Thailand has established a National Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics Policy Committee to coordinate the development of the country's chip industry, according to Thai officials and reports from Vietnam News Agency (VNA).
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will chair the newly formed committee, with Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas serving as vice-chair. TV BRICS reported, citing VNA, that the body includes senior representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs, higher education, science and innovation, digital economy, energy, and industry.
The committee is tasked with overseeing policy planning, investment coordination, and workforce development for Thailand's semiconductor sector, which officials have identified as a strategic priority for long-term economic growth. The initiative is part of a broader government strategy to modernise the national economy and reduce dependence on traditional industries such as agriculture and low-end manufacturing.
Under a roadmap previously announced by Thai authorities, the country aims to transform into ASEAN's semiconductor and advanced electronics manufacturing hub by 2050. The plan targets US6 billion in investment and the development of more than 230,000 highly skilled specialists over the coming decades. Multiple Thai media outlets have reported on the initiative, including Nation Thailand and Thai PBS World, with coverage focusing on the government push to attract investment across the full chip supply chain.
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has expressed support for the new board, according to reports. The FTI said the initiative could draw up to 2.5 trillion baht in investment for chips manufactured under a "Made-in-Thailand" label, and welcomed the creation of a single coordinating body to replace the fragmented policy approach that previously governed the sector.
Thailand already hosts significant electronics manufacturing operations, including assembly, testing, and packaging facilities for global semiconductor firms such as Western Digital, Seagate, and NXP Semiconductors. The new policy framework is intended to move the country further up the value chain, from back-end assembly into design, fabrication, and advanced packaging, areas where higher margins and greater strategic value reside.
The semiconductor push comes as Southeast Asian nations compete to attract investment in chip manufacturing amid ongoing global supply chain diversification. Malaysia, already a major player in semiconductor assembly and testing, has announced expanded incentives for wafer fabrication and chip design. Singapore has invested heavily in advanced foundry capacity, while Vietnam has courted chip designers and testing facilities with tax breaks and infrastructure commitments.
Thailand's strengths include a well-developed industrial infrastructure, strong automotive and electronics supply chains, and a central geographic location within ASEAN. However, analysts have noted that the country faces challenges including a shortage of engineering talent, higher electricity costs compared to regional peers, and the need to upgrade its intellectual property protection framework to attract leading-edge fabrication investment.
Thailand is also prioritising other advanced technology sectors alongside semiconductors, including artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, clean energy, healthcare, and modern automotive manufacturing. Authorities have said these sectors will serve as new drivers of economic expansion as the country transitions toward a more innovation-based economy.
Thai officials said the coordinated policy approach under the new committee is expected to strengthen industrial supply chains, support workforce upskilling, and encourage innovation across priority technology sectors.
Sources: TV BRICS/VNA, Nation Thailand, Thai PBS World, Bangkok Post
