World Bank Says Thailand Could Become a High-Income Country by 2037

The World Bank Group said in a new report released at the 2026 Bangkok Business Summit that Thailand could accelerate its transition to a high-income, innovation-driven economy. According to Sina Finance, the report said Thailand's next stage of development must rely on technology adoption, innovation, improved labor skills, higher domestic value added, more competitive companies, and high-productivity cities to drive stronger productivity growth. It said that if the reforms are implemented, Thailand's per capita GDP could grow 5.4% annually and the country could join the ranks of high-income economies by 2037. Stephen N. Ndegwa, director of the World Bank's Thailand and Myanmar division, said the World Bank Group will work with the Thai government, the private sector, and other partners to support reforms, raise productivity, strengthen competitiveness, and create more quality jobs.