Bangkok: Thailand is transcending its limitations as an agricultural country to become a global technology hub, particularly in the crucial field of semiconductors, under the strategy called “Chip Made in Thailand,” with the goal of becoming the center of ASEAN within the next 20 years (by 2050).
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pathom Intarodom, a member of the Digital Economy and Society Council, analyzed Thailand’s readiness through a “out of 10” score in four key areas, reflecting both strengths to be proud of and weaknesses that urgently need to be addressed. In hardware manufacturing, Thailand scored 8/10, showcasing its strong industry, essential on a global scale. However, in semiconductor design, the nation scored 3/10, indicating a lack of innovative thinking and reliance on foreign designs. Manpower and skills also received a low score of 4/10, highlighting a gap between the number of IT graduates and those ready to work. Lastly, in research and intellectual property, Thailand scored 3/10, emphasizing a need for more patents and original creations.
Lessons from Taiwan show the importance of government leadership and private sector involvement. Mr. Pathom highlighted Taiwan and Acer’s success, attributed to government support in infrastructure and incentives to attract top talent. For Thailand to achieve its semiconductor goals by 2050, the government must invest in five key areas: national strategy, supply chain readiness, pure water sources, energy, and workforce development.
In conclusion, the “Made in Thailand chips” initiative is not merely aspirational but requires significant effort and foundational support from the government to create a robust business ecosystem for the private sector.