The Thailand semiconductor market is gaining momentum as the country positions itself as a significant player in the global semiconductor industry. With its strategic location, robust infrastructure, and skilled workforce, Thailand offers a competitive advantage amid global supply chain disruptions and rising demand for digital technologies. The government’s proactive approach, including the establishment of the National Semiconductor Board, is driving Thailand semiconductor market development and attracting foreign investments. The outlook for the Thailand semiconductor market is highly promising. The government's initiatives, including the formation of the National Semiconductor Board chaired by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, provide a structured approach to policy-making, workforce development, and supply chain enhancements. Thailand’s goal to attract investments from global semiconductor giants such as Analog Devices, Sony, Toshiba, Infineon, and Foxsemicon Integrated Technology will bolster its competitiveness in the global market.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira emphasized the significance of the Board of Investment's (BoI) role in offering incentives like tax exemptions to promote the semiconductor industry. With a strategic focus on attracting businesses from China and Taiwan and leveraging geopolitical shifts, Thailand is becoming an attractive destination for semiconductor production and R&D.
The Thailand semiconductor market is poised for robust growth, with expectations to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of X.88%, reaching a market volume of $XX.23 billion by 2027. In 2023, total investments in semiconductor production hit 800 billion baht, with notable contributions such as Sony Device Technology's 2.3 billion baht investment in a new semiconductor fabrication facility for automotive image sensors and laser diodes for data centers. The country's strategic initiatives aim to attract an additional 500 billion baht in semiconductor investments by 2029, focusing on power electronics for electric vehicles (EVs), data centers, and energy storage systems.
Key trends shaping the Thailand semiconductor market include:
The competitive landscape of the Thailand semiconductor market is becoming increasingly dynamic, with both multinational corporations and local enterprises enhancing their market presence. Key players include Sony, Toshiba, Analog Devices, Infineon Technologies, and Foxsemicon Integrated Technology. The establishment of the KMITL Academy of Innovative Semiconductor Manufacturing (KAISEM) further enhances Thailand's appeal to global semiconductor firms by offering tax incentives, subsidies, and robust infrastructure. Further, the BoI's strategy of organizing roadshows in the U.S. and Japan, coupled with the expansion of the Competitive Enhancement Fund, aims to attract more investments and create a favorable business environment for semiconductor companies.
The Thailand semiconductor industry is advancing rapidly through collaborative efforts between the government, academia, and the private sector. The Kutsari Project, which involves leading educational institutions such as KMITL, INAOE, and CINVESTAV, focuses on building an advanced R&D ecosystem for semiconductor design and production. Additionally, the National Semiconductor Board's initiatives to establish a strategic roadmap and support infrastructure development are crucial for long-term industry growth.