Foreign Investment/headquarter openings

Editorial staff

More foreign investors are expected to establish their headquarters in Thailand, thanks to the government policy to promote foreign investment with more privilege offering, and active property market.

Government spokesman Chai Watcharonke said that the property market in Thailand is becoming more active following the supportive measures launched by the government. And the latest move is to attract more foreign investors to set up their headquarters here, considered as a mechanism not only to energize the property market, but also promote the continued investment in the country.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft

“It aims to maximize the country's potential in various dimensions to promote investment, along with measures introduced to back up. What we’ve done will help fulfill Thailand to become a haven for international headquarters and trading office openings.”

He said the office market situation showed that there are more foreign customers to give interest in office openings here. IWG, a provider of flexible office space for rent (flexible workspace), carried out a survey and found that there is a growing demand among foreign investors to set up their regional headquarters in Thailand.

Multinational companies see Thailand's potential and advantages for international headquarters openings because the country offers a friendly workplace environment for employees, labor quality, and an appropriate minimum wage rate. English ability, digital skills of Thai personnel, and the affordable cost of living are also positive factors to promote Thailand as a country of headquarters of foreign investors.

More flexible conditions are beneficial to tenants, especially offering more short-term rental agreements and different kinds of workplace like co-working space. An office design is also accepted to meet the need of working life.

Mr Chai added the government’s attempt is paying off. The establishment of Microsoft's first regional data center in Thailand and the announcement of readiness to jointly develop AI potential with Thailand and the region is for example. It is a significant step for Thailand in this business and hopes the foreign investors will follow the trend and choose Thailand as a destination for their headquarter openings.

Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft

The Board of Investment has approved privileges to Data Centers in Thailand such as Next DC Company Limited, a major Australian Data Center service provider, CTRLS Company, Data Center (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a major Data Center service provider from India.

The government is ready to cooperate with foreign investors who have interest in setting up offices in Thailand. At present, the government has offered several measures with privileges to attract foreign investment, such as long-term residence visas (Long-term Resident Visa) and improved visa and work permit service centers (One Stop Service), and corporate income tax exemption for manufacturing and international business center (IBC)

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin

“The prime minister believes that Thailand's readiness and potential are factors to lead foreign investors to choose our country as their office location. He also viewed that Thailand as destination for office openings among foreign businessmen is a golden opportunity for the country to further attract large foreign companies, especially new targeted industries that will help upgrade the national economy in long term.” Mr Chai said.