Industrial projects worth 7.7 billion baht won approval for investment privileges in January, the first month of the new investment promotion policy focusing on skill improvements and technology transfers.
While the amount is lower year-on-year, Hirunya Suchinai, acting Board of Investment (BoI) secretary general, said it was to be expected.
She said the investment promotion policy had been shifted to favour industries that matched the country's needs and long-term goals of upgrading labour skills and knowledge, as well as promoting technology and innovation.
In the past, industrial privileges promoted labour-intensive industries and job creation in needy areas.
At its first meeting in 2015, the BoI approved investment privileges for 23 projects with a combined investment value of 77.23 billion baht.
Among them was a 2.39-billion-baht stoneware factory of Le Creuset Manufacturing (Thailand) Co Ltd, which uses high technology from Europe.
Sparktech (Thailand) Co Ltd was also granted privileges for the 3.7-billion-baht expansion of metal parts production.
Energy Absolute Plc also got the green light for 448.5 megawatts of wind-energy generation worth 26.27 billion baht.
Group 15 Co Ltd received a nod for the 9.9-megawatt expansion of refuse-derived fuel generation worth 1.25 billion baht.
Thai AirAsia X Co Ltd won the nod for air transport business worth 9 billion baht.
Thai Lion Mentari Co Ltd also won privileges for four air transport expansion projects worth a combined 17 billion baht.
Thai VietJet Air Joint Stock Co Ltd got privileges for the lease of five aircraft worth 5.32 billion baht.