Thailand eyes $80 billion in semiconductor investment by 2050 under new strategy

Bangkok, Thailand - Thailand has unveiled its first comprehensive national strategy for the semiconductor and advanced electronics industry, aiming to generate $80 billion in cumulative investment and $150 billion in annual industry revenue by 2050. The strategy, approved by the National Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics Policy Board chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, outlines a long-term framework to build an integrated domestic ecosystem encompassing chip research and design, front-end manufacturing, assembly, packaging, testing, and high-value electronics applications.

The three-phase roadmap envisions reinforcing Thailand's assembly and testing base by 2030, scaling advanced packaging capabilities and establishing front-end wafer production by 2040, and achieving a complete domestic supply chain by 2050. Priority technology platforms include photonics for AI and data centers, power semiconductors for electric vehicles and power grids, and sensors for connected devices and automation.

To support implementation, the strategy will leverage five coordinated mechanisms: tax incentives, grants and low-interest financing, workforce development with industry and academic partners, upgraded research and chip-design infrastructure, and investment-ready infrastructure, including cluster sites and disaster-resilience systems. The board also approved a workforce program to develop 86,600 people, including 84,900 skilled personnel and 1,700 advanced researchers, by 2030.

Foreign investment momentum continues, with Infineon Technologies opening its first Thai factory in Samut Prakan to produce power modules for electric vehicles, energy storage, and advanced electronics. Other notable companies operating in Thailand's expanding ecosystem include Foxsemicon Integrated Technology, Analog Devices, Zhen Ding Technology, Terahop, and Malaysian Pacific Industries (MPI).

The Made in Thailand chip initiative aims to create a dependable workforce pipeline and provide investors with a clear view of technology priorities, infrastructure commitments, and workforce development plans through 2050.