ABSTRACT
This chapter explores domestic and international expansion of Thai business groups through five approaches: (1) selecting and specializing by shifting business bases into the two primary fields of agro-industry and services; (2) leveraging political influence; (3) mergers and acquisitions (M&A); (4) overseas investment generally in the ASEAN community and specifically in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam (CLMV countries); and (5) foreign strategic alliances, principally with Chinese companies. How this expansion of economic power may help Thailand escape the middle-income trap is also examined.
