The London Stock Exchange (LSE) and its private partners are inviting medium to large-sized Thai companies to list on the LSE and the Alternative Investment Market (AIM), as two Thai firms are in the final process of listing on the London bourses.
LSE Group and private advisor NOMAD and partners are holding a roadshow in Thailand.
This year, two Thai firms plan to raise funds and list on the London bourses: a restaurant and bar business, and an engineering and energy company.
Na-chanok Rattanadaros, president of Renaissance International Partners, said competition has increased in both the local and external landscape and mobilising funds for business expansion is the key to driving growth.
"Raising funds from global exchanges is another method corporates worldwide are considering, including listing on the LSE, which has no complicated rules, is convenient and quick," he said.
Companies interested in listing on the LSE and AIM can apply to list with private regulators that have been approved internationally, then do due diligence before filing for an initial public offering.
The listing process takes 4-6 months, said Mr Na-chanok.
More than 30% of listed firms on the LSE and AIM are international companies and the top five are from outside the UK.
TPC Power Holdings is expected to be the first Thai company to list on the AIM, which is a specialised unit of the LSE catering to smaller companies with more risk.
Chris Fielding, managing director of WH Ireland, said listing on UK bourses can be accomplished via private regulators or NOMAD, which has been authorised by the exchanges.
The listing rules are quite different compared with those of developing countries, which are stricter, said Mr Fielding.
"Several mid-sized and large Thai firms have expressed interest in listing on the LSE, and two companies are in the final process of listing," he said.
Worawuth Kongsil, senior partner of Winton Associates Ltd UK, said listing on exchanges in developed countries enhances a company's credibility.
More companies are interested in listing on these bourses because it is a convenient and fast method to raise funds.
In a related development, the Stock Exchange of Thailand, Bursa Malaysia Berhad, Indonesia Stock Exchange and Singapore Exchange announced their collaboration to set up the Asean-Interconnected Sustainability Ecosystem, aiming to advance the region's sustainable development via the implementation of common environmental, social and corporate governance methods.