New Google Thailand Chief Predicts Strong Growth for Kingdom’s Digital Economy
Google’s Thailand country lead says digital commerce and cloud adoption to drive Bangkok’s tech-led rebound
Rafael Scislowski, who assumed the role of country manager for Google Thailand two months ago, has expressed confidence that Thailand’s digital economy is set to expand robustly despite broader economic headwinds.
Speaking in Bangkok ahead of the end-of-year business cycle, he cited recent data showing Thailand’s digital ecosystem remains Southeast Asia’s second-largest.
The forecast for 2025 places its value at around fifty-six billion U.S. dollars — a sixteen percent rise from the prior year.
Officials point to surging e-commerce, especially video-driven commerce, as a central engine of growth.
The e-commerce market is projected to reach thirty-three billion dollars this year, with video-commerce sellers alone surging 175 percent to reach 850,000 — making Thailand the regional leader in video-based online shopping.
Scislowski noted this reflects growing consumer comfort with digital purchasing, particularly among younger demographics, and strong internet and payment infrastructure.
He also pointed to the increased momentum behind digital infrastructure and cloud services following Google’s major investment announcements in Thailand.
Last year, Google committed one billion dollars to establish its first domestic data-centre and cloud region — a move aligned with the government’s “cloud-first” ambition to make the kingdom a regional tech hub.
The investment is expected to support thousands of jobs and underpin the delivery of AI-enabled services and enterprise cloud adoption across sectors.
Thailand’s business, tech and government leaders have welcomed the optimism, arguing it signals a strategic shift from traditional sectors to a more resilient, innovation-driven economy.
For companies and startups alike, expanded access to cloud computing, scalable infrastructure and digital platforms offers new growth opportunities — even as global economic headwinds weigh on exports and tourism.
With e-commerce, cloud infrastructure and digital services all accelerating, the new head of Google Thailand sees the country’s online economy not as a short-lived trend, but as a lasting foundation for business, employment and technological growth.
The coming months will test whether this confidence holds — but for now, Bangkok appears ready to position itself at the forefront of Southeast Asia’s digital transformation.
Speaking in Bangkok ahead of the end-of-year business cycle, he cited recent data showing Thailand’s digital ecosystem remains Southeast Asia’s second-largest.
The forecast for 2025 places its value at around fifty-six billion U.S. dollars — a sixteen percent rise from the prior year.
Officials point to surging e-commerce, especially video-driven commerce, as a central engine of growth.
The e-commerce market is projected to reach thirty-three billion dollars this year, with video-commerce sellers alone surging 175 percent to reach 850,000 — making Thailand the regional leader in video-based online shopping.
Scislowski noted this reflects growing consumer comfort with digital purchasing, particularly among younger demographics, and strong internet and payment infrastructure.
He also pointed to the increased momentum behind digital infrastructure and cloud services following Google’s major investment announcements in Thailand.
Last year, Google committed one billion dollars to establish its first domestic data-centre and cloud region — a move aligned with the government’s “cloud-first” ambition to make the kingdom a regional tech hub.
The investment is expected to support thousands of jobs and underpin the delivery of AI-enabled services and enterprise cloud adoption across sectors.
Thailand’s business, tech and government leaders have welcomed the optimism, arguing it signals a strategic shift from traditional sectors to a more resilient, innovation-driven economy.
For companies and startups alike, expanded access to cloud computing, scalable infrastructure and digital platforms offers new growth opportunities — even as global economic headwinds weigh on exports and tourism.
With e-commerce, cloud infrastructure and digital services all accelerating, the new head of Google Thailand sees the country’s online economy not as a short-lived trend, but as a lasting foundation for business, employment and technological growth.
The coming months will test whether this confidence holds — but for now, Bangkok appears ready to position itself at the forefront of Southeast Asia’s digital transformation.
