Category: The Bangkok Post

Central Group led over 30 executives on an immersive learning trip under the Executive Development Program (EDP) Batch 6 to Shenzhen and Hong Kong, the world’s foremost centres of innovation and technology.

The executives were from Central Retail Corporation Plc, Central Pattana Plc and Central Plaza Hotel Plc.

The study programme covered multiple dimensions, ranging from retail technology and real estate innovation to robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), through visits to more than 10 leading global organisations including Huawei Technologies, DJI, Ubtech and Pudu.

The delegation also explored world-class mixed-use and retail developments including those developed by MixC, K11 Ecoast, Hongkong Land and Galaxy Group, all of which exemplify excellence in global real estate development.

Alisa Thasanon, head of executive development and compensation at Central Group, said the trip to Shenzhen and Hong Kong was not merely a study visit, but an opportunity for the executives to experience cutting-edge innovations and world-renowned business models firsthand.

The group believes the insights and inspiration gained from the experience will empower the leaders to leverage the strengths of each company within the group.

“This will help develop forward-looking strategies, deliver unique and memorable experiences for customers, reinforce the competitive edge and drive sustainable business growth,” she said.

The executives also joined a strategic workshop titled “Capturing Opportunities in the World of Twists and Turns”, designed and facilitated by Santitarn Sathirathai, a specialist in finance and economic development.

The session encouraged executives to reflect on key learnings, exchange perspectives and identify opportunities to apply new insights to the group’s businesses.

Topics included leveraging AI for personalised offerings through The 1’s robust database of over 22 million members, creating seamless online-to-offline (O2O) experiences and integrating robotics to enhance operational excellence.

All of these are aimed at elevating the customer journey and setting new standards for global retail and service experiences, Ms Alisa added.

She said Central Group is committed to investing in people development, fostering leaders who are agile, innovative and forward-thinking. This is a strategy to establish the group as an innovation-driven organisation equipped to compete on the global stage.

The government’s self-congratulation over Thailand retaining its Tier 2 ranking in the US Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report is misplaced. Remaining at Tier 2 — for the fourth consecutive year — is not an achievement. It’s an alarm bell signalling that the country is standing still while crime spreads beneath its feet.

Yes, Thailand has stayed off the Tier 3 blacklist, unlike some of its neighbours. But the TIP Report makes clear that these are only partial gains. Forced labour and online scams — fuelled by deep-rooted corruption in Thai officialdom — remain a growing blind spot. Those words should sting.

Thailand continues to serve as a key transit hub for human traffickers and scam syndicates operating out of Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. These transnational crimes thrive because corruption runs deep from top to bottom.

Unlike in the past, these scamming empires are no longer run solely by criminal gangs relying on local mafiosi and warlords to traffic victims. Their masterminds have emerged from the underworld to rub shoulders with the rich and well-connected, with tentacles stretching into politics, the police, and business. They don’t just exploit people underground — they seek to expand their dark empires above ground.

In parliament last month, People’s Party MPs Rangsiman Rome and Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn warned that scam syndicates linked to networks in Cambodia have made inroads into the Thai economy — buying sizeable shares in strategic sectors and hobnobbing with local politicians and business elites. Such accusations might sound like a movie script. Sadly, the reality is far more sinister.

Last year, the US and UK imposed sanctions on Ly Yong Phat — one of Cambodia’s richest men and a leading member of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party — for his alleged involvement in forced labour, human trafficking, and online scams.

On Wednesday, the US government seized more than US$14 billion (around 454 billion baht) in bitcoin and charged the founder of a Cambodian business empire, Prince Group, with masterminding a forced-labour scam and money laundering.

Needless to say, if left unchecked, these syndicates will shape public policy and the economies of the countries in which they operate. To restore order, Thailand must strike at the roots, not the leaves. It must dismantle the networks — not just rescue the victims. A central anti-scam and anti-trafficking command centre should bring together all key agencies to share intelligence and act swiftly.

Following the money trail is essential — as is freezing assets, tracing cryptocurrency transactions, and prosecuting shell companies and front investors. Dirty money hidden behind suspicious luxury condos and so-called “foreign investments” must be exposed.

