Thailand Pushes ‘Made-in-Thailand Chips’ Vision, Targets $79 Billion Semiconductor Investment by 2050
Thailand has unveiled the first draft of its National Semiconductor Roadmap 2050, a 25-year strategy aimed at transforming the country from a contract assembler into a technology owner under the concept of “Made-in-Thailand Chips.” Reviewed on January 7 by the National Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics Industry Policy Committee, the plan targets more than THB2.5 trillion ($79 billion in investment between 2026 and 2050, training over 230,000 skilled workers and building a complete semiconductor ecosystem. Developed with consulting firm Roland Berger, the roadmap focuses on five high-potential chip segments—power, sensors, photonics, analogue and discrete chips—linked to Thailand’s strengths in automotive, electronics, telecom, data centres, AI and medical technology. In the initial five years, emphasis will be on OSAT, IC design and advanced electronics, while gradually pushing into upstream wafer fabrication.
The strategy comes amid intensifying regional competition, with Vietnam and Malaysia accelerating their own semiconductor ambitions. Vietnam aims to become a global chip leader by 2050 through phased expansion in design, fabrication and OSAT, backed by strong FDI inflows and integration with EV and AI industries, though talent shortages and energy stability remain concerns. Malaysia, meanwhile, is strengthening its high-value economy through targeted funds, co-investment programs and R&D support under its National Semiconductor Strategy, positioning itself as a leading ASEAN hub alongside Singapore. Against this backdrop, Thai authorities stress that foreign investment must be paired with technology transfer and stronger local participation to build future national champions and enhance long-term competitiveness.
https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/news/policy/40060967Top of Form
Editor’s Note: Thailand has unveiled its National Semiconductor Roadmap 2050, targeting $79 billion in investment, 230,000 skilled workers, and a full chip ecosystem to shift from contract assembly to technology ownership under the “Made-in-Thailand Chips” vision. Competing with Vietnam and Malaysia’s semiconductor ambitions To compete with Vietnamese and Malaysian semiconductor sectors, Thailand emphasizes foreign investment tied to technology transfer and local participation to build national champions and long-term competitiveness.
Thailand Courts Indian Investors to Boost High-Tech Ambitions in Medical, EV and Semiconductor Sectors
Thailand is intensifying efforts to attract Indian investment in high-technology industries as part of its strategy to position itself as a regional innovation hub. The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI recently conducted a high-level outreach mission to India, holding discussions with 15 major Indian companies in Hyderabad and Mumbai between March 24 and 27. Led by BOI Secretary-General Narit Therdsteerasukdi, the delegation promoted Thailand’s strengths and investment incentives in priority sectors such as medical devices, electric vehicles (EVs and semiconductors—areas where Indian firms have strong global capabilities. The push aligns with Thailand’s broader objective of anchoring future industries in Southeast Asia and strengthening bilateral economic ties with India.
Medical devices and pharmaceuticals drew the strongest interest, with companies such as Sahajanand Medical Technologies, MSN Laboratories, ACG Capsules and Natural Remedies outlining plans for manufacturing, R&D and research collaboration in Thailand. In the automotive sector, talks with Tata Motors focused on EV and commercial vehicle expansion for right-hand-drive markets. Semiconductor engagement included discussions with the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA, paving the way for joint investment promotion activities in Bangalore later this year, while Tessolve Semiconductor plans to open a testing and engineering services centre in Thailand by year-end. The investment drive coincides with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Thailand in early April and builds on a decade of Indian investments, with 161 BOI-approved projects worth over 13 billion baht, underscoring the deepening economic partnership between the two countries.Top of Form
https://thaitimes.com/thailand-enhances-efforts-to-attract-indian-investment-in-high-tech-sectors
Editor’s Note: Thailand is stepping up efforts to attract Indian investment in medical devices, EVs, and semiconductors, with the BOI delegation meeting 15 major Indian firms in Hyderabad and Mumbai to highlight incentives and collaboration opportunities. Strong interest from companies in pharmaceuticals, automotive, and semiconductors—alongside upcoming joint + investment promotion activities in Bangalore and new facilities in Thailand—underscores the deepening economic partnership, backed by over 161 BOI-approved Indian projects worth 13 billion baht.
