TikTok recently unveiled plans to invest over THB 300 billion (approximately USD 8.8 billion) in Thailand over the next five years, aiming to establish the country as a regional technology hub through a significant Data Hosting project.
This endeavor has received preliminary approval from Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) for an initial phase worth THB 126 billion to install high-performance servers and equipment in a Data Center.
Jirayu Huangsub, a spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister, announced that Helena Lersch, Vice President of Public Policy at TikTok Technologies, held talks with Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand, during her recent visit to the country.
Mrs. Lersch declared TikTok’s substantial investment plans, emphasizing the enhancement of Thailand’s technology infrastructure, particularly the establishment of Data Hosting facilities to improve data management for users in Thailand and Southeast Asia. The broader goal is to position Thailand as a key technology center in the region.
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for TikTok’s commitment to building a Data Hosting project in Thailand and praised the platform’s initiatives in promoting Thai products through TikTok Shop.
Additionally, the creation of content highlighting Thai culture and tourism is expected to open new global market opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs and content creators.
Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary-General of the BOI, stated that TikTok will sustain its investment over the five-year period, with initial BOI-approved funding in the Data Hosting sector totaling over THB 126 billion.
TikTok is also collaborating to enhance digital skills among Thai personnel, promote tourism and Thai products via its platform, thus paving the way for new business opportunities for Thai SMEs and content creators on a global scale.
TikTok Pte. Ltd., known for its viral video content platform, will implement server and related equipment installations within high-efficiency Data Centers located in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Chachoengsao. The total investment for the project is THB 126.79 billion.
Last year, Thailand experienced significant investments in the digital industry, particularly in core infrastructure sectors like Data Centers and Cloud Services, with notable global companies from the US, China, Hong Kong, Japan, India, Australia, and Thailand itself committing to 16 projects totaling over THB 240 billion. These developments underline the digital sector’s leading role in attracting investments.
Moving forward, Thailand anticipates continued investments from leading global companies, spurred by the rising demand for digital technology use both domestically and within the ASEAN region, in response to the rapid growth of AI and the management of Big Data. These initiatives represent a pivotal step in Thailand’s evolution into a Digital Hub for the region.
