Mining, Ceramics, and Basic Metals
- Prospecting Minerals
- Potash Extraction and/or Dressing
- Production of goods derived from glass or ceramic
- Production of fire-resistant materials or heat insulation products
- Production of gypsum-derived products
- Production of intermediate steel
- Production of downstream steel
- Production of cast irons or steel parts
- Production of coils
- Production of construction materials and pre-stressed concrete for public utilities
Prospecting Minerals
This category pertains to activities involved in the appraisal of the quality and quantity of minerals in a particular area. Some of these activities include geological, geochemical, or geophysical surveying; drilling; pitting; or any other method related to surveying and appraising the quality of mineral ores in the Kingdom. Given that Thailand is rich in mineral deposits, activities in this realm provide value to the Thai economy as it contributes towards the country’s exports. As such, the government has provided incentives for investments in this sector through the Board of Investment.
Conditions
This category pertains to activities involved in the appraisal of the quality and quantity of minerals in a particular area. Some of these activities include geological, geochemical, or geophysical surveying; drilling; pitting; or any other method related to surveying and appraising the quality of mineral ores in the Kingdom. Given that Thailand is rich in mineral deposits, activities in this realm provide value to the Thai economy as it contributes towards the country’s exports. As such, the government has provided incentives for investments in this sector through the Board of Investment.
Conditions
- Licenses for prospecting mineral ores must be obtained prior to applying for BOI promotion.
- Projects engaging in these activities are not eligible for merit-based incentives.
Potash Extraction and/or Dressing
Potash is the collective name given to a group of minerals that contain potassium typically used for industrial purposes and to promote plant growth in agriculture. An example of a commonly used potash is potassium chloride (KCl), also known as sylvate. Potash can be mined either using conventional or solution methods. The former uses large machinery to extract the ore and cut into the ore body while the latter involves pumping hot water underground to dissolve the ore into a brine solution which is then pumped up to the surface to be processed in large cooling ponds. Thailand is known to have large deposits of potash, particularly in places such as Sakhon Nakhon. The Thai government provides incentives for potash extraction through the Board of Investment.
Conditions
Potash is the collective name given to a group of minerals that contain potassium typically used for industrial purposes and to promote plant growth in agriculture. An example of a commonly used potash is potassium chloride (KCl), also known as sylvate. Potash can be mined either using conventional or solution methods. The former uses large machinery to extract the ore and cut into the ore body while the latter involves pumping hot water underground to dissolve the ore into a brine solution which is then pumped up to the surface to be processed in large cooling ponds. Thailand is known to have large deposits of potash, particularly in places such as Sakhon Nakhon. The Thai government provides incentives for potash extraction through the Board of Investment.
Conditions
- Licenses for mining or mining subleasing ores must be obtained prior to applying for BOI promotion.
Production of goods derived from glass or ceramic
Glass and ceramic have become ubiquitous materials used for various fields, notably for construction, kitchenware, sanitaryware, and electronics. The production of both glass and ceramic involve similar processes which comprises of melting raw materials and molding them into a usable material or a finished product. Thailand’s demand for glass and ceramics has increased significantly primarily due to the growth of the real estate sector as well as demand from overseas. The government has therefore encouraged and promoted projects in this industry to contribute towards the country’s economy. Through the Board of Investment, the government has indicated a desire to welcome foreign investors into large-scale projects within this sector.
Conditions
Glass and ceramic have become ubiquitous materials used for various fields, notably for construction, kitchenware, sanitaryware, and electronics. The production of both glass and ceramic involve similar processes which comprises of melting raw materials and molding them into a usable material or a finished product. Thailand’s demand for glass and ceramics has increased significantly primarily due to the growth of the real estate sector as well as demand from overseas. The government has therefore encouraged and promoted projects in this industry to contribute towards the country’s economy. Through the Board of Investment, the government has indicated a desire to welcome foreign investors into large-scale projects within this sector.
Conditions
- Processes must include melting (for glass), firing (for ceramics), and/or annealing processes.
Production of fire-resistant materials or heat insulation products
Several industries require fire-resistant or heat-insulating materials to solve issues pertaining to high temperatures and mitigate the risk of fires. These materials can be used for wires, cables, and other equipment that are typically exposed to high temperatures or flames. Examples of these products include heat resistant tapes, sealants, high temperature ropes, and building materials. These products are produced either as finished goods to be sold to the market or auxiliary materials for creating finished goods. The government therefore promotes this activity and welcomes foreign investors into large-scale projects in this sector.
Conditions
Several industries require fire-resistant or heat-insulating materials to solve issues pertaining to high temperatures and mitigate the risk of fires. These materials can be used for wires, cables, and other equipment that are typically exposed to high temperatures or flames. Examples of these products include heat resistant tapes, sealants, high temperature ropes, and building materials. These products are produced either as finished goods to be sold to the market or auxiliary materials for creating finished goods. The government therefore promotes this activity and welcomes foreign investors into large-scale projects in this sector.
Conditions
- Projects engaged in this activity are not eligible for merit-based incentives.
Production of gypsum-derived products
Gypsum is an organic material that is typically white and powdery, primarily used in dentistry to create molds and casts. They can also be used as a binder for alloys as well as building materials, especially for interior design, due to its physical and chemical moldability. This plays a role in Thailand’s prolific medical and construction industries which are major contributors to the Thai economy. Through the Board of Investment, the Thai government incentivizes projects and foreign investors to participate in large-scale projects involving this activity.