Most crucially, politicians and officials involved in these networks must be investigated. Without accountability at the top, every anti-trafficking measure is mere theatre. Internationally, to combat cybercrime and scam operations, Thailand should ratify the UN Cybercrime Convention and work closely with Interpol and other global agencies to target money laundering and financial crimes. Opening the country to dirty money and political collusion is national suicide. Thailand’s Tier 2 ranking masks a deeper systemic decay. The real test is not avoiding the blacklist — it’s proving that crime and corruption no longer run the country.

Live commerce in Thailand has ushered in a new era, marked by a high value of sales transactions within a short period, similar to the landscape in China.

This is driven by the integration of entertainment with online shopping or ‘shoppertainment’ through live-streaming platforms.

However, pundits caution that to ensure sustainability, businesses must focus on product quality and build their own sales channels to gain customer insights, rather than relying solely on individual influencers or third-party platforms.

Singer and influencer Ratchanok ‘Janey’ Suwannaket became the talk of the town after her live-streaming marathon on TikTok shattered records with combined sales of 400 million baht from Oct 9 to 14.

Daily sales peaked at around 557 million baht during the six-day event.

Her model combined performance-based charging, a fun and authentic presentation style, and collaboration with celebrities.

Massive discounts were offered to stimulate engagement among large audiences, encouraging spending and creating sales opportunities for smaller brands.

Similar to China

Kulthirath Pakawachkrilers, president of the Thai e-Commerce Association, told the Bangkok Post the ‘Janey live commerce phenomenon’ was destined to happen, but it arrived later than in China.

Since 2021, live commerce has gradually evolved in Thailand. In China, this trend has been mainstreaming for four to five years.

Top-tier streamers such as Xinba and Li Jiaqi have long generated between 100 million and 200 million yuan in a single session, reaching audiences of up to 99 million followers across platforms like Douyin, Kuaishou and Taobao Live.

‘For Thailand, the adoption curve has been slower. Many brands were uncertain about the true power of live selling, until Ms Ratchanok demonstrated what’s possible,’ said Ms Kulthirath.

‘Her record-breaking live-stream proved Thailand has officially entered the live commerce era.’

Her success is changing how people view live-streamers, showing it is a respected and rewarding career, she said.

On Oct 14 alone, Ms Ratchanok’s live-stream earned more than 100 million baht from 310,000 orders, with an average spend of 322 baht per order.

This matches insights from top TikTok networks, which note that products priced between 300 and 400 baht sell especially well.

What is even more powerful is that Thailand’s new live-stream icons are not only achieving commercial success but also giving back to their communities, said Ms Kulthirath.

This combination of entrepreneurship and social contribution mirrors China’s own ‘live commerce success formula’, where influence and gratitude go hand in hand. ‘Fans don’t just buy products, they buy into purpose, pride and the personalities they love,’ she said.

Hidden costs

Thanawat Malabuppha, chief executive of Priceza and an e-commerce pioneer, said the Ratchanok case is like what happens in China where influencers generate sales worth hundreds of million baht in a short time.

He attributed her success to her large base of 19 million followers and attractive product prices, similar to the cases of other influencers.

The difference is that she brought a number of celebrities to join her live-streaming and this drew their fans to view her streaming, said Mr Thanawat.

Mr Thanawat said using influencers is still important and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to support the live-streaming is just a complement as the influencers cannot be replaced.

Even nano influencers and micro influencers who have 10,000 to 100,000 followers can achieve sales of millions of baht, depending on the creativity of content, product prices and timing.

‘If the content is interesting and generates engagement, the platform’s algorithm will push it to potential audiences who are likely to be interested in the products,’ said Mr Thanawat.

He warns brands should also pay attention to the hidden costs.

On average, around 20% of buyers drop off after changing their minds, and platform fees and commission charges can amount to 20%.

‘The actual profit margin for brands may end up being only around 5-10%,’ he said.

Suvita Charanwong, CEO of influencer platform Tellscore, said Ms Ratchanok’s success has inspired other creators to adopt similar charging strategies – though at more affordable rates.

She added that the new pricing model of influencers is performance based or 1,000 orders per 50,000 baht within five minutes, changing from the previous model of an hour-based charge.

However, Ms Ratchanok’s success is not a phenomenon that can happen overnight but is a result of her fan base building over the past eight years and her sharing of ‘dramatic’ personal stories with fans that deeply connected with them.

This emotional engagement creates a unique shopping experience for viewers, said Ms Suvita.

