Bangkok: Ekanit has launched the "Fast Pass" program, which immediately unlocks 70 investment projects and is projected to attract 300 billion baht in cash flow by early 2026. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanpraphas announced that the measure will be presented to the Economic Cabinet for consideration on November 24th. The initiative aims to remove key obstacles hindering large-scale investment projects by foreign investors and Thai private companies. Preliminary findings indicate that over 70 projects, each valued at over 1 billion baht, can commence immediately. The project is expected to inject at least 300 billion baht into the system, addressing a backlog of over 470 billion baht, with actual investments anticipated to begin in early 2026.
According to Thai News Agency, foreign investors continue to show interest in Thailand despite a contraction in global foreign direct investment. Thailand is still experiencing positive inflows, with applications for investment promotion from the Board of Investment (BOI) having surged to over 1.3 trillion baht, marking a nearly 90% increase. Most projects are poised for immediate investment, contingent upon the easing of complex bureaucratic procedures such as permits, project approvals, and immigration protocols.
The "Fast Pass" measure is designed to function as an Easy Pass for investment. Once projects are eligible, government agencies are required to expedite approvals, eliminating redundant processes like high-skilled worker visas, immigration clearances, and various legal permits. Concurrently, the Ministry of Finance is promoting the "Thailand Individual Savings Account" fund, which aims to bolster savings and investment in the capital market, thereby increasing liquidity and confidence. The fund is expected to be completed within this year.