On 25 February 2026, at the Automation Expo, the forum titled “Hundreds of Billions in FDI: What Should Thailand Gain?” brought together key stakeholders from across Thailand’s industrial ecosystem to exchange perspectives on how the country can maximize the long-term benefits of large-scale foreign direct investment (FDI).
The session featured distinguished speakers from both the public and private sectors, including Mr. Supakit Boonsiri, Director of the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE); Mr. Phutana Daoruang, General Manager of the Thailand Printed Circuit Association (THPCA); Mr. Siamnat Panassorn, Vice President for Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion at the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT); and Asst. Prof. Dr. Wimon Saenum, Executive Director for Commercial Research and Innovation Business at Panus Assembly Co., Ltd. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Prachaya Inthranupakorn, Director of the Thai-German Institute (TGI).
The forum provided a valuable platform to discuss how Thailand can move beyond simply attracting foreign investment, and instead ensure that incoming FDI translates into meaningful and sustainable value for the domestic economy. Key themes included the need to strengthen local supply chains, expand domestic manufacturing capabilities, and develop a skilled workforce capable of supporting advanced production technologies.
Speakers also emphasized the importance of deeper collaboration between industry, academia, and government to accelerate technology adoption, strengthen innovation capacity, and enhance Thailand’s ability to support high-value industries. The discussion highlighted that future competitiveness will depend on Thailand’s readiness to respond to global industrial shifts, particularly in sectors such as electronics, electric vehicles, and advanced manufacturing.
The forum concluded with a shared message that the true success of FDI should not be measured solely by the scale of investment, but by Thailand’s ability to transform investment opportunities into long-term industrial capability, technology advancement, and sustainable economic competitiveness.