Thailand Accelerates Energy Transition at IEEE PES GTD Asia 2025 Roundtable
Thailand’s push toward carbon neutrality gained momentum at IEEE PES GTD Asia 2025, where senior government officials, utility leaders, industrial players, and global technology providers convened to align policy, technology, and market readiness. The high-level discussions highlighted unprecedented engagement across the energy ecosystem, focusing on practical and scalable pathways to decarbonization while safeguarding energy security and economic competitiveness. Participants underscored the urgency of grid modernization, renewable integration, and regulatory clarity to support Thailand’s evolving energy landscape.
Speakers from EGAT, PTT, and leading utilities outlined a phased energy transition strategy, prioritizing renewables in the near term while exploring emerging technologies such as hydrogen, carbon capture, and small modular reactors for long-term baseload power. Technology providers, led by Schneider Electric, demonstrated how digitalization, automation, and electrification can make sustainability commercially viable through lower lifecycle costs and improved efficiency. The forum reinforced Thailand’s growing role as a regional energy leader, emphasizing that sustained international collaboration and pragmatic policy reform will be critical to achieving the country’s carbon-neutral ambitions. Policy reform is one of the two keys
https://www.nationthailand.com/business/tech/40059422
Editor’s Note: Thailand’s carbon-neutral drive gained momentum at IEEE PES GTD Asia 2025, where government, utilities, and industry leaders discussed scalable pathways to decarbonization, emphasizing grid modernization, renewable integration, and regulatory clarity. A phased strategy prioritizing renewables, alongside emerging technologies like hydrogen and carbon capture. highlighted Thailand’s growing role as a regional energy leader, with digitalization and international collaboration seen as key to long-term sustainability. delete and change to: It’s clear that the sustained international collaboration and pragmatic policy reform will be critical to Thailand’s sustainable development.
Thailand Showcases Regional Energy Leadership at IEEE PES GTD Asia 2025 in Bangkok
Thailand reinforced its position as Southeast Asia’s energy transition leader as Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon opened the IEEE PES GTD Asia 2025 conference in Bangkok on November 27, drawing more than 10,000 participants and 400 companies from over 40 countries. Held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, the four-day event highlighted Thailand’s ambition to drive carbon neutrality through clean energy investment, advanced infrastructure, and regional collaboration. Minister Auttapol described the conference as a strategic platform to accelerate technological change, strengthen long-term energy security, and support sustainable economic growth.
At the forum, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT outlined its roadmap to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, including large-scale renewable integration, grid modernisation, and emerging technologies such as small modular reactors, floating solar, hydrogen, and energy storage systems. International experts underscored the growing role of digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and resilient grid design in managing rising electricity demand across Southeast Asia. With strong participation from utilities, global technology firms, and policymakers, IEEE PES GTD Asia 2025 positioned Thailand at the forefront of regional efforts to build a secure, low-carbon, and future-ready energy system.
https://www.nationthailand.com/business/tech/40059055
Editor’s Note: Thailand reinforced its role as Southeast Asia’s energy transition leader at IEEE PES GTD Asia 2025 in Bangkok, where over 10,000 participants and 400 companies from over 40 countries discussed carbon neutrality, clean energy investment, and regional collaboration. EGAT’s net-zero roadmap and international experts’ insights on renewables, emerging technologies, and digitalisation highlighted Thailand’s ambition to build a secure, low-carbon, and future-ready energy system.
Thailand Targets 2.5 Trillion Baht in Semiconductor Investment by 2050
Thailand has unveiled a long-term national strategy to boost semiconductor investment to 2.5 trillion baht by 2050, aiming to develop more than 230,000 skilled workers and establish a fully integrated semiconductor ecosystem. The plan was announced after a meeting of the National Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics Policy Committee, chaired by caretaker Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, which reviewed a draft strategy prepared by the Board of Investment (BoI with phased milestones set for 2030, 2040, and 2050.
