Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) President Asadej Kongsiri noted a high level of interest from companies in raising capital, even as the initial public offering (IPO) pipeline faces difficulties. This observation was made during discussions at the "Thailand Focus 2026: Reignite Thailand" event, which aims to connect listed companies with global investors and showcase Thailand's economic potential. The event, held from August 26-28, features 78 listed companies presenting their business plans and engaging with institutional investors.
Kongsiri emphasized that the Thai stock market has performed exceptionally well, with the SET Index increasing by almost 30% since the beginning of the year, ranking fourth highest globally. He attributed this surge to renewed investor confidence, continued foreign investment inflows, an upgraded credit rating for Thailand by leading global agencies, and clear government economic policies focused on long-term growth. These factors, combined with the strong fundamentals and adaptability of Thai businesses, are transforming global economic challenges into opportunities for enhanced competitiveness.
The "Thailand Focus 2026" event, co-organized by the SET and several financial partners, also provides a platform for 16 companies from the JUMP+ project to present their three-year plans for business value enhancement, including initiatives related to operations, governance, and greenhouse gas management. Additionally, senior executives from six ASEAN stock exchanges are sharing insights on capital connectivity for regional growth. The event underscores a collaborative effort between the government and the capital market to attract further investment into Thailand and promote dialogue among stakeholders to develop policies and services catering to global investor demand. While there is interest from firms to raise capital, Kongsiri previously mentioned that the IPO pipeline itself is in a difficult situation, indicating a potential divergence between general capital-raising interest and the specific environment for new listings.
