Bangkok: WHA Group has expressed its support for the swift establishment of a new government, with the aim of unlocking infrastructure development and boosting foreign direct investment (FDI) and GDP growth to over 2%.
According to Thai News Agency, WHA Group anticipates that political stability will enhance investor confidence and hopes that the new government will uphold its current policies over the next four years. This continuity is expected to expedite efforts to address energy bottlenecks and streamline investment approval processes, aligning with major economic trends. The company projects that with prompt government action, the GDP growth in 2026 could surpass 2%. Concurrently, WHA Group has announced an investment plan of 16.5 billion baht for 2026, which will span its five business divisions.
Ms. Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, Chairperson of the Executive Committee and CEO of WHA Corporation Public Company Limited, highlighted that 2026 presents multiple challenges, arising from complex geopolitical dynamics, geoeconomic tensions, fluctuations in global trade, advancements in AI and data technologies, and evolving ESG standards and stricter global trade regulations.
Uncertainty persists due to fluctuating tariffs enacted by US President Donald Trump. Despite these challenges, businesses have been adapting for over a year, with expectations that the situation may continue for another three years. WHA has been pursuing a diversification strategy since 2018, expanding its customer base beyond China, notably in the technology and data center sectors.
Domestically, the private sector feels reassured as the winning political party secured over 190 seats in the elections and is in the process of forming a government expected to have nearly 300 supporters. This development raises hopes for a full-term government committed to executing its policies. The inclusion of external experts is also seen as a factor that could bolster investor confidence. The private sector urges for the official formation of the government to expedite economic growth, projecting a potential growth of over 2% for the Thai economy if the government acts swiftly.
In terms of foreign direct investment, WHA believes that resolving procedural delays and enhancing energy infrastructure, such as transmission systems, will attract more investments, particularly in the high-value data center sector, where the company has already secured a major deal.
For 2026, under the mission 'WHA: SHAPE THE FUTURE FOR THAILAND,' WHA Group plans to support the new economy across sectors like electric vehicles, semiconductors, data centers, cloud, and renewable energy. The investment budget of 16.5 billion baht is allocated as follows: industrial estates (9 billion baht), logistics (3.7 billion baht), utilities and energy (2.9 billion baht), mobility (600 million baht), and digital (300 million baht). The company aims for a revenue and net profit of 20 billion baht, an EBITDA margin exceeding 45%, and a net debt-to-equity ratio below 1.2 times, indicating a robust financial position. It is anticipated that approximately 50% of revenue in 2026 will come from industrial estates.
In the fiscal year 2025, WHA reported total revenue and profit sharing of 18,232 million baht and a net profit of 5,135 million baht. The board of directors resolved to pay a total annual dividend of 0.2107 baht per share, reflecting an increase of 10.5% from the previous year. The ex-dividend date is set for May 11, 2026, with the dividend payment scheduled for May 28, 2026.