At the Thailand-Japan Investment Forum on 7 October, the BOI disclosed that from 2021 to the first half of 2026, Japanese investors applied for more than 1,380 projects worth over THB 396.5 billion (about RMB 87.23 billion). Agoda, which the BOI visited the day before, has more than 4,500 employees in Thailand.
Thailand-Japan Investment Forum
According to BOI press releases (Thai No. 177/2569 and English No. 178/2569), the forum, themed "Investment Gateway for Sustainable Growth", was held alongside the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank and drew more than 700 investors, mainly from the automotive, electronics, machinery and equipment and financial sectors. Organizers included the BOI, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Stock Exchange of Thailand and the Export-Import Bank of Thailand.
Japanese investment data: From 2021 to the first half of 2026, Japanese investors applied for more than 1,380 projects worth over THB 396.5 billion; the top three sectors by value were semiconductors and electronics, automotive and parts, and chemicals and petrochemicals. Areas the BOI listed for expanded investment include bio and green industries, EVs and key components, advanced semiconductors, AI and digital, automation and robotics, and International Business Centers; older factories can use the "Smart and Sustainable Industry" upgrading measures.
In his opening remarks, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance called for "growth driven by quality investment", listed seven priority areas (smart agriculture and food processing, smart electronics, next-generation automotive, healthcare, quality tourism, retail and logistics, and the creative economy), and mentioned the BOI's measures to encourage stock market listings.
Agoda: An International Business Center Example
BOI press release No. 176/2569 reports that the BOI Secretary General visited Agoda's Bangkok office on 6 October. Agoda has more than 8,000 employees worldwide, more than 4,500 of them in Thailand, its largest office globally; more than half of its Thailand staff are Thai, and about 2,000 are foreign nationals from more than 80 countries.
Agoda's BOI incentives fall under the "International Business Center" category, positioned as a regional headquarters and global technology and operations center. Visas and work permits are processed through the One Stop Service Center run jointly by the BOI, the Immigration Bureau and the Department of Employment.
Key Points
Japanese investment applications in Thailand: more than 1,380 projects worth over THB 396.5 billion from 2021 to the first half of 2026.
Top three sectors: semiconductors and electronics, automotive and parts, and chemicals and petrochemicals.
The government set out seven priority areas and "growth driven by quality investment".
Agoda receives BOI incentives under the International Business Center category, with more than 4,500 employees in Thailand, about 2,000 of them foreign nationals.
Z&X Insight
The International Business Center category suits companies setting up regional headquarters or management and technical service centers in Thailand. Projects with many foreign staff should plan ahead for the link between position approvals and work permits. Z&X BOI Investment Promotion Application helps businesses identify the applicable category; visas and work permits for foreign staff of BOI-promoted companies can be handled through our Work Visa and Work Permit Services.
Sources
“เอกนิติ-บีโอไอ” ผนึกพันธมิตรไทย–ญี่ปุ่น ชูสร้างการเติบโตร่วมกันอย่างยั่งยืน（ฉบับที่ 177/2569） (Ekniti and BOI Join Forces with Thai-Japanese Partners to Promote Sustainable Shared Growth; No. 177/2569) | Board of Investment (BOI) | 2026-10-07 | https://osos.boi.go.th/TH/news/2501/
Thailand and Japan Cement $11.7 Billion Industrial Alliance in High-Tech Shift（No. 178/2569） | Thailand Board of Investment | 2026-10-07 | https://www.boi.go.th/upload/content/PR178_2569EN.pdf
“Agoda” ชูกรุงเทพฯ ฐาน Tech Talent ระดับโลก ปักหมุดสำนักงานภูมิภาค จ้างงานในไทยกว่า 4,500 คน（ฉบับที่ 176/2569） (Agoda Highlights Bangkok as a Global Tech Talent Base, Anchors Regional Office and Employs More Than 4,500 People in Thailand; No. 176/2569) | Board of Investment (BOI) | 2026-10-06 | https://www.boi.go.th/upload/content/PR176_2569.pdf
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