Thailand Ranked 7th in Asia for Starting a Business, Citing Reforms and Investment Appeal

Thailand has been ranked 27th in the world and 7th in Asia among the best countries for starting a business, aligning with the government's ongoing efforts to reform the country's economic structure and enhance its global competitiveness, according to deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana, citing the US News & World Report – Best Countries 2026 rankings. Thailand was also recognised for its openness to business operations and investment, underscoring the country's strength as a key destination for investment and business in the region. The rankings are based on multiple factors, including economic performance, governance, infrastructure, business opportunities and the overall investment climate. Thailand's strengths include its robust manufacturing base, integration into regional supply chains, well-developed infrastructure and readiness to support future industries. These factors have enabled Thailand to maintain the confidence of investors from around the world. According to Ms Lalida, the ranking is consistent with the government's economic agenda under the leadership of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, which focuses on restructuring the economy to strengthen the country's competitiveness while raising public sector standards to international levels. The government aims to secure Thailand's membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) by 2028. OECD accession is expected to serve as an important mechanism for advancing structural reforms in areas such as good governance, transparency, the rule of law, fair competition and regulatory modernisation in line with international standards. These reforms are intended to improve the business environment, enhance investor confidence, and strengthen Thailand's competitiveness in the long term. "Thailand's recognition by US News & World Report as one of the best countries to start a business is a positive signal that the international community recognises the country's investment potential. The government will continue to reform regulations and raise national standards in line with OECD requirements to foster a more investment-friendly environment, attract future industries, create high-quality jobs and improve people's quality of life, while ensuring sustainable economic growth," Ms Lalida said. Pisit Puapan, director of the Bureau of Macroeconomic Policy under the Fiscal Policy Office, said that Thailand's economic stability remains sound, reflected in the headline inflation rate, which stood at 2.79% in May, while core inflation was 0.92%. Public debt at the end of April amounted to 66.6% of GDP, remaining within the fiscal discipline framework established under the State Financial and Fiscal Discipline Act. He said Thailand's external stability also remains strong and is well-positioned to withstand risks arising from global economic volatility. This is reflected in the country's international reserves, which remained at a high level of US$287.5 billion at the end of May. Source: Bangkok Post