From the editor

Dear readers,

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a key accelerator in the adoption of technology across various industries around the globe, including Thailand. Digital lifestyles and businesses are swiftly growing and becoming inseparable in daily life.

The Thai government formulates a digital economy policy to boost economic growth and improve national development effectiveness. It is preparing a digital infrastructure and ecosystem to support economic activities and the smooth transition to “Digital Thailand” for a thriving digital economy and society.

Thailand’s digital economy is expected to contribute 25 per cent of the country’s GDP by 2027, driven by the growth of e-commerce, and enabled by high internet and mobile penetration as well as choices of e-payment systems, according to Thailand Board of Investment (BoI).

The demand for data centres and cloud services is increasing in Thailand as companies are highly dependent on computer systems and need digital security for driving their business operations. There are currently more than 30 data centres and cloud service providers, including both domestic and foreign operators.

Thailand’s data centre market value is expected to reach US$ 1,338 million by 2028 up from US$ 764 million in 2022, and is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8 % from 2022 to 2028, according to a report by RationalStat LLC.

The market of cloud services in Thailand is also getting highly competitive. According to research firm Gartner, spending on cloud services in Thailand is projected to reach 54.4 billion baht in 2023, up 31.8 per cent year-on-year.

Thailand’s data and cloud market offers business opportunities to foreign companies with attractive investment promotions. The BoI has provided promotional benefits for entrepreneurs who invest in data centres and cloud industries. These include tax-based incentives, such as an exemption of an eight-year corporate income tax with no cap as well as import duties on machinery together with non-tax incentives such as a permit to own land and bring skilled workers and experts into the country.

I trust you will enjoy an interesting and informative

Dr. Roland Wein