Google has announced plans to invest US$1 billion in Thailand and build data centers and cloud regions in Bangkok and Chonburi.
The move is expected to increase Thailand’s GDP by US$4 billion by 2029 and create an average of 14,000 jobs annually from 2025 to 2029.
The investment is aimed at meeting the growing demand for cloud services in Southeast Asia.
The initiative also includes a program to accelerate AI adoption and digital skills in Thailand, building on Google’s long-term presence in the country.
google has been operating in Thailand for 13 years and has trained more than 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 that outlined plans for digital infrastructure development, responsible AI adoption, and accessible digital skills.
Google also aims to expand its AI skills training program to reach an additional 150,000 Thais by 2026, building on existing efforts such as the Samart Skills program.
Additionally, Google is collaborating with local partners in Project SEALD to develop an open-source Thai dataset for large-scale language models to drive greater inclusivity and expressiveness in AI.
Thai Prime Minister Phaethongthan Shinawatra said:
“The Royal Thai Government is excited about Google’s continued partnership to strengthen the digital economy, especially our efforts over the past five years to train millions of Thais in critical digital skills, and to help even more people. We are deeply grateful for the latest plans that will provide us with the tools and knowledge we need for tomorrow’s work.
Google’s investment in the Chonburi and Bangkok data center and cloud regions, coupled with Thailand’s growing expertise in cloud computing and AI, is fully consistent with the country’s cloud-first policy. ”
Ruth Porat, president and chief investment officer of Alphabet and Google, said:
“These investments will enable Thai businesses, innovators and communities to harness the power of cloud and AI technologies.
Our commitment to making digital skills available to everyone will drive economic growth and help build a more inclusive and prosperous digital future for people and organizations across Thailand. ”
Featured Image: (From left): Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google; Prime Minister of Thailand Pethunthaan Shinawatra.
