Anutin calls for tech transfer on Oct 24 citing ASEAN market of over 700m people
Anutin promotes Thailand’s skilled workforce and transport links as attractions for foreign investors looking for a regional distribution base.
- On October 24, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul called for foreign investors to transfer technology to Thailand rather than using the country for cheap labor and simple assembly.
- He promoted Thailand as a strategic investment base for accessing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) market, which has a population of over 700 million.
- Anutin's pitch to investors highlighted Thailand's ready infrastructure, skilled workforce, and interconnected logistics as key advantages for profitable operations.
Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul called on foreign investors on October 24, 2026, to transfer technology to Thai people and help develop Thailand’s economy, rather than use the country simply for cheap labour and basic assembly. Anutin promoted Thailand as a base for reaching more than 700 million people in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Speaking on the programme “Talking with Anutin’s Cabinet”, Anutin said the government wanted to reshape foreign investors’ perceptions so Thailand’s potential was not overlooked. The investment pitch emphasised infrastructure and public utilities, workers with upgraded or newly acquired skills, and the potential for cost-effective, profitable operations.
Anutin puts technology transfer ahead of cheap assembly
Anutin said that, during overseas talks with foreign businesses, he had emphasised technology transfer and support for Thailand’s economy, rather than a pitch based simply on cheap labour, food, electricity or water.
“If you come only to hire Thai people to tighten screws and assemble products so they can be labelled ‘Made in Thailand’, without transferring any technology, you have come to the wrong place,” Anutin said of his message to foreign investors.
“But if you come because our infrastructure is ready and our people have the skills and knowledge to support your business, investing in Thailand can maximise your profits. Then you have come to the right place,” Anutin added, describing his pitch to foreign businesses.
Thailand’s transport links support Anutin’s ASEAN investment pitch
For foreign investors, Thailand offered an efficient distribution base reaching more than 700 million people in ASEAN, rather than only a domestic market of 70 million, Anutin argued. He likened the country’s interconnected logistics network to a spider’s web.
Thailand’s infrastructure and logistics readiness reflected 20 years of continuous investment, according to Anutin. The prime minister highlighted double-track and high-speed rail networks being extended towards Laos, southern China and Malaysia, as well as sea access on two sides of the country.
Thai economic cabinet channels business concerns to full Cabinet
Private-sector representatives are involved in Thailand’s economic cabinet, which Anutin described as a committee to upgrade the economy. The representatives provide advice and raise problems for referral to the full Cabinet, a process Anutin said helped reduce bureaucratic steps, remove business obstacles and speed up investors’ decisions.
Foreign direct investment in Thailand in the first half of 2026 was about 30% higher than the total for the whole of 2025, according to Anutin. The prime minister linked the increase to government efforts and described it as evidence of investors’ confidence in the country’s stability and readiness for investment.
