Investors from China and Hong Kong committed nearly $922 million to Thailand from January to August 2025, the Ministry of Commerce said.
Total foreign projects approved reached about $6.27 billion, up 125% from a year earlier.
Thailand’s Department of Business Development (DBD) said 687 foreign investors were cleared to operate in the period. Approvals came through 181 foreign business licenses and 506 foreign business certificates. These are Thai government permits that allow overseas companies to run businesses in the country.
China accounted for about $577 million across 87 companies. Projects included raw-material procurement, electric-vehicle (EV) repair and maintenance, contract manufacturing of automated machinery, and EV motors.
Hong Kong added about $344 million via 74 companies, focusing on petroleum drilling in the Gulf of Thailand, metal-cutting services, and non-network telecommunications services.
By capital, Japan led with about $2.0 billion across 125 companies, followed by Singapore at $1.9 billion across 93 companies.
The United States had 105 companies with $94 million in approvals. These covering hotel-booking brokerage, advertising, management consulting, and contract manufacturing of specialized EV parts.
EEC Pulls In $2.08 Billion, China, Japan, Singapore Lead
DBD Director-General Auramon Supthaweethum said roughly one-third of approved capital, about $2.08 billion, went to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), a government-backed industrial zone on Thailand’s eastern seaboard.
Within the EEC, China accounted for $413 million across 48 companies. Meanwhile, Japan spent $754 million across 47 companies, and Singapore spent $359 million across 21 companies.
The Department said recent projects involve technology transfer in petroleum drilling and maintenance of liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving stations. Projects also involve EV component processes and advanced warehouse management.
Hiring by licensed foreign investors reached 2,394 Thai workers, a 96% increase from the same period in 2024.
Over the same January–August period, Thailand recorded 59,189 new company registrations, and registered capital rose to about $5.40 billion, the ministry said.
