World Bank: Thailand's Path to High-Income Status

Khaosod•Economy•18d ago

Reader Briefing

The World Bank released a report at the Bangkok Business Summit 2026 outlining a roadmap for Thailand to become a high-income economy by 2037.

•The World Bank launched the 'Building Thailand’s Future Today' report at the Bangkok Business Summit 2026.
•Thailand needs an annual GDP per capita growth rate of 5.4 percent to reach high-income status by 2037.
•The proposed reform framework focuses on two pillars: upgrading and dynamism across business, labor, and local levels.
•The World Bank identified five future industries with high potential for Thailand: advanced manufacturing, sustainable and wellness tourism, digital services, agri-food, and creative industries.

•The World Bank released the 'Building Thailand’s Future Today' report during the Bangkok Business Summit 2026.
•The World Bank states Thailand requires a GDP per capita expansion of 5.4 percent per year to become a high-income country by 2037.
•The World Bank recommends Thailand upgrade its potential by adopting technology, promoting innovation, and developing labor skills.
•Stephen N. Ndegwa stated the World Bank is ready to provide global knowledge, funding, and operational experience to support Thailand's reforms.
•The World Bank suggests strengthening secondary cities to serve as growth engines alongside Bangkok to create diverse jobs.
•The World Bank proposes improving the labor force through basic skills, vocational training, and STEM education, including AI.
•The annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank will be held in Bangkok in October.
•The Bangkok Business Summit 2026 serves as a platform to link Thailand's reform commitments with international investment and knowledge.

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Stephen N. Ndegwa

"Thailand has previously created growth that transformed the country within a single generation, and Thailand can do it again."

ประเทศไทยเคยสร้างการเติบโตที่พลิกโฉมประเทศมาก่อนหน้านี้ โดยใช้ระยะเวลาเพียงหนึ่งชั่วอายุคน และไทยสามารถทำได้อีกครั้ง

Carlos Felipe Jaramillo

"Thailand's goal of becoming a high-income country is within reach, but achieving it requires a new form of higher-value growth."

เป้าหมายการเป็นประเทศรายได้สูงของไทยอยู่ไม่ไกลเกินเอื้อม แต่การจะไปให้ถึงต้องอาศัยการเติบโตรูปแบบใหม่ที่มีมูลค่าสูงขึ้น

World Bank(ธนาคารโลก)ℹ️

An international organization that released the 'Building Thailand’s Future Today' report and provides knowledge and funding for reforms.

International Monetary Fund(กองทุนการเงินระหว่างประเทศ)ℹ️

An organization that will hold an annual meeting in Bangkok in October.

Stephen N. Ndegwa(สตีเฟน เอ็น. เอ็นเดกวา)

The World Bank Country Director for Thailand and Myanmar.

Carlos Felipe Jaramillo(คาร์ลอส เฟลิเป้ คารามิลโย)

The World Bank Vice President for East Asia and Pacific.

Bangkok(กรุงเทพมหานคร)ℹ️

The city hosting the Bangkok Business Summit 2026 and the upcoming annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank.

Thailand(ประเทศไทย)ℹ️

The country aiming to transition to a high-income economy by 2037.

Building Thailand’s Future Today

A report by the World Bank presenting a vision and roadmap for Thailand's economic development.