Chamber sounds alarm about Vietnam

The Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam (ThaiCham) has called on the Thai government to streamline regulations and improve the country’s ease of doing business, warning that Thailand risks losing its position as a manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia.

- LAMONPHET APISITNIRAN

Jongjarern Jomjakra, assistant chairman of ThaiCham, said foreign direct investment (FDI) in Thailand fell to US$32 billion in 2024, trailing Vietnam’s $38 billion.

“Tt will be a nightmare for Thailand to maintain its role as a base for manufacturing plants in Southeast Asia if this trend continues,’ he said.

Vietnam is aggressively positioning itself as a high-tech manufacturing hub, with ambitions to become a regional centre for the semiconductor industry.