been planned YOY, a terrible decline and a clear message that the situation in Thailand is putting off foreign investment. The value may be higher and therefore only a 10% decrease (if you believe these numbers) but that still means that less money is coming in and nearly half as many people/projects.

Also, I read very recently that foreign investment had been in sharp decline since the political crisis occurred, no real mention of that here, only that everything is ok and we are are on target.. Total spin as usual..

This is not a good comment at all. The numbers are down against planned expansion figures but net investment is not only up but that investment from key countries is up including the USA and China. Growth overall is not in decline, so trying to put he word 'terrible' in the spin is just a pitch for the doomsday crowd.