Week1: How open to openess are you?

Since ancient times, we have been receptive to influences and ideas from outside – from India, from China, from the West. With our long-standing tolerance for diversity and openness, all levels of Thai society are experienced in adapting to cross-pressures from abroad. We recognized early on that survival depended not upon closing ourselves off from the rest of the world, but upon absorbing external influences and making them our own. Our policies, be they in trade or other matters, have always been open. 

Thai economy is export-dependent, with exports of goods and services equivalent to nearly 70% of GDP in 2010. We relied largely on external demand from the United States and other foreign markets since recovery from the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis and "openness" has become necessary for Thailand. 

Thai Government welcomes foreign investment, and investors who are willing to meet certain requirements can apply for special investment privileges through the Board of Investment. To attract additional foreign investment, the government has promised to look for ways to expand investment opportunities, focusing more on green technology/manufacturers.