Thailand sees a 22% drop in investment pledges this year

BANGKOK, Sept 12 (Reuters) – Thailand expects overall investment applications to drop by 22% to 500 billion baht ($13.76 billion) this year after a first-half slump, its government said on Monday.

The government, however, is hoping its measures to promote investment, including a long-term resident visa launched this month, will draw more foreign investors later this year, spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said in a statement.

The Southeast Asian country has promoted high-tech sectors and supported electric vehicles to maintain its status as a regional auto production base. read more

In the January-June period, Thai and foreign investment pledges slumped 42% to about 220 billion baht, due mainly to a large power plant project last year, according to the Board of Investment. read more

Foreign investments, which made up 60% of the overall applications in the January-June period, more than halved year-on-year.

($1 = 36.34 baht)

Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat Writing by Orathai Sriring; Edited by Martin Petty

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