Upon your arrival in Bangkok, Thailand, you will most likely be greeted by a cheery 7-Eleven sign. Huh? you wonder to yourself, slightly puzzled. I thought I just left the States!

Your surprise will undoubtedly wear off -- or grow, depending on your disposition -- as you come to realize that there is, in fact, a 7-Eleven store on nearly every block (recent studies reveal that there are over 4,000 7-Eleven outlets in Thailand). Moreover, you are confronted with a number of McDonalds, Burger King, Subway and KFC restaurants -- as well as, of course, a fair share of Starbucks outlets (a franchise that many traveling Americans would be alarmed not to see, in light of the modern worker's craving for coffee).

Franchise relationships are, unsurprisingly, very popular in Thailand. The franchise relationship allows local shop-keepers to acquire rights to new technologies, know-how, intellectual property and other valuable assets which, in the course of helping them build and retain successful businesses, ultimately bolsters the country's economy.

As it stands, Thailand's economy is currently undergoing rapid expansion. In 2002, there were more than 220 franchisors represented in Thailand, sporting over 7,000 franchisees; the number has certainly grown since then. The most popular franchises in Thailand lie within the food-service industry, followed by the retail and service industries.

Besides being a desirable foreign market in its own right, Thailand is also viewed as a gateway for trade with southern China, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Burma.

Noted below are some of the franchises currently in Thailand.