Bangkok: The government is boosting Thai businesses amidst a new wave of investment, approving 55 projects to upgrade AI and automation systems, and training over 10,000 highly skilled professionals.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Lalida Periswiwatana, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, announced that the government is advancing its efforts to ensure Thai businesses benefit from the rise of new industries and investments. This initiative is facilitated through the National Competitiveness Enhancement Fund for Target Industries, designed to assist Thai companies in investing in research and development, digital technology, automation, and artificial intelligence. The initiative also focuses on cultivating highly skilled personnel to help businesses boost productivity, reduce costs, and engage more in high-value supply chains.
On September 9, 2026, the Sub-Committee on Recruitment and Negotiation, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, granted approval for 55 new projects. These initiatives include 48 projects aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of Thai entrepreneurs (Business Transformation) and 7 projects focusing on developing highly skilled personnel for modern industries (Skill Bridge).
The Business Transformation measures have approved 48 projects with an investment of 3,540 million baht and a grant of 1,663 million baht. These projects encompass research and development, improving business efficiency with modern technologies, and transitioning to new and green industries. The aim is to equip Thai entrepreneurs with the technology and efficiency needed to thrive in future industries.
Alongside previously approved projects, the Business Transformation measures have supported 66 projects with a total investment of 5,806 million baht and a support budget of 2,796 million baht. The Board of Investment (BOI) anticipates that these projects will increase entrepreneurs' revenue by approximately 3,900 million baht annually and boost domestic procurement of raw materials, parts, and services by over 7,100 million baht each year. This indicates that the investment benefits will extend beyond the promoted companies, linking Thai parts manufacturers, suppliers, and service businesses within the supply chain.
Additionally, the initiatives are expected to create approximately 1,500 jobs, both operational and highly skilled, and transfer knowledge to over 3,800 entrepreneurs in the Thai supply chain. This will enhance opportunities for Thai companies to upgrade production standards and participate in higher value-added segments of the supply chain.
The government is also expediting the readiness of Thai people for industrial changes. The Skill Bridge program approved 7 additional projects with a support budget of 307 million baht, aiming to develop 10,180 personnel in target industries. Including previously approved projects, there are now 42 projects under the Skill Bridge program, with a total support budget of 2,029 million baht, targeting the development of 76,728 personnel.
Human resource development programs undergo rigorous evaluations regarding curriculum standards, industry relevance, trainer expertise, and training readiness, ensuring the acquired skills are applicable in the industry and enable Thai workers to secure jobs with higher skills and value.
Ms. Lalida emphasized the government's focus on attracting investment to create more opportunities for Thai businesses and citizens. The aim is to expedite the access of Thai entrepreneurs to AI, automation, research, and new technologies and nurture a workforce with industry-relevant skills. This approach ensures that as new industries grow in Thailand, Thai businesses can integrate into the supply chain and benefit from the growth.
The Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office highlighted that, including both the Business Transformation and Skill Bridge measures, 108 projects have received support, totaling 4,825 million baht. Of these, 55 are newly approved projects as of September 9, 2026, contributing to the cumulative total of approved projects.
The government's strategy is to promote investment while strengthening the domestic economy by upgrading the technology of Thai companies, developing human resources, increasing domestic purchasing, and transferring knowledge. The goal is for Thailand to not only serve as an investment base but also to have Thai entrepreneurs and personnel who can grow and add value alongside future industries.