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Thailand's Opportunities in the Global Semiconductor Industry

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Semiconductors, or chips, are crucial components in various devices, including electronics, communication tools, IT equipment, gaming devices, automobiles, medical instruments, machinery robots, and even military equipment. Given their significance, the semiconductor industry has become a key sector that many countries are actively investing in to increase production.

Investment Trends in Semiconductor Machinery and Equipment in Asia
The semiconductor industry is globally distributed, but Asia remains the leading region for production. Taiwan is a major global player, with TSMC commanding around 64% of the market share. Other notable Taiwanese companies include UMC, PSMC, and VIS. In 2024, the semiconductor industry is projected to increase investment by 4.2%, reaching a total of 24.9 billion USD. Thailand is also making strides in semiconductor investment, primarily focusing on assembly, testing, and design, making the country a key manufacturing base for leading global companies. Most recently, Sony Semiconductor Solutions has invested over 10 billion yen (approximately 2.5 million USD) to relocate its semiconductor production facilities to Thailand.

Innovations and Technologies Driving Semiconductor Industry Growth
The highly competitive nature of the semiconductor industry has prompted countries, including Thailand, to develop their own semiconductor industries to ensure domestic stability and gain a competitive edge in global markets. In addition to trade policies that provide advantages and secure production bases, the development of innovations and production technologies is crucial. This includes creating high-quality, small-scale chips in demand globally, establishing eco-friendly industrial estates, and developing integrated industrial estates to support large, medium, and small enterprises in improving their semiconductor production capabilities.

Thailand's Opportunities in the Semiconductor Industry
While Thailand is not a top global semiconductor producer, the country has significant potential to become a key player in the semiconductor supply chain and a production hub for leading global companies. Factors contributing to Thailand’s potential include:
  • Industrial Estates with Robust Infrastructure: Thailand boasts industrial estates with stable water management and electricity production, supporting large-scale industrial manufacturing. An example is 304 Industrial Park, which promotes the Eco Industrial Town concept, using clean energy and adhering to ISO 14001 environmental standards.
  • Labor Resources: Thailand offers a robust labor force of over 30 million workers, including unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, and expert labor. The government also supports developing highly skilled professionals at the university level to meet the demands of the growing semiconductor industry for both Thai and foreign investors.
  • Strategic Location and Natural Disaster Resilience: Thailand's geographic location shields it from severe natural disasters like hurricanes, typhoons, wildfires, and major floods. Combined with efficient disaster management systems within its industrial estates, production is rarely disrupted, as historical data suggests.
  • Investment Incentives: To encourage semiconductor production in Thailand, the government offers tax benefits, such as extending the corporate tax exemption for upstream semiconductor supply chain companies from 8 to 13 years. Additionally, foreign investors are allowed to own land in industrial zones, further encouraging foreign investment in the country.
304 Industrial Park: A Key Player in Supporting Semiconductor Growth
Thailand has demonstrated its capacity to support the growth of the semiconductor industry. One industrial estate that stands out in supporting semiconductor development is 304 Industrial Park. In addition to offering standard infrastructure and reliable power and water management, the park provides One Stop Service through a professional team that assists investors with every step of the process. This includes securing business licenses from the Board of Investment (BOI), obtaining land ownership rights for foreign investors, and acquiring factory operation permits—free of charge for industrial customers. This comprehensive support ensures that the semiconductor industry in Thailand can progress smoothly without delays.