‘Brands also need to take a long-term view – working with multiple influencers over time and demonstrating consistent success, rather than relying solely on a single individual, while brands can use AI to offload their live session,’ she added.

Thailand has around 9 million influencers, with 3 million earning income from their content. However, few rely on it as their sole source of income.

New opportunity

According to TikTok, the case of Ms Ratchanok, which holds a record-breaking 1.2 million concurrent live views, highlights how platforms can effectively promote local homegrown brands and seamlessly guide consumers from product discovery to final purchase, which in turn drives genuine economic growth.

The success of TikTok’s “Live with a Pinned Basket” model goes far beyond entertainment, highlighting TikTok Shop’s crucial role in elevating local brands and sellers by acting as a powerful economic catalyst.

Ms Ratchanok’s Live session helped promote almost 270 Thai brands and homegrown sellers, demonstrating how a robust ecosystem of creators and celebrities can actively promote local small businesses.

According to TikTok, Ms Ratchanok said she decided to do these Live sessions and saw the possibility of supporting Thai products and making local micro, small and medium sized enterprises more visible to a wider audience.

‘My goal is to use my platform to connect my community with great Thai brands. For any aspiring affiliate creators, my advice is to be authentic, know your product inside and out, and most importantly, be consistent. That is where the community trust comes from.’

The trap

Pathom Indarodom, director of the Digital Council of Thailand, noted that for newcomers to live commerce, live-streaming starts sometimes in silence. Without fame or a loyal fanbase, low viewership often means low sales.

Live-streaming demands stamina, emotional control and constant engagement. Only those with strong skills and solid support can succeed, Mr Pathom said.

While Ms Ratchanok’s success has sparked a wave of imitators, without a distinctive edge, the market quickly becomes saturated. Trends shift fast – what works today may not work tomorrow, he noted.

Platform rules, fees and algorithm changes also affect visibility and sales. Technical issues and order cancellations add more risk.

He added that behind the scenes, there are hidden business costs. If sales fall short, losses and debt can pile up. Not every order means real income, while many young Thais dream of overnight success.

‘But behind the big numbers lies a tough reality – more cautionary tale than guaranteed formula,’ said Mr Pathom.

Authorities have arrested five people and seized nearly 70,000 contraband cigarettes during raids on four shophouses in Muang district of this island province.

A team of officials from the Phuket special operations team of the Department of Provincial Administration and defence volunteers raided the four locations following complaints that they were selling illegal cigarettes.

The operation was carried out from 11.30am on Wednesday to 5.30am on Thursday.

The team arrested two women and seized 170 packs, 4,000 loose cigarettes and 920 baht in cash during a raid on the first shop on Ratsadanusorn Road in tambon Rassada.

They then raided another house in the same tambon and arrested another woman with 3,345 packs containing 65,628 cigarettes, plus 8,020 baht in cash.

At the third location, officials apprehended a woman at a rented house on Prachasamakkhi Road and seized 977 packs of cigarettes as well as 5,700 baht in cash.

At the fourth location, the team arrested a man at a house on Karn Kheha Road with 16 packs of cigarettes and 1,600 baht in cash.

In total, the team seized 69,628 untaxed cigarettes from the four shophouses.

Officials said the total number of cigarettes seized did not match the number of packs because many packs were open and did not contain 20 cigarettes. The suspects were believed to be selling mainly small amounts of loose cigarettes to customers.

The five suspects were handed over to officers at the Muang police station for legal action under sections 203 and 204 of the Excise Act.

The Cross Cultural Foundation has petitioned the House committee on Legal Affairs, Justice and Human Rights to investigate whether Thai officials were involved in the abduction and forced return of Vietnamese refugee Duong Van Thai.

Prakaidao Phurksakasemsuk, the foundation’s deputy director, said Thai, an independent Vietnamese journalist and human rights activist, fled to Thailand in 2018 and was granted refugee status by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 2020.

Although recognised as a refugee by the UNHCR in Bangkok, Thailand has not ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention, and the country does not have a formal legal framework to protect refugees.

In 2023, Thai was abducted by four men near his rented home in Pathum Thani. Friends tried to contact him to no avail before discovering that he had been forcibly returned to Vietnam, where he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for spreading anti-government propaganda.

Ms Prakaidao described the abduction as an act of enforced disappearance and a violation of the non-refoulement principle, the international rule prohibiting the return of refugees to danger. She said the case might involve cross-border coordination between Thai and Vietnamese authorities.

