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2026-07-30 04:29 UTC → 2026-07-31 05:10 UTC ·
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Thailand’s AI‑enabled export expansion accelerated in In July 2026 as the Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) approved nine AI‑related projects worth USD 1.99 billion across about US $1.99 billion, covering AI infrastructure, advanced electronics, aviation, clean energy and food processing. Japanese Datasection will build high‑performance GPU server facilities; smart food‑processing. Notable investors include Japan’s Datasection, South Korean Korea’s Doosan Electro‑Materials and Electro‑Materials, Taiwan’s Union Technology will supply copper‑clad laminates and prepreg for data‑centres. Swiss‑based Nestlé (Thai) confirmed Thailand, which will build a CHF 563 million (≈ USD 698 million) investment in a smart Nescafé plant, plant with AI‑driven automation and a CHF 100 million‑plus annual commitment to local coffee farmers. Additional approvals include Fulltech Fibre Glass, Thai Airways’ US$430 million aircraft lease and Lomrak Green Energy’s US$168.7 million wind‑farm project. The Intelligent Manufacturing Expo Southeast Asia (IME 2026) showcased around 150 firms presenting automation, AI, robotics and smart‑production solutions, highlighting the impact of earlier Chinese tech investment of US$2.15 billion. automation. The BOI reported a 37 % surge jump in H1 2026 promoted projects – 1,299 projects—1,299 applications totalling 1.473 trillion baht, driven primarily by digital and with AI and digital projects (1.115 accounting for 1.115 trillion baht). baht. The pipeline is projected to create roughly 82,000 jobs, generate about 3.8 trillion baht of annual domestic procurement and yield export earnings exceeding 1.2 trillion baht, with activity concentrated in central, eastern and northeastern Thailand. Data released on baht. By 23 July showed July, approved foreign‑direct investments of US$43.6 reached US $43.6 billion, of which AI and data‑centre projects accounted for comprised roughly US$33 billion. Singapore led FDI inflows with US$33.2 US $33 billion, followed led by the UK, China, Taiwan and Japan. Gulf Edge Singapore‑based inflows. The cabinet also adopted its first National Big Data Utilisation Strategy (2025‑2027) and Cognizant announced a strategic AI‑services partnership to build Thailand’s AI‑native economy. Concurrently, Thailand hosted between Gulf Edge and Cognizant was announced, while InfoComm Asia 2026 in Bangkok, attracting 6,638 professionals from 77 countries and emphasising highlighted AI‑enabled collaboration platforms, digital signage and workplace automation. On 27 July, Thailand’s cabinet platforms. Extending the push, the BOI announced on 31 July that it has approved its first national Big Data Utilisation Strategy (2025‑2027). 79 photonics projects worth 82.7 billion baht (≈US $2.3 billion) over five years. The initiative spans 12 fiber‑optic lines, 47 optical‑component factories and 20 transceiver production lines, projected to create more than 20,000 skilled jobs. Companies such as Lumentum (Thai affiliate), Silicetica, FabreNet, Trahop and Eopticlink will supply firms like Nvidia, Cisco and AWS, positioning Thailand as a regional full‑cycle photonics hub for AI data‑centres and high‑speed communications.