Significant investments enhance Thailand's position in PCB manufacturing
Thailand's printed circuit board (PCB) industry is experiencing rapid growth, drawing substantial foreign investment.
The Thai Board of Investment (BoI) notes a surge in PCB investments from China, Taiwan, Japan, and Hong Kong, with applications supporting industries like electric vehicles (EVs) and medical devices.
The BoI emphasizes the potential of PCBs to drive economic growth and support Thailand's ambition to be the leading PCB manufacturer in Southeast Asia and fifth-largest globally.
PCBs are critical components in various technologies, including EVs, smart electronics, and AI devices.
Flexible PCBs (FPCBs), used for their adaptability in design, are featured in smart lenses and EV batteries.
Investment incentives have been granted to Mektec Manufacturing Corporation (Thailand), a subsidiary of Japan's NOK Corporation, for boosting FPCB production with a 920 billion baht investment to meet EV demand.
Well Tek Electronics, a subsidiary of Welgao Electronics from China, commenced operations at the Rojana Industrial Park in Ayutthaya, investing 2.5 billion baht to produce multilayer PCBs for complex electronics.
This expansion aligns with Thailand's '30@30' strategy, aiming for EVs to comprise 30% of total auto production by 2030.
The growth is spurred by digital technology advances and geopolitical dynamics, attracting investors looking to mitigate trade conflicts.
Thailand offers a stable investment environment, appealing to global investors.
Singapore led the foreign direct investment with 181 billion baht in the first nine months of the year, followed by China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan.
The BoI's five-year strategy aims for 3.3 trillion baht in investments, supporting high-tech and green industries.
By September, new investments reached 1.5 trillion baht, driven by areas such as PCBs, data centers, and cloud services.
With 95 projects proposed in 2024, valued at 162 billion baht, Thailand's PCB industry is set for continued expansion.