Key facts
- Thailand should invest in front-end semiconductor manufacturing to build a comprehensive supply chain.
- A national policy committee has been established to accelerate Thailand's emergence as ASEAN's center for semiconductors.
- The government aims to attract 2.5 trillion baht in investment for the semiconductor and advanced electronics industries by 2050.
- The strategy focuses on developing "Made in Thailand" chips and moving beyond contract assembly.
- Thailand targets five key chip groups: Power, Sensor, Photonics, Analogue, and Discrete.
Thailand should invest in the front end of semiconductor manufacturing to build a comprehensive supply chain, according to Wirat Sri-amonkitkul, head of the Thai Semiconductor Industry Trade Association and managing director of Analog Devices (Thailand). The country aims to catch up with regional peers in the high-value sector.
Amid fierce global competition, Thailand has elevated semiconductor industry promotion to a national policy level. On June 14, 2026, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed Prime Minister's Office Order No. 192/2569, establishing the “National Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics Industry Policy Committee,” also known as the “National Semiconductor Board.” This committee is tasked with formulating strategy and accelerating Thailand’s emergence as ASEAN’s center for semiconductors and advanced electronics.
The committee includes representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Industry, the National Economic and Social Development Council, Office of the Vocational Education Commission, Microelectronics Technology Center, the Federation of Thai Industries, the Semiconductor Industry Association, and private sector experts. The Prime Minister chairs the committee, with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas serving as vice chairman. Narit Therdsteerasak, Secretary-General of the Board of Investment (BOI), acts as committee member and secretary.
The board's establishment is part of a long-term government strategy to attract 2.5 trillion baht in investment in semiconductor and advanced electronics industries and develop over 230,000 highly skilled personnel. The ultimate objective is to drive the production of “Made in Thailand” chips by 2050, aiming to elevate Thailand from a traditional electronics manufacturing base to a significant player in the high-value semiconductor global supply chain. The government views this industry as essential infrastructure for the modern economy, with the market projected to reach 1 trillion USD by 2030.
The committee's responsibilities include setting policy directions, master plans, and development goals; reviewing public sector plans; and integrating, monitoring, and evaluating the performance of related agencies. It may also appoint subcommittees to accelerate key issues such as investment promotion, talent development, R&D, and building the industrial ecosystem.
Thailand's semiconductor market is estimated at USD 8.46 billion in 2025, projected to reach USD 11.79 billion by 2030. Integrated circuits led the market with a 52% share in 2024, while automotive represented 26%. The country targets 600,000 EVs per year by 2026. A Hana Microelectronics–PTT joint venture is building the country’s first silicon-carbide wafer facility valued at THB 11.5 billion.
Execution will depend on talent, energy readiness, and investor confidence. A 2-billion-baht workforce development program aims to produce 100,000 high-skilled workers. A Thai delegation visited the US to meet firms including Phononic, GlobalFoundries, and Teradyne, inviting them to expand upstream chip manufacturing in Thailand.