The Board of Investment (BoI) in Thailand is expediting its initiative to encourage investments in data centers and cloud services, aligning with global trends and the government’s push to boost digital technology.
According to Narit Therdsteerasukdi, the BoI’s secretary-general, data centers and cloud services play a crucial role in supporting businesses on digital platforms and advancing the country’s ambitions in artificial intelligence.
Therdsteerasukdi mentioned, “Data centers and cloud services will serve as essential infrastructure for the growth of digital businesses.”
The BoI noted a keen interest from tech giants such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google, and Microsoft in investing in Thailand due to the government’s clear stance supporting data center expansion and attractive investment incentives.
Under BoI approval, 37 investment projects have been given the green light, encompassing the establishment of data centers and cloud service-related ventures. The cumulative investment amounts to 98.6 billion baht.
AWS, for instance, disclosed plans to allocate up to 200 billion baht for developing data centers in Thailand, starting with an initial investment of 25 billion baht for constructing three data centers.
Additionally, other companies, including NextDC from Australia, STT GDC from Singapore, and Evolution Data Centre from Singapore, have committed significant investments in Thailand following BoI’s investment incentives.
Moreover, companies like Supernap (Switch) from the US, Telehouse from Japan, and One Asia from Hong Kong are also planning substantial investments in the region.
Google and Microsoft are in discussions with the government regarding their investments in data center infrastructure, further showcasing the growing interest in the sector.
The BoI intends to host new roadshows to attract more foreign investments, especially in S-curve industries. The authority is set to engage with potential investors in Osaka, Japan, and the Middle East to further promote investment opportunities.
