On 14 November 2024, H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended meetings between H.E. Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister, and Google, Tiktok and Microsoft on the sidelines of the 2024 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week (AELW) in Lima.

During the meeting with Mr. Karan Bhatia, Global Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy of Google, the Prime Minister welcomed Google’s announcement of its large-scale Data Center and Cloud Region investment in Thailand worth USD 1 billion, expected to create over 14,000 jobs from 2025 to 2029 and generate approximately USD4 billion in economic value by 2029. She reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to working closely with Google across various strategic areas, such as advancing digital and AI skills among the Thai workforce, integrating digital tools to streamline government operations, and accelerating the “Go Cloud First” policy. Building on the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Google and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society in 2023, the two sides will explore venues for cooperation in cybersecurity and online scam prevention.

This discussion is a follow-up on the meeting between the Prime Minister and Ms. Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, during her official visit to Thailand on 30 September 2024, during which they discussed the progress of Google’s investments and explore further areas for cooperation in advancement of Thailand’s digital economy and ecosystem.

Later, during the meeting with Mr. Shou Zi Chew, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TikTok, the Prime Minister expressed appreciation for TikTok’s close collaboration with various Thai agencies, which benefited Thailand in various areas, among others SME empowerment, digital marketing opportunities through TikTok and social media platforms, tourism promotion, and enhancing digital knowledge and skills. Both sides also discussed other areas to further their partnership, particularly in promoting the digital economy and ecosystem, supporting small businesses, enhancing Thailand’s tourism and creative industries, and advancing digital skills and literacy among Thai citizens.

As a leading global technology company, TikTok manages multiple platforms that deliver news, education, and entertainment content to users. TikTok officially launched in Thailand in 2019, and by 2024, has over 49 million Thai users’ accounts.

In addition, during the meeting with Mr. Antony Cook, Corporate Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, Customer & Partner Solutions of Microsoft, the Prime Minister welcomed close partnership with Microsoft and expressed readiness to further strengthen collaboration to advance Thailand’s digital transformation. Both sides discussed potential plans for further investments in Cloud and AI infrastructure, as well as initiatives to enhance AI skills for Thai personnel to build skilled workforces for high-tech industries, a key component in creating an economic environment aligned with Thailand’s goal of becoming a regional digital hub.

This meeting builds on the momentum of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's visit to Thailand in May 2024, during which he outlined Microsoft’s strategic initiatives in Thailand. These include establishing Thailand’s first Data Center, supporting AI skills development for Thai people, and promoting the adoption of Microsoft’s Generative AI tools to enhance organizational efficiency and capability among Thai enterprises.