Vietnamese-American human rights activist Grace Thu Trang Thi Bui also travelled to Thailand to seek information on the disappearance, noting that this was not the first such incident.

Chonthicha Jaengraew, People’s Party MP for Pathum Thani and a committee member, said failure to expose the truth of the case could harm Thailand’s image.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement confirming Thailand’s readiness to cooperate with the United States in efforts to dismantle transnational online scam networks operating across Southeast Asia.

The ministry said in its official statement on Thursday that it welcomed the US announcement on Oct 14 regarding new measures to combat online scam networks in the region.

These efforts align with Thailand’s ongoing commitment to work with international partners to suppress transnational crime and bring perpetrators to justice, according to the ministry.

The statement highlighted the serious threat posed by online scams and scam call centres, which have harmed citizens across the region and are often linked to other grave transnational crimes such as human trafficking, forced labour and money laundering.

The ministry reaffirmed Thailand’s strong determination to eliminate online scams and pledged to strengthen cooperation with the US as part of a longstanding security partnership.

The country also expressed its intent to work closely with other partner nations and relevant international organisations to effectively address this growing threat.

Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow on Thursday said that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s official visit to Laos included discussions on regional security cooperation, particularly targeting call centre syndicates and scammers. Mr Sihasak spoke during his visit to Laos with Mr Anutin to mark the 75th anniversary of Thailand-Laos relations.

The minister emphasised the urgency of tackling these criminal operations, which have far-reaching impacts both within and beyond the region and underscored the importance of close collaboration with neighbouring countries.

Mr Sihasak said that addressing this issue requires cooperation not only with regional partners such as China, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia but also with countries outside the region, including the US and South Korea, which have also been affected.

This matter will be further discussed at upcoming international forums, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit later this month, he added.

The two renowned brands received Health and Wellness Tourism and Sustainability Awards from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, underscoring their shared vision of positioning Thailand as a global wellness hub.

Recognising excellence in Thailand’s growing wellness tourism industry, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has presented two distinguished accolades to BDMS Wellness Clinic x Sri panwa at the 15th Thailand Tourism Awards 2025. The honours reaffirm their shared commitment to elevating Thailand’s reputation as a world-class destination for holistic health and sustainable wellness experiences.

The awards ceremony, presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi, was attended by leading figures from the tourism and wellness sectors. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, also joined in congratulating the award recipients at the Grand Ballroom, Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, on September 27, 2025.

BDMS Wellness Clinic x Sri panwa, led by Songkran Issara, Chief Executive Officer of Charn Issara Development Public Company Limited; Tanupol Virunhagarun, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of BDMS Wellness Clinic and BDMS Wellness Resort, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited (BDMS); and Lalita Kongseeha, M.D., Assistant CEO – Group 6, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited, and Director of Bangkok Hospital Phuket, was recognised with two key distinctions:

1.Thailand Tourism Excellence Award for Health and Wellness Tourism in the Destination Spa and Wellness category – honouring outstanding service quality and international-level excellence.

2.Thailand Tourism Sustainability Award – newly introduced this year to commend enterprises demonstrating exemplary sustainable business practices.

Dr Tanupol highlighted that the Health and Wellness Tourism Award reflects the organisation’s unwavering dedication to advancing Thailand’s preventive healthcare services to global standards.

‘Receiving these award is both a great honour and a source of pride for BDMS Wellness Clinic and our entire team,’ said Dr Tanupol. ‘It recognises not only our service excellence but also our mission to position Thailand as a world-class health and wellness destination. The BDMS Wellness Clinic x Sri panwa Wellness Retreat represents a collaborative effort between BDMS Wellness Clinic, Sri panwa Phuket, and Bangkok Hospital Phuket. Together, we offer a holistic wellness experience that blends evidence-based medical science-what we call Scientific Wellness-with the art of relaxation for the body, mind and spirit. Our goal is to deliver truly personalised, sustainable health outcomes for guests from around the world.’

Dr Lalita added that Bangkok Hospital Phuket plays a crucial role as a regional medical partner, providing ongoing, in-depth health support to guests participating in BDMS Wellness programmes.

‘Our commitment is to offer world-class medical services with a holistic approach, backed by highly skilled specialists, advanced medical technology and a deep understanding of health tourism,’ she said. ‘Guests can be confident they will receive the highest level of care throughout their wellness journey.’

