1) In 2022 (Jan-Mar), the total value of investment applications for promotion in Thailand amounted to 110.7 billion baht, representing a decrease of -6% year-on-year. The approved investments during the same period totaled 88.7 billion baht, down -11% year-on-year.

2) In 2022 (Jan-Mar), the total value of investment applications specifically from foreign projects was 77.3 billion baht, an increase of 29% year-on-year. Taiwan had the highest investment value at 37.1 billion baht, accounting for 48% of the total foreign investment (this included projects for automobile production, which significantly raised the investment figures from Taiwan compared to 21.8 billion baht for the entire year of 2021). Japan followed with an investment value of 13.8 billion baht, representing 18% of the total foreign investment.

3) In 2022 (Jan-Mar), the total value of investment applications for promotion from foreign projects in targeted industries was 60.3 billion baht. When categorized by targeted industry, the highest investment value was in the automotive and parts sector, totaling 41.6 billion baht, which accounted for 69% of the total investment in targeted industries. The electrical and electronics sector followed with an investment value of 9.6 billion baht, representing 16% of the total investment in targeted industries.

Monthly Accumulated Foreign Direct Investment Statistics for 2022 (January-March)

  • The statistics for foreign investment promotion applications in 2022 (Jan-Mar) show a total of 198 projects with an investment value of 77,290 million baht. Compared to 2021 (Jan-Mar), the number of projects increased by 13%, while the investment value rose by 29%.

  • The number of foreign projects applying for investment promotion accounted for 52% of the total applications (378 projects), with the direct foreign investment value representing 70% of the total investment value applied for promotion (110,730 million baht).

  • Most foreign projects applying for promotion from January to March 2022 were in the services and public utilities sector, totaling 55 projects, which accounted for 28% of all foreign projects applying for promotion. The metal products, machinery, and transport equipment sector followed with 51 projects, representing 26%.

  • In terms of investment value, the majority was in the metal products, machinery, and transport equipment sector, with a total value of 44,729 million baht, accounting for 58% of the total foreign investment applied for promotion. This was followed by the electrical and electronics sector with a total value of 9,848 million baht, representing 13%.

Foreign Projects Applying for Investment Promotion by Industry Type

  • Foreign projects applying for promotion included 164 expansion projects with an investment value of 65,473 million baht, while there were 34 new projects with a total value of 11,817 million baht.

Foreign Investment Promotion Applications by Project Type (% of Total Foreign Projects and Investment Value)

  • Among all foreign projects applying for investment promotion from January to March 2022, Japan had the highest number of applications with 45 projects, accounting for 23% of all foreign investment projects. The highest investment value came from Taiwan at 37,076 million baht, representing 48% of the total foreign investment applied for promotion.

Top 10 Sources of Foreign Investment Applications for Promotion

*Note: The investment projects from Taiwan for automobile production, which have high investment values, significantly increased the investment figures from Taiwan.

  • Foreign projects applying for promotion were located in various regions: Central region had 90 projects (20,502 million baht), Eastern region had 81 projects (53,924 million baht), Southern region had 8 projects (477 million baht), Northern region had 8 projects (129 million baht), Northeastern region had 6 projects (1,945 million baht), Western region had 4 projects (148 million baht), and others* had 1 project (165 million baht). *Note: Others refer to businesses without a fixed location, such as maritime transport and air transport.

  • Foreign projects aimed at exports of 80% or more totaled 50 projects, accounting for 25% of all foreign projects applying for promotion, with a total value of 10,904 million baht, representing 14% of the total foreign investment applied for promotion.

  • Foreign projects applying for promotion from January to March 2022 are expected to create 21,471 jobs for Thai workers.

Investment in Targeted Industries

  • Foreign projects applying for promotion in targeted industries from January to March 2022 totaled 108 projects with a total value of 60,347 million baht, accounting for 55% and 78% of all foreign projects applying for promotion, respectively.

  • In terms of the number of projects, the majority were applications in the automotive and parts industry, totaling 27 projects, accounting for 25% of all foreign projects applying for promotion in targeted industries. The electrical and electronics industry and the digital industry followed, each with 23 projects, accounting for 21%. In the electrical and electronics industry, most projects were for manufacturing components for other electronic products and smart appliances, while in the digital industry, most were for software development and platforms for digital services or digital content.

