Thailand is the world’s 21st best country overall, according to a new US magazine survey published Thursday.
The US News & World Report's study called Best Countries sampled the perceptions of more than 16,000 people in four global regions, asking them to rank 60 pre-selected countries on a range of criteria. It then compiled a list of rankings in each category, and one overall ranking.
Six Asean members featured in the study, with only Singapore finishing ahead of Thailand, in 15th place overall.
Malaysia was ranked 28th, followed by Vietnam (32), the Philippines (33) and Indonesia (42). Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Brunei were not included in the study.
Thailand was ranked in the top 10 of five individual categories: 10th place in the Open For Business section, eighth for Heritage, sixth for Best Countries to Invest In, and fourth for both Adventure and Movers, the latter of which focuses on rising economies.
The best country in the world overall was judged to be Germany.