Thailand has approved a sweeping THB25 billion (US$774 million) investment to fast-track artificial intelligence (AI) development over the next two fiscal years, marking a significant step in its ambition to become a regional AI leader. 

Endorsed by the National Artificial Intelligence Committee (NAIC) under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), the plan forms part of the Kingdom’s National AI Programme, which aims to boost global competitiveness, improve public services, and enhance quality of life through AI adoption.

At the heart of the strategy is the creation of nine AI Centres of Excellence (CoEs) across key sectors, namely education, creative industries, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, manufacturing, Thai language processing, public sector computing, and product testing. A tenth CoE dedicated to AI safety and security has received preliminary approval. Each centre will submit detailed action plans by September 2025, with a focus on operational readiness and deployment.

Investment in AI skills, infrastructure, and innovation

Of the total budget, THB6 billion will fund AI workforce development, THB5 billion will go towards establishing and operating the CoEs, and THB2 billion will be used to build a National Data Bank to strengthen data infrastructure and policy. The government will also facilitate public-private AI consortia, encouraging collaboration between agencies and companies to speed up innovation and adoption.

The National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (NECTEC) is expected to lead multiple CoEs, particularly in medical technology, education, computing infrastructure, and AI product standards. Early priorities include integrating AI tools into healthcare to streamline regulatory approvals for AI-enabled medical devices and introducing AI curricula from primary schools to vocational training to ensure a long-term talent pipeline.

Thailand’s AI market is projected to reach THB114 billion by 2030, according to the Digital Economy Promotion Agency. This growth potential is backed by widespread public engagement, with more than 70% of Thais already using AI in daily life, while 92% of knowledge workers engage with AI tools at work.

Balancing growth with responsibility

While the investment signals strong momentum, officials acknowledge that ethics, skills gaps, and sustainability remain challenges. 

Thailand’s AI ethics framework, first approved in 2021, is expected to guide responsible deployment, with additional regulations under consideration. On the environmental front, the Kingdom is exploring green data centers and energy-efficient AI models to offset the rising energy demands of data infrastructure.

With its combination of targeted investment, sector-specific hubs, and cross-sector partnerships, Thailand is positioning itself to lead AI innovation in Southeast Asia, while also shaping an AI ecosystem that will be inclusive, ethical, and sustainable.

Source: