Kingdom ranks high in survey of ASEAN expats

Thailand is a suitable country for foreign investment on several levels but cannot beat Singapore for quality of life, expatriates in Southeast Asia told Abac Poll.

The survey compared Thailand with other ASEAN states in attractiveness as an investment destination this year.

A total of 958 expats were questioned from December 10 to January 8 and they all had a certain level of understanding of the situations in at least five ASEAN member nations.

When asked about convenience in accessing various necessities and raw materials for investment, Thailand came first at 24.4 per cent, followed by Indonesia at 14.1 per cent, Myanmar at 10.2 per cent and Vietnam at 10.1 per cent.

The Philippines trailed at 9.5 per cent, followed by Cambodia at 7.9 per cent, Malaysia at 7.0 per cent, Laos at 6.6 per cent, Singapore at 5.8 per cent and Brunei at 4.4 per cent.

Thailand was first in sufficient labour supply at 27 per cent, followed by Indonesia at 11.2 per cent and Myanmar at 11 per cent. Thailand was first in quality of the labour force at 25.2 per cent, followed by Singapore at 24.1 per cent and Malaysia at 10.5 per cent.

Singapore had the best infrastructure, at 37.7 per cent, followed by Thailand at 20 per cent and Brunei at 11.8 per cent.

Thailand was back at first for food safety at 30.5 per cent, followed by Singapore at 25.3 per cent and Malaysia at 11.2 per cent.

Singapore was the best at investment promotion at 27.1 per cent, followed by Thailand at 21.6 per cent and Malaysia at 9.9 per cent.

Singapore's quality of life, at 30.6 per cent, could not be beaten by Thailand at 19.9 per cent or Brunei at 11.4 per cent.