Anutin invites UK investors into Thailand’s AI, health and clean-energy sectors

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has presented Thailand as a base for investment in artificial intelligence, healthcare, data centres and clean energy during meetings with British government and business representatives in London.

Government spokesman Ekkapob Pianpises said on Saturday (September 26) that Anutin’s programme in the United Kingdom included meetings with Matt Western MP, the UK Trade Envoy to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, as well as representatives of Virgin Atlantic, Rolls-Royce and leading institutional investors. The capital-market programme was organised with the Stock Exchange of Thailand and UBS.

Anutin, who is also Interior Minister, also addressed a reception attended by more than 50 representatives of the British public and private sectors.

Thailand and UK mark long-standing ties

Anutin noted that Thailand and the United Kingdom marked the 170th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025, with ties extending across the royal families, governments and people of both countries.

He said the two countries shared support for multilateral trade, free trade and international rules and principles.

Turning to investment, Anutin highlighted Thailand’s efforts to conclude more free trade agreements and advance its accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which he said would help strengthen the country’s business environment.

Thailand is currently in the technical phase of the OECD accession process, after submitting its Initial Memorandum in December 2025. The OECD opened accession discussions with Thailand in 2024.

Anutin also pointed to stronger investment activity. Board of Investment data show that total investment-promotion applications rose 37% year on year in the first half of 2026, reaching about US$43.6 billion, with digital infrastructure and AI data centres among the principal drivers.

Aviation and tourism cooperation

Anutin said Thai companies had also invested in the UK, while British investors remained active in Thailand’s capital market.

He highlighted Virgin Atlantic’s planned direct London Heathrow-Phuket service and its cooperation with tourism partners as another opportunity to bring more British visitors to Thailand.

Virgin Atlantic is scheduled to launch the seasonal non-stop route on October 18, 2026, operating three times a week.

During discussions with Rolls-Royce, company executives expressed appreciation for government support for investment and technological cooperation aimed at moving Thailand’s aviation industry towards higher-value activities, according to the government account.

Anutin told the British business representatives that investing in Thailand also offered access to the wider ASEAN market, with a population of more than 700 million.

Clean energy, SMRs and data centres

The prime minister also promoted Thailand’s energy-security and clean-energy policies, including greater use of solar and wind power and studies on the possible deployment of small modular nuclear reactors, or SMRs.

He said the government was supporting a transition away from fossil fuels towards cleaner energy in both industry and households, including schemes enabling households to sell surplus electricity back to the grid.

Future industries including AI and healthcare were also highlighted as areas where Thailand wanted more investment.

On data centres, the government has established a national policy committee to develop standards and ensure projects are assessed against factors including energy and water use, environmental effects, AI development and benefits to the domestic economy.

Anutin also highlighted investment in human capital, including low-interest student loans and measures intended to develop a more highly skilled workforce for future industries.

Anutin cites policy continuity in investor pitch

The prime minister encouraged British companies, institutional investors and financial groups to increase trade and investment in Thailand, arguing that bilateral economic ties remained below their potential.

He cited government stability and policy continuity as advantages for investors, while pointing to policies including the crackdown on online scam networks and other forms of illicit business activity.

Anutin also referred to Thailand’s recent sovereign-rating outlook changes. Fitch Ratings revised Thailand’s outlook from Negative to Stable on September 18 while maintaining its BBB+ rating, bringing it into line with the Stable outlooks held by Moody’s and S&P Global Ratings.

The London meetings formed the final leg of Anutin’s September 20-27 overseas trip, which also included Japan and New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly and investor roadshows.