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Why Thailand
WHY THAILAND
- Blessed with fertile lands, the region produces high-quality agricultural products such as fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices, raw sugar, tea, coffee, rubber and rice.
- Friendly, open and hospitable people have contributed to a thriving tourism industry, offering ample investment opportunities
- A unique balance between state-of-the-art technology and traditional knowledge has fostered a flourishing industry of high-quality spa and beauty products.
- Favorable production laws inviting manufacturers to produce in Thailand. Mayor producer in cars, computers, electrical appliances and member of ASEAN.
- Independent, outside the box thinking people creating amongst others a booming jewelry industry.
- Wide variety of natural scenery,culture, favorable climate, excellent cuisine, good infrastructure andand a top-qualityhealthcare hub (top 10 worldwide), creating a fantastic place for people to stay, work, doing business, invest and retire.
Trade History
The Kingdom of Thailand, also known as the ‘Land of Smiles,’ is a country in Southeast Asia, formerly called ‘Siam.’ It is blessed with fertile lands and home to creative, open and friendly people.
The country has always been called ‘Mueang Thai’ by its citizens, with ‘Thai’ meaning ‘free man’ in the language.
Despite attempts at colonization, Thailand was never colonized. In the nineteenth century, it was surrounded by the colonized countries of French Indochina and British Burma. In fact, very few countries in the world (only 8) have never been either a colonizing power or colonized, allowing Thailand to develop on its own terms.
When the Thais first opened trade with the world in the 16th century, they were different from other countries in the East Asian region. They welcomed foreigners warmly, treating them like guests at home. Europeans even served in the Thai court (then known as Siam) at the time.
Due to their friendliness since the medieval era, foreign traders chose Siam as a primary trade route. Siam’s Ayutthaya became one of the richest cities, with some even claiming it was larger than Versailles. Though aggression from Burma and other rival factions led to its downfall, Thailand’s openness to foreigners and trade has remained unchanged.
Regions and production
It is commonly characterized by high mountainous areas, beautiful natural surroundings and a rich culture. The major crops include soybeans, corn, rice, sugarcane, longan, lychee, garlic, Virginia tobacco leaves, burley, shallots and onions.
Northern of Thailand
Northern Thailand is famous not only for its exquisite orchids but also for its world-renowned coffee, especially Doi Chang. While less widely known, the region also boasts a diverse selection of native teas, with Oolong tea standing out as one of the finest globally. This prized Oolong is typically exported to Taiwan, where it is marketed as top-quality Taiwanese tea, and also to China. Additionally, the north is a key supplier of mineral resources in Thailand, including lignite coal, limestone and white clay.
Produces
Tea, coffee, and arts and crafts are renowned, with arts and crafts being particularly more affordable compared to other regions.
Tourist Attractions:
Famous attractions include Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai Old City, Pai, the Golden Triangle and vibrant hill tribes, all celebrated for their stunning nature and rich cultural heritage.
Investment Opportunities:
Investment opportunities include tourism, transportation, agriculture, commercial real estate, hospitality and manufacturing.
Northeastern or Isan Region
Most of this region’s soil is not very suitable for cultivation, as the sandy soil struggles to retain water, making droughts common. Important crops include sugarcane, cassava, rice and maize. The region is also known for its rich cultural heritage, with traditional dance, music and festivals.
Produces
Famous for rice, sugarcane, cassava, mangoes, fermented fish, silk, weaving and maize production.
Tourist Attractions:
Cultural sites like the Bun Bung Fire Festival, unique local architecture and historical landmarks that showcase the region's rich heritage and traditions.
Investment Opportunities:
Investment opportunities include labor (exports), real estate and housing, handicrafts, food products, agriculture, tourism and renewable energy.
Southern Region
The region is characterized by mountains, plains, and coastal lines. The terrain stretches long to the south, with the sea flanked on both sides by the Gulf of Thailand (East) and the Andaman Sea (West).
It is Thailand’s major source of economic crops such as rubber, palm oil, coconut, and coffee and is home to the largest tin mine in the country. The south also boasts a flourishing tourism industry, with destinations like Phuket, known as the “Andaman Pearl”, Koh Samui, a tropical paradise, and Tarutao National Park, celebrated as an “Asian Heritage”.
Produces
The region is known for agricultural products like rubber, palm oil, coconut, durian and coffee, along with silver jewelry, rattan, rubberwood and batik.
Tourist Attractions:
Phuket’s beaches and nightlife, Koh Samui’s resorts, Tarutao National Park’s beauty and Krabi’s limestone cliffs.
Investment Opportunities:
Tourism development, real estate, hospitality, agriculture (rubber, palm oil, coconut), marine industries and renewable energy projects such as solar and wind power.
Central Region Western & Eastern Region
The region is mainly lowland, with the Chao Phraya River as the primary waterway. Its fertile land is ideal for cultivation, making it a key agricultural area. Historically, the central region has been the center of governance, politics, education and finance. Bangkok, the capital, is the most densely populated city, with around ten million people. Major crops include rice, corn, cassava, sugarcane, pineapple, sunflower and millet. The eastern region is known for fruits like durian. The area is also a hub for industries like fisheries, livestock, canned fish production and car factories.
Produces
The region produces durian, rice, corn, cassava, sugarcane, pineapple and millet. It’s also known for jewelry, ceramics, textiles, paintings and souvenirs, along with fisheries and industrial products.
Tourist Attractions:
The region boasts attractions like Bangkok's vibrant culture, Ayutthaya's ancient temples, Kanchanaburi's historic sites and the scenic beaches of Rayong and Pattaya.
Investment Opportunities:
The region offers opportunities in tourism, real estate, agriculture (rice, durian, sugarcane), fisheries and manufacturing.
Agricultural Exports
Rubber: Thailand is the world’s largest exporter of natural rubber, holding a 33.3% share of a global export market valued at $13.9 billion annually. Indonesia follows closely with a 31.7% market share. Almost half of Thailand’s rubber (42.4%) is exported to China.
Rice: The global rice export market is valued at $25.4 billion annually, with Thailand as the second-largest exporter, holding a 22.7% market share, behind India’s 29.3%.
Raw Sugar: Global raw sugar exports amount to $23.6 billion annually. Thailand ranks second in exports with a 12.4% market share, behind Brazil’s dominant 28.3%.
Other Produce: Thailand also exports a wide range of agricultural products, including cassava (primarily grown in the east), fruits like durian, mangosteen, mango, rambutan, longan, and pineapple, as well as coffee and tea. Additionally, it exports spices and herbs such as ginger, galangal, lemongrass, pepper, and curry paste, along with coconut products and high-quality fresh and dried seafood.
Thailand benefits from state-of-the-art infrastructure to support its exports, with several seaports and the highly efficient Suvarnabhumi Airport serving as a key air hub.