Meanwhile, Mr Songkran expressed pride in receiving the Thailand Tourism Sustainability Award, underscoring Sri panwa’s long-standing dedication to responsible tourism and environmental stewardship.

‘At Sri panwa, sustainability is not just a concept-it’s a responsibility,’ said Mr Songkran. ‘We are deeply committed to promoting wellness tourism that cares for both people and the planet. Beyond offering world-class wellness experiences through modern medical innovation, our project strives to nurture a sustainable future by using resources responsibly, reducing plastic waste and protecting the natural environment. True wellness must go hand in hand with environmental and social wellbeing.’

The recognition of BDMS Wellness Clinic and Sri panwa with both Health and Wellness Tourism and Sustainability Awards underscores their shared vision of integrating health, environmental, social and economic sustainability. Their initiatives include efficient resource management, supporting local communities, sourcing local ingredients and designing responsible services aligned with Thailand’s long-term sustainable development goals.

Now in its 30th year, the Thailand Tourism Awards are held biennially by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to honour outstanding tourism businesses that exemplify quality, responsibility and sustainability. The 15th edition presented accolades across five main categories: Attractions, Accommodation, Health and Wellness Tourism, Tour Programmes and Tourism Support and Promotion Organisation.

The dual recognition of BDMS Wellness Clinic, Sri panwa Phuket and Bangkok Hospital Phuket reaffirms Thailand’s growing strength and readiness to position itself as the ‘Wellness Hub of the World.’

Reinforcing Thailand’s presence on the global academic stage, Krirk University has reached a significant international milestone with its official recognition as a Permanent Member of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), an organisation operating under the auspices of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO). The formal announcement took place on 8 October 2025, marking Krirk University as Thailand’s first university to attain this distinguished status.

On this occasion, Dr Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of ICESCO, paid an official visit to present the Certificate of Permanent Membership to the university. The delegation was warmly received by Professor Dr Krasae Chanawongse, President of Krirk University; Mr Wang Changming, Chairman of the University Council; and members of the executive team. Both parties engaged in discussions on advancing higher education within the Muslim world, promoting academic collaboration, and exploring potential joint projects for the future.

Professor Dr Krasae Chanawongse remarked, ‘Being recognised by FUIW marks a significant step for Krirk University in advancing towards internationalisation. It serves as a bridge for academic cooperation between Thailand and the Islamic world, expanding new opportunities for our students, researchers, and academic personnel at the global level.’

This achievement reflects Krirk University’s vision to deliver quality education while fostering international partnerships, positioning itself as a true centre of knowledge at the global level.

Professor Dr Jaran Maluleem, Vice President for International Affairs and Dean of the International Islamic College of Bangkok (IICB), Krirk University, emphasised that FUIW is a major international organisation headquartered in Rabat, Morocco. The federation’s mission is to promote cooperation among higher education institutions in the Muslim world to enhance the quality of education, science, and culture – particularly focusing on the development of higher education, scientific research, and the preservation of Islamic cultural heritage in alignment with global standards.

Dr Sarawut Laesan, Assistant to the Chairman for Strategy and Development, Assistant to the Vice President for International Affairs, and Vice Dean of the International Islamic College of Bangkok (IICB) for Administration and International Affairs, explained that this recognition is the result of continuous efforts since the establishment of the College in 2022. The IICB has actively built networks with higher education institutions in the Muslim world, beginning with its permanent membership in the Asian Islamic Universities Association (AIUA). The College has implemented academic exchange programmes, joint research projects, and professional development initiatives that have gained international recognition, ultimately leading to this prestigious honour – being named ‘Thailand’s First Permanent Member’ of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW). This milestone represents a proud progression from the national to the regional, and now global, levels.

Dr Chanidapha Nunualvuttiwong, Director of the International Affairs Office at Krirk University, added that the university truly embodies internationalism. It hosts students from diverse countries across all continents, reflecting openness to cultural and religious diversity. Within the university, academic programmes are offered in multiple languages – including Thai, English, Chinese, and Arabic – to support this diversity and foster an international academic atmosphere.

This multicultural environment not only stands as one of the university’s key strengths but also reflects Krirk University’s vision to promote intercultural understanding, peaceful coexistence, and the development of students into capable, globally minded citizens who contribute meaningfully to the world community.

