SET-listed WHA Corporation, Thailand's biggest developer of built-to-suit logistics facilities, wants the government to relax its mandatory 14-day quarantine for foreign business people after at least 30 overseas companies interested in investment in the country were deterred by the policy.
The companies, mostly WHA clients, want to spend a few days in the country signing contracts to buy land at the company's industrial estates. They view the 14-day period as too cumbersome.
They also want to sign business contracts with other local companies and are waiting to travel to Thailand, WHA said.
"These are Chinese, Taiwanese and Japanese investors in the electronics and automotive businesses," said Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, WHA chairwoman and group chief executive. "They want to fly to Thailand, but they don't want to deal with a 14-day state quarantine."
WHA said executives asked the company to update them on the government's measures to support and allow foreign investors to travel to Thailand during the pandemic.
Ms Jareeporn said many foreign companies want the government to reduce the quarantine period to 1-3 days.
"The investors are not tourists, so they cannot stay in state quarantine for 14 days, because this can affect their business," she said.
WHA expects the government to consider more relaxed measures to better facilitate foreign investment in Thailand, especially implementing special screening for foreign business people.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha recently visited the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and met many investors, including executives of WHA Corporation.
Ms Jareeporn said she suggested the government strengthen the cooperation between state agencies and the private sector to further develop the EEC, build confidence among businesses and attract more foreign direct investment.
"WHA asked the government to consider reducing the 14-day state quarantine, as this will benefit economy," Ms Jareepon said. "However, the final decision is the prime minister's."
In related news, WHA Premium Growth Freehold and Leasehold Real Estate Investment Trust (WHART) plans a fifth capital increase to invest in three projects worth 3.2 billion baht in total.
Anuwat Jarukornsakul, chief executive of WHA Real Estate Management, said the company plans to increase capital by issuing 255.2 million shares under a trust fund.
The three new projects are two WHA logistics centres (Laem Chabang 1 and Laem Chabang 2) and the third-phase development of the existing WHA KPN logistics centre on Bang Na-Trat Road.