Thailand faces tougher competition for high-tech foreign investments as election jitters mount

The BYD Atto 3 EV car displayed in Bangkok. At stake is the chance to tap into the investment exodus from China. - Reuters

BALI/BANGKOK, Jan 29 (The Straits Times/ANN): In the run-up to Thailand’s elections in May, the new head of the country’s board of investment vows to stay the course on policies geared at attracting high-tech industries.

Thailand is offering tax holidays of as long as 13 years for investments in biotechnology and electric vehicles (EVs) in its bid to woo higher paying jobs and innovation, Narit Therdsteerasukdi, secretary general of the board of investment of Thailand, told The Straits Times in an interview last week.