This week, Thailand is vowing to push ahead with its advanced technological ambitions, underscoring the recognition that the country risks falling behind if it fails to accelerate the adoption of deep tech.
Government Vows to Push Ahead with AI Passport
The government has been knee-deep in defending its 1.6 billion baht AI Passport scheme, a project that aims to provide five million Thais, only 10% of the working population, with a year’s access to Pro and Premium-tier AI tools. This week, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has said the project will proceed and that Thailand needs to remain competitive by catching up with AI advancements. The PM vows that the project will operate with transparency and in accordance with regulations, and says that the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) is responsible for the rollout.
PM shares ‘Made in Thailand’ chip vision for 2050
Separately, Prime Minister Anutin has also unveiled an ambitious vision for a ‘Made in Thailand’ semiconductor hub by 2050, aiming to produce homegrown chips to capture rising global demand.
The PM has signed an order to establish the National Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics Policy Committee to accelerate the government’s ambitions.
The scheme currently targets investment worth 2.5 trillion baht, and the upskilling of over 230,000 highly skilled workers in the field.
Pimjai Lee-issaranukul, Chair of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), says that promoting the home-grown semiconductor industry is key to sustaining Thailand’s competitiveness and to retaining investment demand for the country’s manufacturing industry.
Key Takeaway:
The government is pushing ahead with deep tech ambitions, in a move that highlights how technology is rapidly changing industries and the workforce in ways that await no developing economies. The two schemes illustrate Thailand’s ambition to reposition itself as a technology owner rather than as a user-and-assembler economy. The intention is clear, but both schemes share the same structural weakness: uncertainty in execution, which could limit a successful rollout.
