Google has pledged a significant investment of USD $1 billion to bolster Thailand’s digital infrastructure. This investment will focus on enhancing cloud and data center facilities in Bangkok and Chonburi. The announcement took place at Government House, attended by the Prime Minister of Thailand, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google.
This strategic investment aligns with Google’s objective to address the increasing demand for cloud services in Southeast Asia and globally. Projections suggest that this move could add USD $4 billion to Thailand’s GDP by 2029 and create around 14,000 jobs annually from 2025 to 2029.
Google plans to establish its first data center in WHA industrial estate in Chonburi’s Eastern Economic Corridor and a new cloud region in Bangkok. This upgraded infrastructure aims to meet the rising demands for Google’s cloud capabilities and AI innovations, as well as its widely-used services like Search, Maps, and Google Workspace.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra voiced optimism about Thailand’s expanding digital sector. “Thailand is fast becoming a digital hub in Southeast Asia, propelled by a talented workforce and investments in technology infrastructure from industry leaders like Google,” she said. The Royal Thai Government appreciates Google’s efforts in training millions of Thais in critical digital skills over the past five years and its plans to equip more citizens with necessary knowledge.
Ruth Porat emphasized Google’s dedication to the region and the impact of such investments. “Google’s infrastructure investments in Thailand represent a major milestone in our commitment to expand opportunities for Thais in the digital age,” she noted. Google’s initiatives to make digital skills accessible to all aim to drive economic growth and create an inclusive digital future.
As part of its strategy, Google plans to continue investing in AI skills development in Thailand. The company aims to train 150,000 more Thais by 2026 in collaboration with local organizations. Key initiatives include launching the AI Essentials curriculum and the Gemini Academy AI skilling program, which has already trained 20,000 educators since 2023.
Google is also working on making AI advancements equitable and culturally relevant. Collaborations with local partners such as Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology and KASIKORN Business-Technology Group aim to improve Thai language datasets for better AI training. This initiative is part of Google’s Project SEALD, which seeks to create a more inclusive AI ecosystem in Southeast Asia.
This investment comes after a collaboration agreement with the Royal Thai Government in November 2023. The agreement includes commitments to build digital infrastructure, support responsible AI adoption, and promote cloud-first policies to make digital skills more accessible.
