Microsoft and the Royal Thai Government have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at propelling Thailand into a digital-first, AI-driven future. Under this agreement, Microsoft pledges to establish new cloud and AI infrastructure within the country, offer AI training opportunities to over 100,000 individuals, and bolster the burgeoning developer community.
According to Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, Thailand stands at the threshold of an extraordinary opportunity to embrace a digital-first, AI-driven trajectory. The planned establishment of a new datacenter region, coupled with substantial investments in cloud and AI infrastructure and training initiatives, underscores Microsoft’s enduring commitment to Thailand. These endeavors are poised to empower both public and private sector entities in Thailand, enabling them to usher in new levels of impact and growth.
Microsoft’s digital infrastructure commitment encompasses the establishment of a new datacenter region in Thailand. This move will expand the accessibility of Microsoft’s advanced cloud services, ensuring enterprise-grade reliability, performance, and compliance with data residency and privacy standards.
This initiative responds to the escalating demand for cloud computing services from enterprises, local businesses, and public sector organizations in Thailand, while also positioning the nation to capitalize on the vast economic and productivity opportunities afforded by cutting-edge AI technologies.
To cultivate a skilled, AI-ready workforce, Microsoft has announced a broader commitment to provide AI training opportunities to 2.5 million individuals across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states by 2025.
In Thailand specifically, this initiative is expected to benefit over 100,000 individuals, enhancing their proficiency in AI. Notably, Microsoft’s efforts will extend to the tourism sector through the AI Skills for the AI-enabled Tourism Industry program, a collaborative endeavor with Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Ministry of Labour, and the Technology Vocational Education Training Institute.
This program aims to equip young entrepreneurs and youths in tourism businesses across various provinces with essential AI skills, facilitated by 500 trained instructors. The learning modules will be made accessible through partner platforms to ensure sustainability and scalability.
Microsoft’s commitment to fostering Thailand’s developer community remains steadfast, with initiatives such as AI Odyssey set to empower 6,000 Thai developers to become AI subject matter experts. The significance of developers in shaping Thailand’s digital-first, AI-powered future was underscored by Nadella.
Furthermore, Microsoft’s collaboration with Thailand’s National Cyber Security Agency aims to bolster the nation’s cybersecurity posture in the AI era, while its engagement with the Ministry of Finance seeks to leverage AI for enhanced data collaboration across agencies, thereby informing more inclusive policy development for Thailand’s economy.
