Commerce Ministry identifies 10 ‘rising star’ business types for 2026
Department of Business Development says Thailand’s 2026 growth will be shaped by digital adoption, lifestyle shifts and healthcare demand, highlighting sectors where investment is rising even as new registrations slow in some categories.
- Thailand's Commerce Ministry has identified 10 "rising star" business types for 2026, categorized into three main groups: digital, lifestyle, and health-related.
- The selection is driven by major trends including the shift to digital consumer behavior, an ageing society, technological transitions, and changing lifestyles.
- The digital category includes four business types: online retail/e-commerce, digital services, electronics manufacturing, and digital finance such as virtual banks.
- The lifestyle group covers five areas including cosmetics, pet products, and film production, while the health-related sector focuses on pharmaceuticals and hospitals.
Thailand’s economic momentum in 2026 is expected to be driven by businesses aligned with digital-era consumer behaviour, an ageing society, technological transition and rapidly shifting lifestyles, according to Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, Director-General of the Department of Business Development (DBD) under the Ministry of Commerce.
Poonpong said the DBD analysed juristic person registrations and business performance in 2025 and ranked three “rising star” business groups, covering 10 business types, with strong growth potential in 2026: digital, lifestyle, and health-related businesses.
Digital businesses (four business types)
1. Online retail/e-commerce
The DBD described e-commerce as a key foundation of the digital economy and a growing income channel for small entrepreneurs.
In January–November 2025, Thailand recorded 1,702 newly registered juristic persons in this category, down 269 (13.6%) from 1,971 in the same period of 2024.
However, new registered capital totalled THB7.204 billion, up THB4.524 billion(169%) year on year.
Poonpong said fewer new registrations but sharply higher investment suggest more high-potential entrants, alongside continued expansion of social commerce and live streaming.
2. Digital services
This category includes four sub-types: hosting, e-marketplace services, web portals, and data management/processing.
The DBD said a surge in registrations reflects the sector’s growing role as digital-economy infrastructure.
In January–November 2025, there were 318 new registrations, up 117 (58.21%) from 201 a year earlier. Registered capital rose to THB3.915 billion, up THB1.096 billion (38.88%).
3. Electronics-related manufacturing
The DBD grouped this into two sub-types: manufacturing electronic components, and manufacturing capacitors and resistors for electronic circuits—seen as key suppliers for fast-growing tech products such as EVs, 5G/6G communications, and small IoT devices.
In January–November 2025, new juristic person registrations totalled 178, down 19 (9.64%) from 197 a year earlier, while registered capital climbed to THB7.46 billion, up THB4.417 billion (145.18%).
4. Finance and investment (commercial banks and virtual banks)
Poonpong said rapid consumer migration to digital channels is forcing banks to adapt to stay competitive, including via branchless “virtual bank” models.
In January–November 2025, there were two newly registered entities in the virtual bank segment, with registered capital of THB550 million.
The DBD also reported that in 2024, the sector’s total revenue stood at THB1,186.622 billion, up 7.21% from 2023.
Lifestyle businesses (five business types)
Poonpong said lifestyle businesses are increasingly shaped by consumers seeking experiences, emotions and identity-led choices.
1. Wholesale and retail cosmetics
Backed by health-and-beauty trends and rising online purchasing through social commerce, the DBD said the cosmetics trade has shown strong potential despite broader economic conditions.
In January–November 2025, new registrations reached 1,457, up 246 (20.3%) from 1,211 a year earlier.
Registered capital rose to THB2.23 billion, up THB364 million (19.5%).
In 2024, the category recorded total revenue of THB195.692 billion, up THB24.768 billion (14.5%) from 2023.
2. Interior design, wood products and wooden furniture
This group covers three sub-types: interior design and decoration, veneer/wood products manufacturing, and wooden furniture manufacturing.
The DBD said businesses are shifting towards more design-led products to meet changing demand, while still facing headwinds from volatility in US import tariff adjustments, given that the US is Thailand’s top furniture export market.
The DBD noted that overall Thai furniture exports in 2025 still expanded by 9.3%, supported by front-loading as trading partners accelerated imports to build inventories before tariff measures took effect.
In January–November 2025, new registrations totalled 555, up 54 (10.8%) from 501 a year earlier, while registered capital increased to THB964 million, up THB112 million (13.2%).
In 2024, total revenue was THB144.856 billion, up THB17.981 billion(14.2%) from 2023.
3. Pet-related products
Split into pet food manufacturing and pet retail and accessories, the sector is benefiting from “pets as family” behaviour and rising demand for premium goods.
In January–November 2025, registrations rose to 214, up 33 (18.2%) from 181 a year earlier.
Registered capital increased to THB392 million, up THB127 million (48%).
In 2024, total revenue reached THB101.133 billion, up THB12.555 billion (14.2%) from 2023.
4. Non-alcoholic beverages and lifestyle drinks
This group includes non-alcoholic beverages, high-energy drinks, and lifestyle drinks.
The DBD said the category has become a barometer of modern purchasing power, reflecting health-focused demand and specialised product innovation.
In January–November 2025, new registrations fell to 153, down 73 (32.30%) from 226 a year earlier.
But registered capital jumped to THB11.32111 billion, up from THB532 millionin the same period of 2024, an increase of 21.28 times.
In 2024, total revenue was THB105.692 billion, up THB4.032 billion (3.97%) from 2023.
5. Film production
Poonpong said Thailand’s soft power push is supporting content exports, particularly Boys’ Love/Girls’ Love (BL/GL) series that can generate added value through licensing and fan-meeting activities.
In January–November 2025, new registrations totalled 138, down one (0.7%) from 139 a year earlier.
Registered capital fell to THB189 million, down THB204 million (51.9%) year on year.
In 2024, total revenue was THB13.411 billion, down THB188 million (1.4%) from 2023, but net profit rose sharply to THB474 million, up THB238 million (100.3%) from THB236 million in 2023.
Health-related businesses (one business type)
The DBD said businesses tied to healthcare and pharmaceuticals will support Thailand’s ambitions to be a global medical hub while meeting rising demand from an ageing society.
The group comprises three sub-types: wholesale/retail pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, hospitals, and specialised hospitals.
It projected total spending by older people could reach THB2.2 trillion in 2029, driven by demand from wealthier seniors and the adoption of Caretech, including AI and IoT, to strengthen confidence and service standards, attract foreign customers and support Thailand’s positioning as a retirement destination.
In January–November 2025, the sector recorded 1,648 new registrations, up 179 (12.2%) from 1,469 a year earlier.
Registered capital totalled THB3.48 billion, down THB2.818 billion (44.7%) year on year.
In 2024, total revenue stood at THB1,103.906 billion, up THB70.937 billion (6.9%) from 2023.
Poonpong said the “rising star” list reflects how Thailand’s economic structure is shifting towards innovation and technology while responding to consumer lifestyle demand, adding that the data should help entrepreneurs and investors plan and stay aligned with future trends.