  • In terms of investment value, the majority was in the automotive and parts industry, with a total value of 41,579 million baht, accounting for 69% of the total investment applications from foreign projects in targeted industries. This was followed by the electrical and electronics industry, with a total value of 9,602 million baht, representing 16% of the total investment applications from foreign projects in targeted industries.

Investment Promotion Applications in Targeted Areas

In the investment promotion applications from foreign investors during January to March 2022, investments were made in areas that align with the investment promotion policy as follows:

  • Foreign projects in promoted industrial estates or zones had 70 applications with a total value of 22,921 million baht, mainly located in Chonburi and Rayong provinces.
  • Projects in the EEC area applying for promotion totaled 74 projects with a total value of 53,338 million baht, mainly in Rayong province.
  • Foreign projects in 20 provinces with low per capita income applying for promotion had 3 projects with a total value of 103 million baht, including:
    - Electricity or steam power generation from renewable energy located in Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Phanom, and Sa Kaeo provinces.


  • The statistics for foreign direct investment projects approved for promotion in 2022 (Jan-Mar) showed a total of 168 approved projects with an investment value of 69,596 million baht. Compared to 2021 (Jan-Mar) during the same period, the number of projects decreased by 19%, while the investment value increased by 11%.

  • The number of foreign projects approved for investment promotion accounted for 51% of the total number of approved projects (327 projects), while the investment value represented 78% of the total investment value approved (88,720 million baht).

  • The number of foreign projects approved for investment promotion from January to March 2022 was mostly in the services and public utilities sector, totaling 48 projects, accounting for 29% of all foreign projects approved. This was followed by the electrical and electronics sector with 46 projects, representing 27%.

  • In terms of investment value, the majority was in the electrical and electronics sector, with a total value of 20,401 million baht, accounting for 29% of the total foreign investment. High-value approved projects (with investments of 1 billion baht or more) included the production of Flexible Printed Circuit Boards and/or Multilayer Printed Circuit Boards valued at 3,838 million baht, the production of Hard Disk Drives and/or components (2 projects) valued at a total of 6,116 million baht, and the production of components for Optical Fiber and Wireless systems valued at 1,230 million baht, among others. The light industry followed with a total value of 18,796 million baht, accounting for 27%, with high-value approved projects including the production of specialty fibers valued at 14,794 million baht and the production of jewelry and ornaments or components, including raw materials and prototypes valued at 2,000 million baht.

  • From January to March 2022, there were large foreign projects approved for promotion (with investments of 1 billion baht or more), including the production of specialty fibers valued at 14,794 million baht, the production of Advanced or Nano Materials valued at 8,087 million baht, the production of Hard Disk Drives and/or components (2 projects) valued at a total of 6,116 million baht, the production of Flexible Printed Circuit Boards and/or Multilayer Printed Circuit Boards valued at 3,838 million baht, the production of electricity or steam power from other energy sources valued at 3,663 million baht, the production of chemical products for industry valued at 3,160 million baht, and the production of components for Optical Fiber and Wireless systems valued at 1,230 million baht, among others.

  • In terms of the number of approved foreign projects, the majority were expansion projects, totaling 130 projects with a total investment value of 61,901 million baht, while new projects totaled 38 projects with a total investment value of 7,695 million baht.

  • The sources of investment in approved foreign projects were mainly from Japan, accounting for 30% of the total foreign investment value, with most of the investment coming from large projects (with investments of 1 billion baht or more), such as the production of Advanced or Nano Materials valued at 8,087 million baht, the production of electricity valued at 3,663 million baht, and the production of Hard Disk Drives and/or components valued at 2,916 million baht, among others.
  • Following Japan was Austria, accounting for 21% of the total foreign investment value, with most of the investment coming from large projects (with investments of 1 billion baht or more), such as the production of specialty fibers valued at 14,794 million baht.
  • The third was China, accounting for 12% of the total foreign investment value, with most of the investment coming from large projects (with investments of 1 billion baht or more), such as the production of Flexible Printed Circuit Boards and/or Multilayer Printed Circuit Boards valued at 3,838 million baht.
  • In terms of the number of projects, Japan had the most approved projects, totaling 49 projects, or 29% of all foreign investment projects approved.

