Speaking after a meeting with Industry Minister Kosit Panpiemras, Satit said the BoI would also rely on foreign operators doing business here to tell new foreign investors about the country.

"Communicating with foreign investors who have business in Thailand is a better way to get our message over. They can better explain the situation to new foreign investors," he said.

The first step will be a road show to industrial estates in Rayong, Chon Buri, Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani to explain government policy on projects to develop national productivity and technological innovation.

The BoI plans a road show to Europe next month.

Satit admitted that some overseas firms considering whether to invest in the Kingdom were worried, but he said most with business here understood the situation.

"We will adopt an aggressive strategy with industrial operators in Thailand, visiting them to inform them of our policy and

listen to their suggestions," he said.

A series of bomb blasts on New Year's Eve has hit the retail and tourism sector, but the effect on investment is not yet clear.

"We will spend some of our Bt500-million budget on improving investors' confidence, which we believe will maintain foreign investment in Thailand this year," Satit said, adding that the BoI targeted direct investment equal to last year's Bt500 billion.

Chalida  Ekvitthayavechnukul

The Nation