Long known as a destination for inbound foreign investment, Thailand has also become a significant outward investor, thanks to aggressive overseas mergers and acquisitions by its growing community of heavyweight companies. Recent forays into and beyond Southeast Asian markets, led by top Thai corporates like Thai Beverage (ThaiBev), Indorama Ventures and Thai Union Group, may be a harbinger of things to come as domestic companies seek ways to strengthen their competitiveness.
Taking a more assertive route through direct investment is only the beginning, but being able to leverage skills and resources obtained overseas to improve their overall operations is essential for these Thai companies to become truly multinational.