Thai Business Registration Soars to Historic High, Japan Top Investor

Business
Amata City, Chonburi Industrial Estate

BANGKOK — Thailand’s new business registrations in 2024 reached a record high of 87,596, breaking the all-time record. This number is forecast to rise to 90,000–95,000 in 2025. Meanwhile, foreign investment in Thailand has exceeded $6.76 billion (228 billion baht), with Japan taking the top spot.

Ms. Oramon Subthaweetham, Director General of the Department of Enterprise Development under the Ministry of Commerce, said that 4,377 new companies were registered in December 2024, an increase of 368 companies or 9.18 percent compared to December 2023. Registered capital amounted to $678.85 million (22.895 billion baht), an increase of 7.281 billion baht or 46.63 percent.

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In terms of overall performance in 2024, a total of 87,596 new companies were registered, an increase of 2,296 companies or 2.69 percent over the previous year and the highest number in history. However, the total registered capital amounted to $8.47 billion (285.745 billion baht), a decrease of 276.724 billion baht or 49.20 percent. The top three newly registered industries were general building construction, real estate and restaurant and food services.

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As for business closures in December 2024, 6,065 businesses ceased operations, an increase of 543 businesses or 9.83 percent, with total capital of $1.04 billion (35.102 billion baht), a decrease of 17.226 billion baht or 32.92 percent. For the full year, 23,679 companies were dissolved, an increase of 299 companies or 1.28 percent, with total capital of $5.08 billion (171.18 billion baht), an increase of 11.124 billion baht or 6.95%.

Oramon Subthaweetham 2025 scaled
Ms. Oramon Sapthaweetham, Director-General of the Department of Business Development

As of December 31, 2024, there were a total of 1.96 million registered companies in Thailand with a total registered capital of $906.13 billion (30.56 trillion baht).

Ms. Oramon also touched on foreign investment in Thailand in 2024, pointing out that 954 foreign companies were granted permission to do business under the Foreign Business Act. These investments amounted to $6.76 billion (228.106 billion baht) and created 5,040 jobs for Thai workers.

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In the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), foreign investment in 2024 amounted to 301 companies, accounting for 32 percent of all approved foreign investors, an increase of 167 companies or 124 percent compared to 2023. The value of investment in the EEC amounted to $1.67 billion (56.49 billion baht), accounting for 25 percent of total foreign investment, an increase of 17.877 billion baht or 46 percent.

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