Thailand has recently secured two significant investments that will further establish its position as a hub for datacenters and semiconductor manufacturing. Equinix, a California-based datacenter company, has committed to investing 16.5 billion baht ($490 million) over the next ten years. This investment is seen as a strategic move to position Thailand as a digital hub for the Greater Mekong Subregion, which includes countries like Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and parts of China connected by the Mekong River.
Equinix has purchased 18,700 square meters of land near Bangkok to build two datacenters, which will have the capacity for over 3,375 cabinets. The first phase of the project, valued at 7.18 billion baht ($213 million), is expected to be operational by 2027. In addition to Equinix, Mektec, a printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturer, has also decided to invest 920 million baht ($27.3 million) to meet the growing demand for electronic devices, particularly in the electric vehicle sector.
The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) highlighted Thailand’s status as the leading PCB producer in the ASEAN bloc and a top five global player. Currently, there are 47 projects seeking investment promotion, with a combined value of 173 billion baht ($5.13 billion). In line with these developments, Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra recently established a National Semiconductor Board, which he will personally chair. This board, comprising key government and industry figures, aims to position Thailand as a key player in semiconductor manufacturing within the region. The prime minister’s active involvement underscores the government’s strong commitment to this objective.
The National Semiconductor Board is responsible for formulating industry policies, devising investment and workforce development strategies, and enhancing the semiconductor supply chain. It will evaluate semiconductor-related proposals and present them to the cabinet for consideration. These initiatives are part of Thailand’s broader strategy to attract investment, foster innovation, and drive economic growth in the technology sector.
In other news, the investment landscape in Thailand continues to evolve, with a growing number of international companies expressing interest in establishing operations in the country. This trend underscores Thailand’s attractiveness as a business destination and its potential to emerge as a regional leader in technology and innovation. As the government works to create a conducive environment for investment and development, Thailand is poised to capitalize on its strengths and position itself as a key player in the global tech industry.