Conditions
Gypsum is an organic material that is typically white and powdery, primarily used in dentistry to create molds and casts. They can also be used as a binder for alloys as well as building materials, especially for interior design, due to its physical and chemical moldability. This plays a role in Thailand’s prolific medical and construction industries which are major contributors to the Thai economy. Through the Board of Investment, the Thai government incentivizes projects and foreign investors to participate in large-scale projects involving this activity.
Conditions
- Projects engaged in this activity are not eligible for merit-based incentives.
Production of intermediate steel
Intermediate steel castings, or semi-finished casting products, are typically produced as raw materials to be used to make finished goods. They come in four primary forms: ingots, billets, blooms, and slabs. These products are essential for a number of different industries, particularly Thailand’s burgeoning real-estate sector. The Thai government, through the Board of Investment, provides privileges to large-scale projects involved in this sector and gives foreign investors incentives to invest in them.
Conditions
Intermediate steel castings, or semi-finished casting products, are typically produced as raw materials to be used to make finished goods. They come in four primary forms: ingots, billets, blooms, and slabs. These products are essential for a number of different industries, particularly Thailand’s burgeoning real-estate sector. The Thai government, through the Board of Investment, provides privileges to large-scale projects involved in this sector and gives foreign investors incentives to invest in them.
Conditions
- Follow-up processes must continue following the production of upstream steel within the same project.
Production of downstream steel
Downstream steel production involves processing materials into finished products to different customers such as other businesses, governments, or private individuals depending on the nature of the products made. Products can range from materials used to build motor vehicles to utensils and surgical equipment. Steel is a vital component for the Thai economy and present in all aspects of daily life. As a result, the Thai government has taken strides in promoting large-scale projects in the sector while providing incentives for foreign investors to invest in them.
- High tensile strength steel or downstream steel with follow-up production processes
- Tin mill black plates and/or cold-rolled electrical steel sheets
- Long steel or flat-rolled steel products for industrial use
- long steel or flat-rolled steel products for construction
Conditions
Downstream steel production involves processing materials into finished products to different customers such as other businesses, governments, or private individuals depending on the nature of the products made. Products can range from materials used to build motor vehicles to utensils and surgical equipment. Steel is a vital component for the Thai economy and present in all aspects of daily life. As a result, the Thai government has taken strides in promoting large-scale projects in the sector while providing incentives for foreign investors to invest in them.
- High tensile strength steel or downstream steel with follow-up production processes
- Tin mill black plates and/or cold-rolled electrical steel sheets
- Long steel or flat-rolled steel products for industrial use
- long steel or flat-rolled steel products for construction
Conditions
- Products must have an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) or no less than 700 MPa.
Production of cast irons or steel parts
Cast iron is used to make pots, pans, and utensils primarily for heating purposes. It is made from pig iron which is produced after iron ore is smelted in a blast furnace. They can also be used as engineering materials that can be applied to several products such as pipes, machine parts, and construction materials. The Thai government has promoted this activity through incentives given by the Board of Investment, thereby inviting foreign investors to invest into large-scale products in this field.
- The production of ductile cast steel parts)
- The production of other cast steel parts
Conditions
Cast iron is used to make pots, pans, and utensils primarily for heating purposes. It is made from pig iron which is produced after iron ore is smelted in a blast furnace. They can also be used as engineering materials that can be applied to several products such as pipes, machine parts, and construction materials. The Thai government has promoted this activity through incentives given by the Board of Investment, thereby inviting foreign investors to invest into large-scale products in this field.
- The production of ductile cast steel parts)
- The production of other cast steel parts
Conditions
- Projects must use an induction furnace at some point during the manufacturing process.
Production of coils
The production of coils, including the process of making wires and winding them, serves several purposes as they can be used as components for electronics, automotive parts, and other machinery parts. This typically involves the use of rotor straightening machines and other equipment to produce goods that are typically aimed at businesses or private individuals. The Thai government has promoted this activity through incentives given by the Board of Investment and invites foreign investment into large-scale projects in this field.
Conditions
The production of coils, including the process of making wires and winding them, serves several purposes as they can be used as components for electronics, automotive parts, and other machinery parts. This typically involves the use of rotor straightening machines and other equipment to produce goods that are typically aimed at businesses or private individuals. The Thai government has promoted this activity through incentives given by the Board of Investment and invites foreign investment into large-scale projects in this field.
Conditions
- Projects engaged in this activity are not eligible for merit-based incentives.
Production of construction materials and pre-stressed concrete for public utilities
Thailand’s emphasis on improving public utilities and infrastructure has led to a surge in demand for construction, thereby increasing the demand for construction materials. These include utilities such as electricity, gas, water, sewage, and communications services, meaning activities in this field should pertain to providing materials for the abovementioned utilities. The Thai government provides incentives for potential investors in large-scale projects in this field through the Board of Investment and encourages projects to be set up in Special Economic Zones around the country or in ‘Model Cities’ in the southern-most provinces of the Kingdom.
Conditions
Thailand’s emphasis on improving public utilities and infrastructure has led to a surge in demand for construction, thereby increasing the demand for construction materials. These include utilities such as electricity, gas, water, sewage, and communications services, meaning activities in this field should pertain to providing materials for the abovementioned utilities. The Thai government provides incentives for potential investors in large-scale projects in this field through the Board of Investment and encourages projects to be set up in Special Economic Zones around the country or in ‘Model Cities’ in the southern-most provinces of the Kingdom.
Conditions
- A factory must be established in a Special Economic Zone or in ‘Model Cities’ in the southern-most provinces, including Nong Chik district in Pattani province, Betong district in Yala province, or Sungai Kolok in Narathiwat province.