Anutin urges global investors to ‘grow together’ with Thailand

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has urged global businesses and investors to view Thailand as a “Trusted Partner” for long-term investment, saying the country is shifting its economic strategy from competing mainly on costs towards skills, technology and future industries.

Anutin, who is also interior minister, made the investment pitch at a dinner reception co-hosted by the Finance Ministry and the World Economic Forum (WEF) during the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Bangkok.

Prime Minister’s Office spokesman Ekkaphop Phianphiset said the event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and senior figures from global financial institutions.

They included European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, European Investment Bank President Nadia Calviño, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development President Odile Renaud-Basso and Asian Development Bank President Masato Kanda.

Thailand seeks deeper global connections

Anutin said geopolitical and economic changes meant countries could no longer operate effectively in isolation.

Thailand’s hosting of the IMF–World Bank meetings therefore provided an opportunity to deepen its connections with the global economy, demonstrate its capabilities and strengthen confidence among international investors and businesses, he said.

The prime minister thanked Thai and international participants for coming to the country during the week of the annual meetings and used the occasion to set out Thailand’s economic direction and investment potential.

Moving beyond low-cost competition

Anutin said Thailand had traditionally attracted investors partly because of relatively competitive labour, living and utility costs.

However, relying on cost advantages alone could no longer deliver sustainable competitiveness.

Thailand therefore needs to upgrade workforce skills, develop personnel capable of supporting advanced industries and improve its technological readiness, including in artificial intelligence, to meet the changing requirements of businesses.

The government is seeking to position the country for higher-value industries rather than competing primarily as a lower-cost manufacturing location.

Infrastructure and ASEAN links support investment pitch

Anutin highlighted Thailand’s infrastructure, logistics networks and resources as strengths supporting its role as a regional investment base.

He also pointed to the country’s geographical position at the heart of Southeast Asia, providing businesses with links to ASEAN markets with a combined population of about 700 million.

Those connections could allow investors operating in Thailand to expand business networks and investment across the region, he said.

From subcontractor to ‘Trusted Partner’

The prime minister called on international companies to regard Thailand as more than a subcontractor or supplier within global supply chains.

Instead, he said, Thailand wanted to become a “Trusted Partner” that works with investors in planning, developing and creating new business opportunities.

Anutin said genuine partnerships should allow all sides to “Grow Together”, creating stable and sustainable cooperation over the long term.

Thailand remains open to cooperation with international partners and intends to combine its domestic strengths with those of the wider region to generate greater value from investment, he added.

The government hopes stronger partnerships can create economic opportunities benefiting investors, Thai businesses and the wider economy as the country adjusts to technological change and a more fragmented international environment.