BANGKOK, Oct 1 (TNA) – Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Monday expressed gratitude to Google after the tech giant announced a $1 billion investment in the country.
The investment will be used to build a data center and cloud region in Thailand, creating an estimated 14,000 jobs by 2029 and contributing approximately $4 billion to the Thai economy by that year.
Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, has visited Thailand to discuss the company’s investment plans and explore further collaboration to drive digital economic and social growth under the “Leave No Thai Behind” initiative.
The Prime Minister welcomed Google’s investment, highlighting the company’s trust in Thailand’s potential. She expressed confidence that the discussions would further strengthen the government’s partnership with Google. The government is committed to fostering closer cooperation in the long term and exploring ways to advance mutual collaboration for the benefit of all stakeholders, particularly focusing on the government’s Cloud First Policy. This policy aims to improve the efficiency, security, and comprehensiveness of government services for the public.
Porat congratulated the Prime Minister on assuming office and expressed enthusiasm about visiting Thailand. She noted that Google has had a long-standing partnership with Thailand and that this visit provided an opportunity to discuss the progress of their collaboration, especially following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Data Center and Cloud Region to Boost Digital Economy
The investment in a data center and cloud region is expected to significantly boost Thailand’s digital economy.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of strengthening the digital economy to drive Thailand’s transformation. The government aims to enhance digital capabilities to support personal development, operational efficiency, and innovation, thereby reducing inequality and creating more opportunities for everyone.
Thailand’s robust digital infrastructure, stable utilities, and commitment to technological neutrality, coupled with the growing demand for digital services, make it an attractive destination for tech investments. The government is also working to expand clean energy initiatives and improve the regulatory landscape to foster a thriving digital ecosystem.
Partnership to Benefit Both Thailand and Google
The Prime Minister encouraged Google to explore collaboration opportunities with Thai educational institutions to develop the digital skills of the future workforce and prepare for the rapidly evolving digital industry. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making Thailand a thriving hub for Google to promote the growth of both Thai people and businesses domestically and regionally. -819 (TNA)
