Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra thanked Google for placing trust in Thailand’s potential for supporting Google’s business, following the official announcement on Google’s investment of one billion USD (35,000 million baht) in Thailand.

Mrs. Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, on 30 September 2024 paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Paetongtarn, on the occasion of her visit to Thailand to discuss progress of the company’s investments in the country.

On the same day, the Prime Minister hosted a dinner reception for Mrs. Porat and her team at the Santi Maitri Building, Government House. In her remarks at the event, she stated that, in November 2023, Google entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society of Thailand, aimed at strengthening Thailand’s digital competitiveness and accelerating its cloud-first digital transformation. Strengthening the digital economy is one of the key priorities for driving Thailand’s transformation.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn said, “My government aims to empower every Thai citizen with the digital literacy needed to boost self-improvement, productivity, and innovation –  thereby reducing inequalities and providing greater opportunities for all.

“Thailand not only offers resilient digital infrastructure and stable utilities, but also upholds technological neutrality. Our continuous growth in digital demand is well supported by an extensive 5G network and a digitally active population. We will continue to expand clean energy initiatives and to refine the regulatory landscape to foster a thriving digital ecosystem.”

The Prime Minister explained that Thailand was actively working on establishing clean energy mechanisms, such as the Direct Power Purchase Agreement (Direct PPA) and expanding the use of new sources, which would provide investors with access to clean energy.

She said, “One key initiative is our Cloud First Policy, which will enhance government digital services, data governance, and cybersecurity by adopting flexible regulatory approaches suitable for the digital era.

“Many more laws and regulations are being improved with the aim of aligning with international standards, boosting business confidence, and ultimately creating a supportive environment for digital innovation.”

Google and the Thailand Board of Investment have been working closely together to explore the establishment of the first Data Center in Thailand.

The Prime Minister also urged Google to continue to explore collaboration opportunities with educational institutions in Thailand, enhancing the digital skills of Thailand’s future workforce, and preparing them for the rapidly evolving digital industries.