The Thai government is strategically advancing efforts to build confidence among foreign investors, especially in the high-tech industry, which is becoming a key driver of the global economy in the near future.
Recently, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithanprapas together with the Board of Investment (BOI) traveled to Washington, D.C., United States, to engage with major players in the semiconductor industry to attract investment in Thailand and develop the country as an important global supply chain hub.
From 13-17 April 2026, Ekniti Nitithanprapas and the BOI attended the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings 2026 in the US, marking a key opportunity to expand economic cooperation and open negotiations with leading companies in the semiconductor and automation industries.
The semiconductor industry is rapidly growing due to rising demand driven by advancements in digital technology and AI, with the global market expected to surpass one trillion US dollars by 2026, faster than many had previously anticipated.
This situation has prompted many countries to compete to attract investment in this industry to enhance technological capabilities, create added value, and strengthen long-term economic security.
During this trip, the Thai delegation held talks with leading US semiconductor companies to invite them to expand investments in Thailand and build long-term partnerships, including:
Besides meetings with major companies, the Thai delegation also met with the global semiconductor industry association SEMI, which connects operators across the chip supply chain with over 4,000 members worldwide. SEMI plays a key role in policy advocacy, setting technical standards, and organizing SEMICON, the largest semiconductor industry gathering in many countries.
BOI became a SEMI member in March and discussed cooperation to use SEMI’s network to access global semiconductor companies, including co-hosting SEMICON events in Thailand to elevate the country's global standing.
Additionally, the Thai delegation met with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (USCC), exchanging views with executives from leading companies such as Dow Chemical, Chevron, Netflix, PepsiCo, Visa, and IBM, all of which have operations in Thailand.
Discussions with the US Chamber and leading firms revealed that the US private sector views Thailand as a “regional business hub,” not merely a manufacturing base for export. This perspective highlights Thailand’s strategic importance in the global value chain and supports long-term investment attraction.
From these talks, investors expressed positive views on Thailand across several areas, key factors that enhance Thailand’s competitiveness globally, including:
Over the past five years (2021-2025), US investors submitted 232 investment promotion applications in Thailand worth more than 220.3 billion baht. In 2025 alone, there were 60 projects totaling 32.774 billion baht, mostly in electronics, semiconductors, digital technology, biotechnology, and food processing industries.
These figures reflect the confidence of US investors in Thailand’s potential as a production base and regional technology industry hub.
The push to attract the semiconductor industry is not only about increasing investment capital but also laying the economic foundation for Thailand’s new era, including creating high-quality jobs, upgrading workforce skills, developing continuous industries, and strengthening long-term economic security. In a volatile world with intense competition, positioning Thailand in the industry of the future is a crucial step that may shape the country's economy for decades to come.
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