Thailand Focus 2026 spotlights digital and New Economy investment

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is using Thailand Focus 2026 to attract global institutional capital into the country’s New Economy and digital sectors, as improving market performance and foreign inflows strengthen investor interest.

Asadej Kongsiri, president of the SET, described Thailand Focus as a global flagship event that allows institutional investors from around the world to gain first-hand insight into the changing direction of Thailand’s economy and capital market.

This year, 77 Thai listed companies are participating in one-to-one and small-group meetings with institutional investors, presenting their business strategies, performance and growth potential.

To mark the 20th anniversary of Thailand Focus, the SET also organised a meeting of senior executives from regional stock exchanges to develop networks and promote sustainable, long-term cooperation.

Foreign inflows reach nearly THB70bn

Asadej said this year’s event had received a strong response amid a positive investment climate and notable performance by Thailand’s capital market.

The Thai market has risen by nearly 30%, while foreign fund inflows have reached almost 70 billion baht. Average daily trading value has also increased substantially from the previous year.

The SET Index has risen from about 1,200 points last year to approximately 1,600, while average daily trading value has increased from less than US$1 billion to more than US$2 billion.

Foreign capital flows have also reversed sharply. After net foreign outflows of US$3 billion last year, the market has recorded net inflows of more than US$2 billion this year.

Asadej attributed the improved investment environment partly to greater political stability following the election, saying the stronger government had increased confidence in its ability to advance policy and structural reforms necessary for national development.

Thailand has also begun to see a clearer recovery in foreign direct investment and domestic private-sector investment after the economy underperformed for much of the past five to 10 years, he said.

Focus shifts from risks to future growth

“The attraction of the Thai stock market this year lies in the shift from discussing regulations and risks, as we did last year, towards looking ahead at the country’s growth potential,” Asadej said.

Senior government figures, including the deputy prime minister responsible for economic affairs and the energy minister, presented their visions at the event.

One important policy direction involves turning energy-related risks into investment opportunities linked to promotional privileges offered by the Board of Investment.

From the perspective of domestic and international investors, key target industries include digital infrastructure such as data centres and semiconductors, as well as electric-vehicle manufacturing and assembly.

These sectors have attracted substantial applications for BOI investment promotion, reflecting stronger confidence in policy stability following the election.

Asadej said foreign investors were increasingly moving beyond merely monitoring Thailand and beginning to make actual investment commitments.

Investors show strong interest in Thai banks

Financial institutions, particularly Thai banks, are among the industries attracting the greatest interest from institutional investors.

However, some overseas investors have identified Thailand’s 49% foreign-shareholding ceiling as a potential constraint on further investment.

The SET has not held formal discussions with the Bank of Thailand about raising the limit.

Nevertheless, Asadej said company fundamentals and earnings remained more important factors in attracting investment than the numerical foreign-ownership ceiling alone.

JUMP+ focuses on growth, governance and sustainability

As part of its capital-market development plan, the SET is advancing the JUMP+ programme, which requires participating companies to demonstrate clarity in three areas: a three-year growth plan, corporate governance and sustainability.

These are among the principal criteria considered by institutional investors worldwide.

The SET is also working with the Securities and Exchange Commission to revise listing and initial public offering rules so that New Economy businesses can gain quicker and easier access to capital.

The revised approach will place greater emphasis on disclosure-based regulation, seeking to balance greater flexibility for businesses with appropriate protection for investors.

Thailand Focus builds momentum before IMF-World Bank meetings

At the regional level, the SET views Thailand Focus 2026 as an opportunity to build investor interest ahead of the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings, which Thailand will host in October.

The SET has discussed several forms of ASEAN capital-market cooperation, including linking depositary receipts with Singapore and developing shared environmental, social and governance standards.

It is also exploring cooperation with China on a proposed 60:40 index, with Chinese assets accounting for 60% and ASEAN or Thai assets representing the remaining 40%.

The index could be used as the basis for exchange-traded funds intended to attract investment from Chinese investors.

Fundamentals remain key to lasting confidence

Asadej stressed that the Thai stock market’s ability to retain investor confidence would ultimately depend on economic and corporate fundamentals.

Should the economy grow in line with government policy and listed companies deliver the results they have communicated to investors, Thailand’s capital market could remain an important destination offering sustainable opportunities to both domestic and international investors.

“Investors want to see growth in both businesses and the economy, reflected not only in policy but also in actual investment figures,” he said.

“That will be the trigger point creating interest and sustainability. A vision can be communicated and promoted, but if the figures do not materialise, maintaining momentum and confidence will become much more difficult.”