well as their range of activities which in effect limited the share of foreign banks at financial
assets to 5%. Whereas this figure was almost unchanged over decades, foreign banks are now
allowed to purchase some major stakes of local banks, to increase portfolio holdings in the
financial sector (up from 25 to 49%) and to operate somewhat more unrestricted with their own
entities. 2 Accordingly, foreign institutions have gained a market share of more than 15% and their
influence on the Thai financial system is stronger than ever before. 3