BOI Attracts Ray-Ban Parent Company to Invest in AI Glasses in Thailand Following Stake Acquisition in Top Charoen

Thailand is becoming a key destination for the AI Glasses industry after the Board of Investment (BOI) revealed that the Thai government has held discussions with EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of global eyewear brands Ray-Ban and Oakley, to expand investment in the production of "smart glasses" or AI Glasses in Thailand.

This development follows reports that EssilorLuxottica acquired shares in the Top Charoen eyewear chain to expand its market network and distribution channels in Thailand, reflecting the global eyewear leader's serious strategy to penetrate the ASEAN market.

The discussions took place when Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul led the "Thailand team" to meet with executives of leading French technology and industrial companies in Paris to attract investment in future industries to Thailand on 25 May.

AI Glasses: A New Market Share Thailand Is Gaining

EssilorLuxottica revealed plans to expand its AI Glasses production base in Thailand. This technology integrates electronic devices with high-end eyewear, allowing users to take photos, record audio, listen to music, operate AI assistants, translate languages, and retrieve information about what they see via voice commands.

This trend is being closely watched as the next generation of AI Devices, following Meta's collaboration with Ray-Ban to develop smart glasses. "Meta Ray-Ban" which has gained popularity worldwide and is viewed as a potentially key device in the AI era following smartphones. EssilorLuxottica has operated in Thailand for nearly 40 years, employing over 9,000 people, with cumulative BOI-promoted investments exceeding 16 billion baht.

Besides EssilorLuxottica, the Thai government also engaged with four other leading French companies, spanning industries from aviation and electric vehicles (EV) to cybersecurity and Digital ID solutions:

• Airbus Europe's largest aircraft manufacturer and defense systems provider, operating in Thailand for over 40 years. The company plans to expand Thailand's role as a digital aviation and modern aerospace technology hub, including Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and specialized engineering development. Currently, Airbus uses Thailand as a key operational base outside France and plans to increase engineering staff from 160 to over 200.
• Imerys A global leader in advanced materials for EV batteries, especially Conductive Carbon Black and graphite, which are critical to lithium batteries for electric vehicles. The Thai government aims to attract Imerys to complete the country's EV supply chain, as Thailand has become the largest EV manufacturing base in ASEAN. This investment would strengthen and complete the battery supply chain in Thailand.
• Thales A global leader in security technology and cybersecurity, providing services covering cyber defense, national defense systems, and electronic passport development. Thales proposed collaboration to develop Thailand's cybersecurity infrastructure and digital defense systems.
• IN Groupe A French leader in digital identity verification systems, specializing in electronic passports, digital ID cards, driver's licenses, and Digital ID systems for the public sector. IN Groupe proposed cooperation to develop Thailand's public digital identity system and position Thailand as a Secure ID testing center for the CLMV countries and ASEAN.

France Is Betting on Thailand

Over recent years, French companies have steadily expanded their investment base in Thailand across industries such as automotive, energy, and advanced materials, including Michelin, TotalEnergies, Valeo, Faurecia, and Saint-Gobain. The aviation and high-tech sectors are also increasing their presence. According to BOI data, from 2021 to the first quarter of 2026, there have been 93 investment projects from France seeking BOI promotion in Thailand, valued at over 29.2 billion baht.

This trend reflects not only foreign manufacturers relocating production bases but also Thailand being positioned as a new global technology supply chain hub—from AI devices and EV batteries to aerospace and digital infrastructure—in an era where global supply chains are being restructured.

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Ray-Ban's Parent Company Acquires Shares in Top Charoen; Eyes Major Deal in Thai Eyewear Market to Leverage Wearable Networks

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