Thailand AI and digital transformation trends

Thailand is experiencing a significant rise in digital and artificial intelligence (AI) investments. Data from the Board of Investment indicates that digital projects accounted for approximately 76% of total investment applications in the first half of 2026, totaling 1.12 trillion baht.

While the country is emerging as a strategic hub for AI infrastructure like data centers, stakeholders are focusing on how to translate these investments into productivity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Despite representing 99.5% of Thai businesses, SMEs contribute only 35.3% to the national GDP due to barriers in technology access and skills.

To address these gaps, initiatives have emerged to bridge the divide between technological potential and practical application. The Big Data Institute (BDI) launched ‘The UP 2026’ project to provide intensive training and mentorship to entrepreneurs, helping them use data and AI to solve operational problems. Concurrently, business leaders such as Saha Pathanapibul PLC (SPC) are emphasizing the need to combine AI data analysis with human judgment and entrepreneurial skills, focusing on intergenerational knowledge sharing to navigate digital disruption.