World Bank Identifies Industries to Drive Thailand’s Future Growth

A new World Bank Group report has identified five industries that could drive Thailand’s next phase of growth as the country seeks to become a high-income, innovation-driven economy. Launched at the Bangkok Business Summit 2026, Building Thailand’s Future Today identifies advanced manufacturing, sustainable and wellness tourism, digital services, agrifood, and creative industries as sectors with strong growth potential.

The World Bank estimates that Thailand would need average annual GDP per capita growth of 5.4% to reach high-income status by 2037. The report calls for higher productivity, greater adoption of new technologies, increased domestic value creation and investment, and more high-value jobs to improve the country’s competitiveness and accelerate its economic transition.

For businesses, the report recommends greater competition, better access to finance, deeper trade integration, and more opportunities for startups and SMEs to expand. For workers, it calls for improvements in vocational education and skills related to artificial intelligence, technology, engineering, and mathematics, along with expanded lifelong learning and opportunities for productive employment.

The report also identifies cities as important drivers of future growth, recommending greater development of secondary cities while making Bangkok more productive, green, and innovative. According to the World Bank, reforms across businesses, workers, and cities could raise productivity, improve competitiveness, and create better jobs, supporting Thailand’s transition toward high-income status and more inclusive economic growth.

Source: NBT World