TikTok's $25B Thai Data Center Leads BOI Approvals

Thailand's Board of Investment (BOI) has greenlit six major projects totaling 958 billion baht (US$29 billion), with TikTok leading the charge through a massive data center expansion. This underscores Thailand's emergence as a regional hub for data centers, cloud services, and AI-driven digital infrastructure. The approvals, made at a board meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, also included the second batch of projects under the Thailand FastPass mechanism, aimed at expediting strategic investments. The BOI also discussed enhancing electricity readiness and clean energy access with energy agencies, crucial for attracting high-tech investments.

Among the approved projects, TikTok System (Thailand) Co., Ltd. will invest 842 billion baht (US$25 billion) to expand data storage and processing infrastructure across Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Chachoengsao. TikTok also committed to developing digital literacy and e-commerce curricula to bolster Thailand's digital workforce. Other data center projects include Skyline Data Center (US$1.4 billion) from DAMAC Group, and Bridge Data Centres (US$746 million) from Singapore. Additionally, PureCycle will invest US$248 million in recycled plastic pellet production, Dan Khun Thot Wind One will develop an 89-MW wind farm, and ASEAN Potash will produce potassium chloride.

The BOI also selected nine more projects for Thailand FastPass, bringing the total to 25 with combined investment of 223 billion baht (US$6.8 billion). FastPass streamlines permitting and coordination among agencies to speed up project operations. Furthermore, the board outlined steps to bolster electricity readiness, including accelerating the Power Development Plan and advancing clean energy mechanisms like Direct PPA and Utility Green Tariff 2. These efforts aim to ensure Thailand's competitiveness in the next phase of global investment, as highlighted by BOI Secretary General Narit Therdsteerasukdi.