Somkid Urges Thai Capital Market to Refocus on National Development
Former Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak called for Thailand's capital market to shift focus from index movements to fundraising for national development, urging stronger governance and structural reform. He warned that without addressing deep‑rooted issues, the market will fail to attract long‑term investment and future‑oriented businesses. The remarks were made at the SET’s event honoring Professor Sangwiean Inthravichai on October 7, 2026.
Somkid reiterated that the Thai capital market should ask what the SET was created for and how well it meets future economic needs, especially as investment habits shift toward foreign stocks via online platforms while new industries remain underrepresented. He cautioned against assuming the stock market or economy will improve on its own without addressing structural problems, noting foreign investor groups view Thailand as having limited growth prospects compared to Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Assadáset Khongsiri, Managing Director of the SET, said that over the past two years he has studied Professor Sangwiean’s ideas, finding the principles of correctness, honesty, and transparency aligned with the exchange’s current focus on Trust and Integrity. The SET has outlined a direction of becoming a "Trusted Gateway to Inclusive" market, aiming to strengthen credibility and attract sustainable investment.