BoI Secretary-General Narit Therdsteerasukdi said the strategy would strengthen Thailand’s position as a regional hub for chip production, focusing on power semiconductors, sensors, photonics, and discrete and analog chips aligned with the country’s strong electronics manufacturing base. In the near term, Thailand will prioritise assembly and testing, IC design, and advanced electronics, while gradually expanding into upstream activities such as wafer fabrication. Backed by robust infrastructure, deep supply chains, and rising global demand from sectors including electric vehicles, renewable energy, and AI, the initiative builds on strong investment momentum and aims to secure Thailand a key role in the global semiconductor supply chain over the coming decades.
Editor’s Note: Thailand has launched a national strategy to attract 2.5 trillion baht in semiconductor investment by 2050, aiming to train 230,000 workers and build a fully integrated chip ecosystem with phased milestones through 2030, 2040, and 2050. The plan prioritizes assembly, testing, IC design, and advanced electronics in the near term, while gradually expanding into wafer fabrication to position Thailand as a key hub in the global semiconductor supply chain.
Agentic AI and Sustainability Seen as Key Growth Drivers for Thailand’s AI Startups
Thailand’s AI startups must embrace agentic artificial intelligence, multi-agent systems, and stronger security and privacy frameworks to remain competitive, according to industry leaders speaking at a 2026 outlook seminar organised by the AI Entrepreneur Association of Thailand. Sathapon Patanakuha, chief executive of Guardian AI Lab, said the industry is moving rapidly towards autonomous, interoperable AI agents capable of operating across systems, enabling new models such as agentic commerce. He cautioned that as AI agents increasingly interact with one another, new security challenges will emerge, making “Know Your Agent” verification essential to ensure trust and safety.
Industry executives also highlighted practical applications and sustainability as major opportunities for growth. Winn Voravuthikunchai, chief executive of Botnoi Group, said AI agents are already delivering measurable returns in sectors such as healthcare by augmenting, rather than replacing, human workers, while multi-purpose, collaborative agents will define the next phase of development. Warodom Khamphanchai, chief executive of AltoTech Global, pointed to energy optimisation and self-driving buildings as a high-potential market aligned with global net-zero goals, while Wisesight CEO Kla Tangsuwan urged startups to focus on revenue-generating use cases and attract foreign investment to support long-term AI innovation in Thailand.
Editor’s Note: Thailand’s AI startups are urged to adopt agentic AI, multi-agent systems, and stronger security frameworks to stay competitive, with “Know Your Agent” verification seen as vital for trust and safety. Industry leaders highlighted sustainability and practical applications—from healthcare augmentation to energy optimisation and self-driving buildings—as key growth drivers, while stressing the need for revenue-focused use cases and foreign investment to sustain long-term innovation.
Thailand Emerges as Key Player in Asia’s Rapidly Expanding Fintech Ecosystem
Asia’s fintech sector continues to reshape global financial services, driven by rapid adoption of digital payments, real-time transactions, and cross-border financial technologies, with Thailand increasingly positioned as a regional standout. The Asia-Pacific region accounted for $12.8 trillion in retail cross-border payment outflows in 2024, led by innovations such as interoperable payment systems, digital wallets, and blockchain-based solutions. Initiatives like Project Nexus and the widespread use of platforms such as Alipay, GrabPay, and Paytm underscore Asia’s leadership in digital finance, even as regulatory fragmentation and technological gaps remain challenges to deeper regional integration.
Within this dynamic landscape, Thailand has emerged as a rising fintech hub, supported by high financial inclusion, near-universal mobile penetration, and proactive regulatory support from the Bank of Thailand. Flagship initiatives such as PromptPay, cross-border QR payments, and exploration of stablecoins and central bank digital currencies have strengthened the country’s digital finance infrastructure, attracting fintech assets worth nearly $29 billion in 2023. Industry leaders note that while Thailand has made significant progress, sustained growth will depend on regulatory harmonisation, cybersecurity readiness, talent development, and the ability of local startups to scale beyond domestic markets, positioning the country to play a lasting role in Asia’s fintech future.
https://www.nationthailand.com/business/tech/40060648
Editor’s Note: Asia’s fintech sector is reshaping global finance through digital payments, real-time transactions, and cross-border innovations, with Thailand emerging as a standout hub supported by strong financial inclusion, mobile penetration, and proactive regulation. Flagship initiatives like PromptPay, cross-border QR payments, and digital currency exploration have attracted nearly $29 billion in assets, though sustained growth will hinge on regulatory harmonisation, cybersecurity, talent development, and scaling startups beyond domestic markets.
