Thailand advances plan to become ASEAN semiconductor centre

The government of Thailand has established the National Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics Policy Committee to support the development of the country’s semiconductor sector and reinforce its ambition of becoming a regional manufacturing hub within ASEAN. The initiative is aimed at strengthening Thailand’s position in advanced technology industries and promoting sustainable economic growth, as reported by Vietnam News Agency (VNA), a partner of TV BRICS.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will chair the committee, while Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas has been appointed vice-chair. The body also includes senior representatives from the ministries responsible for foreign affairs, higher education, science, research and innovation, digital economy and society, energy, and industry, among other sectors linked to technological development.

The measure forms part of the government’s broader strategy to modernise the national economy and enhance competitiveness in future-oriented industries. Thailand is focusing on sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductors, biotechnology, clean energy, healthcare, and modern automotive manufacturing as new drivers of economic expansion.

Authorities emphasised that semiconductors are becoming increasingly important components across a wide range of industries, making long-term investment and coordinated policy planning essential. Earlier, Thailand introduced a roadmap aimed at transforming the country into ASEAN’s semiconductor and advanced electronics hub by 2050, with plans to attract US$76 billion in investment and develop more than 230,000 highly skilled specialists.

The policy is expected to strengthen industrial supply chains, support workforce development, and encourage innovation across priority sectors. Thai officials believe the initiative will contribute to the country’s industrial transformation and reinforce its role as a leading production base for semiconductor and advanced electronics technologies in the ASEAN region.