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Google has revealed plans to invest US$1 billion in Thailand, constructing a data center and cloud region in Bangkok and Chonburi.
This move is projected to boost Thailand’s GDP by US$4 billion by 2029 and create an average of 14,000 jobs annually from 2025 to 2029.
The investment aims to address the increasing demand for cloud services in Southeast Asia.
The initiative also includes programmes to accelerate AI adoption and digital skills in Thailand, building on Google’s long-term presence in the country.
Google has been active in Thailand for 13 years and has trained over 3.6 million Thais, including students, educators, small business owners, and developers. As part of this effort, Google’s Gemini Academy has trained 20,000 Thai educators since 2023, further highlighting its commitment to AI education.
This expansion follows an agreement with the Thai government in 2023, which outlined plans for digital infrastructure development, responsible AI adoption, and accessible digital skills.
Google also plans to expand its AI skills training programmes, aiming to reach an additional 150,000 Thais by 2026, building on existing initiatives like the Samart Skills programme.
Furthermore, Google is collaborating with local partners on Project SEALD to develop open-source Thai language datasets for large language models, promoting greater inclusivity and representation in AI.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand, said,
“The Royal Thai Government deeply appreciates Google’s ongoing partnership to strengthen our digital economy, particularly its efforts in the past five years to train millions of Thais in critical digital skills, and its latest plans to equip even more citizens with the tools and knowledge needed for the jobs of tomorrow.
Google’s investment in its data center and cloud region in Chonburi and Bangkok, respectively, coupled with growing Thai expertise in cloud computing and AI, are perfectly aligned with our national Cloud First Policy.”
Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, said,
“These investments will empower Thai businesses, innovators, and communities to harness the power of cloud and AI technology.
Google’s commitment to making digital skills accessible to all helps drive economic growth and create a more inclusive and prosperous digital future for people and organisations across Thailand.”
Featured image: (From left): Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google; and Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand.