Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to becoming a digital economy hub in Southeast Asia, outlining the country’s path forward in talks with Irving Tan, Executive Vice President of Global Operations at Western Digital (WD). The meeting, held during her visit to Los Angeles, underscored the government’s ambitions to elevate Thailand’s digital economy through policies like “Go Cloud First” and a transition to paperless government operations.
The prime minister also committed to clean energy integration within the digital sector, viewing sustainable energy sources as essential to long-term growth. She assured Tan that the government is streamlining procedures to ease foreign investment while focusing on sustainability.
Western Digital, already operating two factories in Thailand, one in Ayutthaya and another in Prachin Buri, expressed interest in expanding its investments in the country. Tan shared plans to open a research and development center in Bangkok, emphasizing the importance of upskilling the Thai workforce in collaboration with local universities. WD aims for 100% clean energy across its facilities by 2030 and has requested support from the Board of Investment (BoI) for these initiatives, which the prime minister believes will create new job opportunities.
Beyond technology, PM Paetongtarn met with top executives from the Motion Picture Association (MPA), including representatives from Disney, Netflix, Sony, and Warner Bros., during a networking reception. She emphasized that Thailand’s vibrant film industry plays a key role in its “soft power” strategy. Last year, over 450 international films were shot in Thailand, generating approximately $190 million in revenue, including 34 films from US studios.
MPA Chairman Charles Rivkin commended Thailand’s competitive incentives, noting that these policies have positioned the country as a regional leader in attracting foreign film productions. Rivkin highlighted that MPA operations bring economic benefits to Thailand, injecting approximately $1.3 million daily into the local economy and generating jobs in local communities.
Following her US visit, PM Paetongtarn and her delegation will head to Peru for the 31st APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, scheduled for November 14-17, where discussions will continue on regional economic growth and digital integration.