The government should accelerate infrastructure development to strengthen Thailand's position as a leading destination for foreign investment in advanced industries, particularly those involving artificial intelligence (AI), says WHA Corporation Plc, which operates industrial estates, logistics, utilities and power businesses.
Group chief executive Jareeporn Jarukornsakul made the call after a private-public sector meeting last month, where business leaders shared input on strategies to revive and expand the economy.
She stressed that Thailand must move beyond being a passive user of AI technologies and instead establish itself as a regional hub, leveraging unique local datasets to strengthen national resilience and generate high-value jobs.
Ms Jareeporn said the business community wants to see the government upgrade logistics, digital networks and green infrastructure to support targeted industries such as AI, data centres, semiconductors, and renewable technologies.
These improvements would not only boost investor confidence but also help Thailand become an advanced manufacturing base in Southeast Asia.
She emphasised the importance of equipping the workforce with new skills to serve Industry 4.0, which integrates digital tools and data analytics into production.
At the same time, she urged policymakers to prepare measures to mitigate the impact of an ageing society and low birth rate, which could otherwise weaken the country's long-term economic prospects.
To facilitate business activities, Ms Jareeporn also called for improvements in the ease of doing business, saying streamlined regulations and transparent processes are crucial to attract large-scale international investments.
"These measures are vital to support Thailand's investment in the long term and will encourage more investors to make decisions to invest here," she said.
WHA's own projects reflect this vision. The company operates WHA Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 5 in Rayong, which has already attracted major investors including Haier Smart Home.
Haier is building the world's first AI intelligent agent factory for central air conditioning at the site -- the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia.
The investment underscores confidence in Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor as a driver of the nation's AI and data economy.