Siam Piwat Partners with Google Cloud to Scale Enterprise-Wide AI Across Retail and Real Estate
Siam Piwat Group, Thailand’s leading real estate and retail developer and operator of landmark destinations such as Siam Paragon and ICONSIAM, has announced a major expansion of its digital strategy through a deepened partnership with Google Cloud. The collaboration, led by Siam Piwat and its digital and innovation arm Xponential, positions the group as Thailand’s only global destination developer to pioneer enterprise-wide artificial intelligence under Google Cloud’s PanyaThAI program. Following the successful migration of the ONESIAM SuperApp to an in-house SaaS platform, the initiative marks a shift from fragmented legacy systems to a unified, AI-driven digital ecosystem.
The partnership has already delivered operational AI use cases, including AI-powered search and personalization, intelligent campaign management, and vision-based automation for loyalty services within the ONESIAM SuperApp. Looking ahead, Siam Piwat plans to accelerate the deployment of agentic AI, enabling predictive recommendations, automated content creation, and real-time translation to enhance customer and tenant experiences. Executives from both companies said the collaboration moves beyond experimentation to scalable, enterprise-grade AI applications, reinforcing Siam Piwat’s ambition to use data and AI as core drivers of innovation, efficiency, and long-term business value.
https://www.nationthailand.com/pr-news/pr-news/40059865
Editor’s Note: Siam Piwat Group has expanded its digital strategy through a partnership with Google Cloud, becoming Thailand’s only global destination developer to pioneer enterprise-wide AI under the PanyaThAI program and migrating its ONESIAM SuperApp to a unified, AI-driven ecosystem. The collaboration has already delivered AI-powered personalization, campaign management, and automation, with plans to deploy agentic AI for predictive recommendations, content creation, and real-time translation to drive innovation and long-term business value.
IRENA Says Round-the-Clock Renewable Energy Can Power Malaysia’s Expanding Data Centre Sector
Malaysia’s fast-growing data centre industry could be sustainably powered by round-the-clock renewable energy solutions, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA. Speaking at the IRENA Assembly during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026, IRENA Director of Engineering Dr Ibraheem Almansouri said continuous renewable energy—combining solar and wind with energy storage and smart grid systems—can provide the constant, reliable electricity required by data centres while also lowering long-term costs and emissions.
Dr Ibraheem highlighted Malaysia as a key market, citing rising electricity demand driven by economic growth, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence services, which are expected to push data centre capacity to more than quadruple after 2026. While Malaysia has yet to launch a dedicated RTC renewable project, IRENA is actively involved through partnerships and power purchase agreements, including Masdar’s 200-megawatt floating solar project in Pahang, set to be Southeast Asia’s largest. He noted that the main challenge lies not in technology but in institutional readiness, stressing that close coordination between grid operators, developers, and policymakers will be crucial to unlocking RTC renewable energy’s full potential for Malaysia’s data-driven economy.
Editor’s Note: IRENA says Malaysia’s rapidly growing data centre industry could be powered sustainably by round-the-clock renewable energy combining solar, wind, storage, and smart grids to ensure reliable, low-cost electricity. While projects like Masdar’s 200MW floating solar in Pahang highlight potential, institutional readiness and close coordination among stakeholders remain key to unlocking RTC renewable energy for Malaysia’s data-driven economy.
Malaysia Shortlists Four Bidders for First Grid-Scale Battery Storage Program
Malaysia has shortlisted four bidders under its first large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS competitive solicitation, marking a major milestone in strengthening grid stability as renewable energy capacity expands. The Energy Commission (Suruhanjaya Tenaga selected the projects from 28 applications under the inaugural Malaysia Battery Energy Storage System (MyBeST program launched in November 2024. The program will award four grid-connected BESS facilities in Peninsular Malaysia, each with a capacity of 100MW/400MWh, for a total of 400MW and 1,600MWh, all scheduled to be commissioned in 2027.
