Aloke urges foreign companies to move bases to Bangkok

Thairath•Politics•10d ago

Reader Briefing

Aloke Lohia, CEO of Indorama Ventures, advocates for foreign companies to relocate to Bangkok and urges the Thai government to unlock state enterprise restrictions.

•Aloke Lohia spoke at the THAIRATH FORUM 2026 on August 31, 2026, regarding Thailand's economic strategies.
•Indorama Ventures grew from a 10 million USD investment in 1988 to over 100 factories worldwide.
•Aloke Lohia suggested that Bangkok has higher potential for development than Hong Kong or Singapore for foreign bases.
•The Thai government was urged to allow state enterprises to take a more proactive role to make Thailand a true hub.

Overview

•On August 31, 2026, Thairath Group organized the THAIRATH FORUM 2026: THAILAND IN THE NEW GLOBAL ORDER.
•Aloke Lohia shared the history of Indorama Ventures, noting the company survived the 1997 Tom Yum Goong crisis and the 2008 Global Financial Crisis.
•Aloke Lohia stated that Indorama Ventures began investing in the United States in 2002 to diversify risk and acquire distressed businesses.
•Aloke Lohia noted that Indorama Ventures started with a family capital of 10 million USD in 1988.
•Aloke Lohia highlighted Thailand's strengths in petrochemicals at Map Ta Phut, the automotive sector, electronics, and medical tourism.
•Aloke Lohia prefers expanding into Africa over India because the Indian market is saturated and highly competitive.
•Aloke Lohia suggested that the Thai government should unlock regulations, specifically allowing state enterprises to be more proactive.
•Aloke Lohia believes Thailand can achieve a 5% economic growth target until 2037 by opening doors to foreign investment and investing abroad.

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Source: Thairath (Original)

Key Quotes

Aloke Lohia

"Many foreign companies should move their operations to Bangkok instead of Hong Kong or Singapore because Bangkok is better, safer, and much more livable."

บริษัทต่างชาติหลายแห่งควรย้ายฐานการดำเนินงานมาที่กรุงเทพฯ แทนที่จะเป็นฮ่องกงหรือสิงคโปร์ เพราะกรุงเทพฯ นั้นดีกว่า ปลอดภัยกว่า และน่าอยู่กว่ามากครับ

Key Entities

Person

Aloke Lohia(อาลก โลเฮีย)ℹ️

Group CEO of Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited.

Surakiart Sathirathai(สุรเกียรติ์ เสถียรไทย)ℹ️

Special Professor, President of the Chulalongkorn University Council, and former Deputy Prime Minister.

Arthit Nanthawithaya(อาทิตย์ นันทวิทยา)

CEO of SCB X Public Company Limited.

Prasith Boondoungprasert(ประสิทธิ์ บุญดวงประเสริฐ)

CEO of Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited.

Suphajon Klinsuwan(สุผจญ กลิ่นสุวรรณ)

The moderator of the THAIRATH FORUM 2026 discussion.

Organization

Indorama Ventures(อินโดรามา เวนเจอร์ส)ℹ️

A global petrochemical company with over 100 factories worldwide.

Thairath Group(ไทยรัฐกรุ๊ป)

The organizer of the THAIRATH FORUM 2026.

Chulalongkorn University(จุฬาฯ)ℹ️

A leading educational institution in the center of Bangkok.

Board of Investment(BOI)

An agency providing investment promotion measures and tax exemptions in Thailand.

World Bank(ธนาคารโลก)ℹ️

An organization that issued a report stating Bangkok still has significant development potential.

Place

Bangkok(กรุงเทพฯ)ℹ️

The capital of Thailand suggested by Aloke Lohia as a better base for foreign companies than Hong Kong or Singapore.

Map Ta Phut(มาบตาพุด)ℹ️

A location in Thailand with excellent petrochemical industry potential.