Thailand has moved to formalize its semiconductor ambitions with the unveiling of the "Siam Silica Framework," a new roadmap meant to deepen the country’s chip ecosystem and tie it more tightly to the wider ASEAN supply chain. According to reporting by Krungthep Turakij and Nation Thailand, the plan was presented at a National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and MHESI Minister Prof. Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, who said semiconductor development has been elevated to a national priority.
The framework centers on five areas: photonics fabrication, advanced packaging, silicon design, quantum photonics and power devices. Officials also want to move faster on workforce development, using specialized higher-education sandbox degree programs and the STEMPlus platform to retrain workers from conventional manufacturing into more advanced technical jobs. In parallel, Thailand is pushing an ASEAN-wide effort to strengthen supply-chain resilience, including ideas for a regional talent observatory, broader use of the Thailand Skill Bridge platform, joint research and development, and the inclusion of photonics and printed circuit boards in the regional semiconductor roadmap.
The targets set out under the plan are ambitious but still narrow by global industry standards. By 2030, the National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Office wants to see eight integrated circuit design firms, one semiconductor fabrication plant and two advanced packaging facilities operating domestically. To support that buildout, authorities estimate the need for 152 faculty members, 950 researchers and senior engineers, 553 high-skilled engineers and 1,330 specialized technicians.
Thailand’s broader semiconductor strategy is also gaining institutional backing. Government materials and local reports say the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation is coordinating with the Board of Investment and other agencies to align research grants, startup support, infrastructure and tax incentives with technology transfer. A separate government briefing described the country’s semiconductor push as part of a long-term plan to move from assembly and testing toward higher-value work such as chip design, advanced packaging and related manufacturing technologies.
The immediate commercial focus appears to be on segments Thailand can enter more quickly, including IC design, power management chips, photonics, sensors and PCB and PCBA assembly. Policymakers see that as a way to build momentum before aiming for a broader industrial base. They argue that semiconductors will be critical not only for electronics, but also for artificial intelligence, data centers, biotechnology and clean-energy systems.
Disclaimer: This article may have been created with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team. It is provided for general informational purposes only. Readers should verify information independently before relying on this content.
