Thailand Approves $29 Billion in Data Center Projects, Led by TikTok’s $25 Billion Expansion
May 11, 2026
Thailand Approves $29 Billion in Data Center Projects, Led by TikTok’s $25 Billion Expansion
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) has approved six major projects with a combined value of 958 billion baht, or approximately US$29 billion, marking one of the largest single waves of infrastructure investment in the country’s history. The approvals, which span data centers, renewable energy, recycling, and resource-based production, underscore Thailand’s aggressive push to become a leading digital economy hub in Southeast Asia. The decision comes as hyperscale cloud and AI service providers accelerate their regional expansion, driven by surging demand for artificial intelligence and data processing capabilities.
The largest project approved was from TikTok System (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a local subsidiary of China’s ByteDance, which plans to invest 842 billion baht, or about US$25 billion, in data center infrastructure. This investment far exceeds TikTok’s previously announced US$8.8 billion five-year plan and includes additional servers, data storage capacity, and processing infrastructure across Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Chachoengsao. The company has also committed to developing digital literacy and e-commerce curricula aimed at Thai entrepreneurs and workforce development. The BOI board, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithanprapas, also reviewed power readiness, clean energy access, and projects selected for the Thailand FastPass program.
Three of the six approved projects are in data center and data hosting services, collectively accounting for 913 billion baht, or about US$27 billion, of the total investment value. Among them, Skyline Data Center and Cloud Services Co., Ltd. received approval for a 46 billion baht project in Chachoengsao, designed to support an IT load of 200 megawatts. Meanwhile, Bridge Data Centres IIO (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a Singapore-based operator, received approval for a 24.6 billion baht project in Chonburi, with a planned IT load of 134 megawatts. These investments reflect Thailand’s growing appeal as a data center destination, even as it remains a smaller player compared to established hubs like Singapore and fast-growing markets like Malaysia.
Thailand’s data center push is part of a broader regional trend. According to Krungsri Research, investment has been moving from Singapore into Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand, as operators evaluate land availability, power costs, connectivity, and policy support. CBRE noted that Thailand is working to improve access to power and land for new projects, supported by recent subsea cable infrastructure investments. The BOI also approved several non-data center projects, including a 8.18 billion baht recycled plastic pellet production facility by PureCycle (Thailand) Co., Ltd. in Rayong, a 4.7 billion baht wind power project by Dan Khun Thot Wind One Co., Ltd. in Nakhon Ratchasima, and a 31.4 billion baht potassium chloride production plant by ASEAN Potash Chaiyaphum Plc. in Chaiyaphum.
Power and clean energy access remain central to Thailand’s investment strategy. The BOI board discussed electricity supply with the Ministry of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Commission, focusing on urgent power needs linked to incoming investment in the Eastern region. The board called for faster issuance of Thailand’s Power Development Plan, which is expected to guide long-term power-system planning, future demand, and new energy technologies. It also discussed Direct Renewable Power Purchase Agreements, which would allow private companies to buy and sell renewable electricity directly, and acknowledged Utility Green Tariff 2, a source-specific tariff designed to give companies more options for procuring clean electricity. The BOI was asked to coordinate with agencies on clean energy rules, including licensing conditions for foreign operators installing solar rooftops and self-generation under Independent Power Supply arrangements.
In addition to the six approved projects, the BOI selected nine more projects for the Thailand FastPass program, worth 52 billion baht, or about US$1.6 billion. The FastPass portfolio now covers 25 projects valued at 223 billion baht, designed to streamline approvals and permitting across agencies involved in strategic investments. Thailand’s latest approvals signal a clear intent to compete aggressively for global data center and AI infrastructure investment, positioning the country as a rising force in Southeast Asia’s digital economy.
Source: crnasia
