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This chapter examines the Thai legal code, focusing primarily on plans to attract investment, special economic zones, types of businesses that can be set up, and other key topics. It also contains a viewpoint from Yuthana Promsin, Partner and Co-founder of Jus Laws & Consult.

This chapter summarizes the Thai tax system, focusing on corporate tax rates, rules and regulations, incentives for investors and other key areas. It also contains a viewpoint from Andrew Jackomos and Paul Ashburn, Senior Partners, BDO Advisory.

The naturally fertile land central to Thailand’s Chao Phraya river basin, combined with increasingly well-developed infrastructure, serves as a strong foundation for what is a robust agricultural base. These advantages have propelled both small-scale farmers and larger agriculture companies from Thailand into the forefront of global agri-business, with the country ranking among the world’s leaders in the exportation of rice, seafood, rubber and sugar, as well as serving as a home base for some of the region’s largest food production companies. In 2014 the agricultural sector contributed $20bn to GDP, up slightly from $19.9bn recorded the previous year. In terms of value added, this was equivalent to 10.5% of the country’s GDP for the year. This chapter contains interviews with Krisda Monthienvichienchai, CEO and President, Mitr Phol; and Luck Wajananawat, President, Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives.

The government of Thailand is highly focused on reforming education and has made some decisive moves to achieve this end. The administration is also starting to lay the foundations for the long term, pushing initiatives that will help education move into the future. It is, for example, working to increase research and development spending, from 0.46% of GDP in 2015 to 1.0% in 2016. This is central to making the universities more sustainable, competitive and relevant in an international context. Ultimately, the country may find that education can become a driver for economic growth. Health care is growing and is seen as a source of significant opportunity and growth. Not only is it strong on the domestic side, with more than 99% of the population receiving free health care, but it is also a highly competitive destination for medical tourism. Heavy investment continues in the sector. Hospital groups are raising funds and expanding, mergers are being undertaken and the sector is venturing overseas. This chapter contains an interview with Arthit Purairat, President, Rangsit University.

Endless white sandy beaches, inexpensive accommodation, tasty cuisine, exotic jungle treks and friendly locals have all propelled Thailand to its reputation as a quintessential tropical tourism destination, not only within the region but across the globe. Marketing campaigns headed by the Thai government and private sector have helped cement the industy’s position as the fourth-biggest contributor to GDP. Well-developed transport and communication infrastructure and a generous offering of luxury accommodation, gourmet restaurants and modern retail centres attract clients from the meetings, incentives, convention and exhibition, and shopping tourism segments, while an assortment of unique ecosystems ranging from tropical forests to coral reefs continues to draw in adventure and eco-minded tourists. All this is complemented by the rich cultural and religious attractions that can be found throughout the country. Thailand’s wide range of offerings has provided the travel and tourism industry with a leg up on its competitors at a crucial developmental point, when the growing number of tourists in the region display increasingly varied holiday interests and preferences. This chapter contains interviews with Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, President, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau; and Patrick Basset, Chief Operating Officer, AccorHotels Upper Southeast & Northeast Asia.