Int'l investors continue seeking BOI's approvals

BANGKOK, January 18 (TNA) - The number of international investors seeking approvals and promotional privileges from the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI) has remained intact so far, despite persistent political protests in the country, especially in Bangkok. An BOI adviser, Hiranya Sujinai, told reporters of the development, noting that foreign direct investment (FDI) in Thailand over the past 3-4 years has remained sound. Hiranya acknowledged, however, that Thailand's prolonged political turbulence currently has begun, somewhat, eroding foreign investors’ confidence in the Thai economy and there are signs that existing investors may switch their investment projects to other rival countries. Hiranya said Thailand's production of consumer goods during the first half of this year is also expected to decline due to the ongoing domestic political problem. The BOI adviser assessed that Thailand's production of goods and exports should recover in the second half of this year if the domestic political situation improved. (TNA)