Delivering a keynote address at FTI Outlook 2026 on the topic ‘Policy Vision for Thailand’s Economic Transformation’ on Wednesday (Nov 19), he said Thailand Fast Pass would serve as an executive-branch mechanism to accelerate investment by businesses that have already received investment promotion certificates, enabling them to proceed with actual investment more swiftly.
During the first nine months of this year, investment promotion applications reached B1.3 trillion, a 94% increase compared with the same period last year, reports the Bangkok Post.
The applications span a range of sectors including food processing, electronics, circuit board manufacturing, data centres, electric vehicles (EV), automation, wellness and advanced medical services.
However, of the B1.3trn in approved projects, B470 billion was ready for immediate investment this year but remains stalled due to various domestic approval processes. Thailand Fast Pass is intended to accelerate real investment activity, with the expectation that it will unlock at least B300bn in capital expenditure.
Mr Ekniti added that transforming Thailand also demands transformation of people and technology. On human capital, aside from government initiatives to upskill small merchants under the Khon La Khrueng co-payment scheme, the government will also provide upskilling through the competitiveness enhancement fund.
This will be carried out in partnership with the private sector, tailoring training programmes to industry needs, with the state covering all training costs. The target is to train 100,000 people within four months.
Regarding technology, Mr Ekniti said the state can utilise investment mechanisms such as public–private partnerships (PPP) and the Thailand Infrastructure Fund to undertake projects without placing additional pressure on the national budget.