Chinese-owned video platform TikTok has announced plans to invest $8.8 billion in artificial intelligence (AI) data centers across Thailand over the next five years, more than doubling its initial investment commitment.
The investment, led by ByteDance Ltd., aims to enhance domestic infrastructure and support Thailand’s rapidly growing digital economy.
Helena Lersch, TikTok’s Vice President of Public Policy, confirmed the commitment to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Bangkok on Friday.
However, she did not provide specific details about the investment's execution.
According to a report by The Edge Malaysia, this expansion follows the Thai government’s approval of TikTok’s initial $3.8 billion investment, signaling the country’s increasing importance in the Southeast Asian tech landscape.
Thailand has become a prime destination for major global tech companies like Microsoft, Nvidia, and Apple, all seeking to capitalize on the region’s accelerating digital transformation.
The Thai government has welcomed TikTok’s expanded investment, viewing it as a catalyst for AI development, content creation, and workforce skill enhancement.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn highlighted the plan’s potential impact in a statement on X.
In 2024, investment pledges in Thailand surged by 35%, reaching 1.14 trillion baht ($33.3 billion or RM148.79 billion)—the highest level since 2014. The government has set a target to attract at least one trillion baht in fresh investments this year as part of its broader strategy to position Thailand as a regional technology hub.
