The Determinants of FDI Inflows – Recent Evidence from Thailand

Abstract

Before the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis Thailand had the fastest growing level of FDI inflows amongst Asian economies. The general objective of this research is to evaluate the determinants of FDI investment in Thailand post the 1997 crisis, our empirical investigation of the determinants of Thailand’s FDI relates to the period 1998-2008. The end of this period also covers the Global financial crisis of 2007/08, the effects of this crisis on FDI generally may be premature to judge given that most FDI projects have lead times ranging from 12 to 18 months. The paper also provides an update covering the latest available FDI data by comparing 2008-2009 Quarter 1 FDI flows both regionally and for Thailand.

Keywords: FDI Thailand

JEL Classification: F00