Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair spoke about the challenges and opportunities facing the Thai economy at the Thailand Board of Investment CEO Forum in Bangkok in late January. Speaking to 500 business and government leaders from Thailand and abroad, he acknowledged the problems the country is still facing in recovering from some of the worst flooding in recent history. Blair expressed confidence in how Thailand is managing the crisis, and stated British companies are still very interested in setting up their regional ASEAN headquarters in Thailand because of the country’s economic and political stability, good infrastructure, skilled workforce and business-friendly environment.
The UK is the largest European Union exporter to Thailand, amounting to $3.47 billion US in 2010. Imports from Thailand to the UK were $1.89 billion US. UK companies and those from other countries are looking to Thailand not only as a thriving market in its own right, but also as a regional base for doing business more widely within ASEAN.