Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, said Thailand’s participation in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland, has significantly strengthened the country’s global profile and generated strong investor interest, particularly in the digital and artificial intelligence sectors.
Assigned by the Prime Minister to lead “Team Thailand” to Davos, Ekniti said the WEF serves as a crucial platform for global leaders to exchange views and help shape directions on the world economy, trade, finance, and investment amid increasing geopolitical tensions and global polarisation.
One of the key outcomes of the mission was Thailand’s clear visibility on the global stage. In this context, ASEAN—and Thailand in particular—was highlighted as a regional hub offering neutrality and stability, qualities increasingly valued by investors seeking to manage risks in a polarised world. He added that Thailand recorded investment applications worth approximately THB 1.8 trillion last year, an increase of about 60 percent, spanning industries such as modern agriculture, food processing, electric vehicles, smart electronics, and data centres.
Citing a United Nations report released last Friday, Ekniti said Thailand ranked first in ASEAN and sixth globally in attracting data-centre investment. The top 10 countries listed were France, the United States, South Korea, Brazil, Spain, Thailand, India, Italy, Malaysia, and Norway.
The second key outcome was the strengthening of international networks. During the visit, he held discussions with the President of the World Bank, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), as well as leaders from various governments and international agencies. Thailand also reiterated its intention to join the OECD, with confirmation received that efforts would be made to support Thailand’s accession within five years.
Ekniti added that Thailand will host the IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings in October, marking the first time in 35 years that the country has hosted the event.
The third key outcome was investment promotion. Ekniti said he met executives from around 30 leading global companies, many of which confirmed plans to invest or expand operations in Thailand, particularly in digital and AI-related projects, with a combined investment value of approximately THB 500 billion.
The government is not only seeking infrastructure investment, but also partnerships to strengthen Thai human capital through the “Skill Bridge” initiative, focusing on skills development, job creation, and training in areas such as data engineering, digital technology, and the green economy.
The Davos mission successfully elevated Thailand’s presence on the global economic stage, expanded cooperation with international economic institutions, and showcased Thailand’s strengths as an investment destination in modern agriculture, digital technology, data, wellness, and sustainable growth.
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