The shortlisted bidders are consortia of Blueleaf Energy–Universal Peak and ERS Energy–Gamuda Berhad, along with ERS Energy and Leader Energy as standalone bidders. Each project will be built, owned, and operated by the successful bidders, using different battery technologies to evaluate performance under Malaysia’s grid and climatic conditions. Aligned with the National Energy Transition Roadmap, which targets 70% renewable capacity and net-zero emissions by 2050, the MyBeST program is designed to support frequency regulation, energy shifting, and peak demand management, positioning Malaysia to proactively manage grid challenges arising from rapid solar power deployment.
Editor’s Note: Malaysia has shortlisted four bidders—Blueleaf Energy–Universal Peak, ERS Energy–Gamuda Berhad, ERS Energy, and Leader Energy—for its first grid-scale battery energy storage program under the MyBeST initiative. The four 100MW/400MWh projects, totaling 400MW and 1,600MWh, will be commissioned in 2027 to enhance grid stability, support renewable integration, and advance Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap toward 70% renewables and net-zero emissions by 2050.
XPENG Partners with EPMB to Launch EV Manufacturing in Malaysia
Chinese electric vehicle maker XPENG has partnered with Malaysian manufacturing group EP Manufacturing Berhad (EPMB to localise EV production in Malacca, with mass production scheduled to begin in 2026. The project marks XPENG’s second manufacturing base in the Asia-Pacific region after Indonesia, and its third globally following Austria. The new facility is designed to support an integrated ecosystem covering local production, sales, charging infrastructure and customer operations, strengthening XPENG’s market presence in Southeast Asia.
XPENG vice president James Wu said EPMB’s manufacturing capabilities and aligned vision made it an ideal partner, enabling the company to respond faster to regional demand and deploy its intelligent vehicle technologies more effectively. The Malaysia project builds on XPENG’s broader Southeast Asia strategy, including a recent partnership with Singapore-based Charge+ to expand EV charging infrastructure. That collaboration will add nearly 3,800 charging points across the region and establish at least 20 high-power DC supercharging sites in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, with charging capacity of up to 480kW.
https://www.evinfrastructurenews.com/ev-technology/xpeng-to-begin-malaysian-ev-production-in-2026
Editor’s Note: XPENG has partnered with Malaysia’s EP Manufacturing Berhad to establish an EV production facility in Malacca, set to begin mass production in 2026 as part of its Southeast Asia expansion. The project complements XPENG’s collaboration with Charge+ to deploy nearly 3,800 charging points and 20 high-power DC supercharging sites across the region.
Malaysian Businesses Brace for Surge in Power Demand as Energy Transition Accelerates
Malaysian businesses are preparing for a sharp rise in electricity consumption over the next three years, driven by the expansion of renewable energy, digitalisation and artificial intelligence, according to new research by EY. The study found that 91% of companies expect electricity use to increase by 2028, while 75% foresee more complex energy needs due to volatile energy costs, supply reliability concerns and mounting decarbonisation pressures. Sectors such as manufacturing and IT anticipate double-digit growth in power demand, reflecting the growing impact of electrification, electric vehicle adoption and AI-enabled operations across the economy.
The findings align with Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap and the government’s Budget 2026 priorities, which reinforce energy strategy as both a growth and brand imperative. More than 80% of businesses are seeking digital and AI-enabled tools to manage energy more efficiently, while over 83% plan to increase investment in electrification and emissions reduction. With companies accounting for more than three-quarters of national electricity demand, EY noted that collaboration between businesses, energy providers and policymakers will be critical to balancing rising demand with affordability, reliability and sustainability as Malaysia moves towards its long-term renewable energy and net-zero goals.
Editor’s Note: EY research shows 91% of Malaysian businesses expect electricity use to rise by 2028, with manufacturing and IT anticipating double-digit growth driven by renewable energy, electrification, EV adoption and AI. Aligned with Malaysia’s energy transition roadmap, over 80% plan to invest in digital tools and emissions reduction, making collaboration with policymakers and providers vital to balance demand with affordability, reliability and sustainability.