Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has thanked all groups of Thai people for making Thailand recognized as one of the best countries in the world.

 

The Prime Minister referred to a recent study by the US News and World Report, which named Thailand among the best countries in the world. The study was conducted in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and global brand consultants BAV Consulting.

 

According to the report, Thailand ranked 21st in the Best Country Overall. It is listed in the top ten of all five individual categories: 10th place in the Open for Business section, eighth place for Heritage, sixth place for Best Countries to Invest in, and fourth place for both Adventure and Movers (this category focuses on rising economies).

 

The 2016 Best Countries report and rankings are based on how global perceptions define countries in terms of a number of qualitative characteristics, impressions that have the potential to drive trade, travel, and investment, and directly affect national economies. Sixty nations were measured in the inaugural report.

 

The "Best Countries” study sampled the perceptions of more than 16,000 people in four global regions, asking them to rank 60 selected countries on a range of criteria. Attributes were grouped into nine sub-rankings that rolled into the Best Countries ranking: Adventure, Citizenship, Cultural Influence, Entrepreneurship, Heritage, Movers, Open for Business, Power, and Quality of Life. Six ASEAN countries are featured in the study.

 

Government Spokesman Major General Sansern Kaewkamnerd quoted the Prime Minister as saying that the Government was pleased to hear the report and would continue to move the country forward. The Prime Minister pointed out that the country must not turn back to the cycle of conflicts that cause obstacles to development. Major General Sansern said that the report and rankings would be used as information to help in national development.

 

Meanwhile, Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Yuthasak Supasorn said that the list of rankings is great news for the Thai tourism industry, as it affirms a positive perception of Thailand among the international community. This report and the favorable rankings will certainly help add to the appeal of Thailand as a top destination to visit among travelers from the United States as well as countries across the globe.

 

Thailand was recently voted the Best Country in the World for Holiday in 2015, according to a survey conducted by Ultra Travel Middle East Magazine. Also in 2015, International Living, a North American-based magazine for retirees, named Thailand one of the world’s 25 best places to live in retirement. Thailand was also rated by the HSBC 2014 Expat Explorer survey the best destination for expatriates looking for an improved lifestyle at a low cost.