Looking ahead, Krirk University remains committed to expanding academic cooperation with universities and international organisations worldwide. The university continues to create pathways for education and research that meet global standards, in response to the evolving challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

As Thailand’s first permanent member of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), Krirk University stands at the forefront of international collaboration in higher education. This milestone not only underscores the university’s dedication to global academic excellence but also reaffirms its mission to nurture intercultural understanding and foster future generations of globally competent leaders who contribute to knowledge, peace, and sustainable development worldwide.

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) shared uplifting news that ‘Khao Tom,’ a baby wild elephant rescued in Kanchanaburi province, was showing encouraging signs of recovery as of Thursday after weeks of treatment at Bueng Chawak Wildlife Sanctuary in Suphan Buri.

However, veterinarians in Lampang province reported the death of another injured baby elephant on Wednesday.

Khao Tom was rescued on Sept 22 after falling into a pit in Huai Chani Forest, injuring its right hind leg.

Since then, the young elephant has received round-the-clock care from a veterinary team led by Dr Natthanon Panpetch, director of the Bueng Chawak Wildlife Sanctuary.

The team, supported by specialists from the National Elephant Institute, Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Medical Technology and Kasetsart University’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, has helped improve the calf’s strength and mobility.

Khao Tom has begun wearing leg splints and using a supportive frame to aid with balance and muscle training.

The treatment also included joint stretching, ultrasound therapy and peripheral magnetic stimulation-a technique using electromagnetic fields to stimulate muscle function.

The team reported that the elephant can now stand more steadily and move with better coordination.

The calf is drinking milk and water normally and has shown improvement in digestion after being given probiotics and intravenous fluids.

DNP director-general Atthapol Charoenchansa said on Thursday that the department remains committed to ensuring Khao Tom’s full recovery, adding that every effort is being made to give the young elephant the best possible quality of life.

In contrast, the Elephant Hospital in Lampang province announced that an 11-day-old calf, transferred from Chiang Mai after being attacked by its mother, died on Wednesday despite undergoing surgery to repair a broken leg.

Thailand’s data centre capacity is projected to more than double over the next few years, but the government must upgrade power transmission lines and substations as electricity shortages are emerging in key provinces such as Chon Buri and Rayong.

Norasak Suphakorntanakit, head of capital markets and investment at property consultancy Cushman and Wakefield Thailand, said the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand is holding discussions to identify sites and accelerate substation upgrades to increase power capacity.

“In the past, provincial electricity planning focused on serving local communities or industrial estates that required limited power,” he said. “But with the exponential growth of data centres, substation expansion has failed to keep pace with demand.”

Bangkok’s data centre market continues to grow rapidly, building on strong momentum from the second half of 2024.

Having moved beyond its initial development phase, the sector is now entering its early stage of maturity, noted Cushman and Wakefield.

In the first half of 2025, Thailand’s data centre projects tallied around 800 megawatts of capacity. There are 25 operators managing 53 data centres, with a combined capacity of 109MW in operation, 169MW under construction, and 515MW in planning.

Those under construction and planning also jumped from 46MW and 186MW previously planned, respectively.

In comparison, Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur accounted for 800MW, while Johor Bahru has 2,306MW, a combined 3,106MW.

This indicates that Thailand still has room to more than double its capacity, supported by available electricity reserves of 12-13 gigawatts.

Another factor driving investment to Thailand is that Johor Bahru and Singapore are facing shortages of both electricity and water, limiting new data centre development in those cities and shifting growth to Bangkok and the Eastern Economic Corridor.

Of the 13 leading co-location providers active in Asia-Pacific, most have already established a presence in Malaysia and Singapore, while eight are currently operating or entering the Thai market, with half already running and half in the process of setting up.

“In the next few years, more global providers are likely to enter Thailand as the country is increasingly attractive for those seeking high-quality, high-standard facilities,” Mr Norasak said.

Although operational capacity growth remains modest, demand is robust, reflected in a sharp drop in colocation vacancy rates from 24% in the second half of 2024 to 16% by mid-2025.

“In the past, demand for Thailand was limited due to a lack of high-quality, high-standard providers,” Mr Norasak added. “But after global players entered the market, demand surged. Bangkok is now emerging as a key data centre hub in Asia-Pacific.”

He also said the government should promote green or renewable energy, which is increasingly required by leading international data centre providers.