  • Approved foreign projects were located in the Central region with 80 projects (14,802 million baht), Eastern region with 61 projects (39,375 million baht), Northern region with 12 projects (11,297 million baht), Southern region with 8 projects (2,768 million baht), Western region with 4 projects (1,185 million baht), Northeastern region with 2 projects (6 million baht), and others* with 1 project (165 million baht). *Note: Others refer to businesses without a fixed location, such as maritime transport and air transport.

  • Foreign projects aimed at exports of 80% or more totaled 50 projects, with a total value of 46,867 million baht, accounting for 30% and 67% of all foreign projects approved, respectively.
  • Foreign projects approved during January to March 2022 are expected to create 18,977 jobs for Thai workers.

Investment in Targeted Industries

  • Foreign projects approved for investment promotion in targeted industries from January to March 2022 totaled 92 projects, accounting for 55% of all foreign projects approved for promotion, with a total value of 33,902 million baht, representing 49% of the total value of foreign projects approved for promotion.

  • In terms of the number of projects, the majority of foreign projects approved for promotion were in the electrical and electronics industry, totaling 32 projects, accounting for 35% of all foreign projects approved in targeted industries. This was followed by the agriculture and food processing industry with 16 projects, accounting for 17%.

  • In terms of investment value, the majority was in the electrical and electronics industry, with a total value of 20,095 million baht, accounting for 59% of the total value of foreign projects approved for promotion in targeted industries. This was followed by the agriculture and food processing industry, with a total value of 7,088 million baht, accounting for 21% of the total value of projects approved for promotion in targeted industries.

Approval of Investment Promotion in Targeted Areas

In the approval of foreign investment promotion from January to March 2022, investments were made in areas that align with government policy as follows:

  • Foreign projects in promoted industrial estates or zones totaled 68 projects with a total value of 50,433 million baht, mainly located in the Eastern region, particularly in Rayong and Chonburi provinces.
  • Projects in the EEC area approved for promotion totaled 52 projects with a total value of 23,576 million baht, including:
    - Chonburi province with 27 projects valued at 7,963 million baht.
    - Rayong province with 17 projects valued at 11,108 million baht.
    - Chachoengsao province with 8 projects valued at 4,506 million baht.
  • Foreign projects in 20 provinces with low per capita income approved for promotion had 1 project with an investment value of 2 million baht, including:
    - Enterprise Software and/or Digital Content development located in Si Sa Ket province.

Benefits of Approved Foreign Projects for Investment Promotion in 2022 (January-March)

  • Approved foreign projects are expected to generate export revenues of approximately 238,571 million baht per year, with the majority of export value coming from the electrical and electronics sector, valued at approximately 169,890 million baht, accounting for 71% of the total export revenue from all approved foreign projects. The light industry followed with an export value of approximately 28,102 million baht, or 12%.
  • Approved foreign projects are expected to use domestic raw materials valued at approximately 73,469 million baht per year, with projects in the electrical and electronics sector using the most domestic raw materials, valued at approximately 29,061 million baht, or 40% of the total domestic raw material value of all approved foreign projects. This was followed by the agriculture and agricultural products sector, valued at approximately 16,446 million baht, or 22%.
  • Foreign projects approved during January to March 2022 are expected to create approximately 18,977 jobs for Thai workers, with the highest number of jobs expected in the electrical and electronics sector, approximately 8,830 positions, accounting for 47% of the total jobs created by all approved foreign projects. This was followed by the light industry, with approximately 5,673 positions, accounting for 30%.

Data as of April 8, 2022

Foreign Investment Cooperation Division

Note:

1) The statistics in this report reflect data on foreign investment projects (with foreign ownership of 10% or more).

2) The statistics from the office cover only projects that have applied for investment promotion and have been approved for promotion by the office, not the overall foreign investment statistics for the country.

3) The data in the net application stage indicates the intention to invest as a trend indicator for FDI.

4) The statistics in the net application stage refer to applications in each year after deducting projects that have withdrawn applications up to the processing date.

5) As of January 31, 2020, the European Union consists of 27 countries due to the United Kingdom's official withdrawal.