nder the Radar is a weekly special series bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world, one region at a time. This week in SE Asia and Oceania, Thailand is investing heavily in printed circuit board production, in hopes of gaining a spot as a major player in AI supply chains. Other noteworthy under–the–radar stories from the region include trouble with Indonesia’s start–up companies, the integration of AI in Australia’s healthcare systems, and the substantial increase in Vietnamese coffee exports.
Thailand is emerging as a serious player to help fill a key niche in the global supply chain for AI: printed circuit boards (PCBs). PCBs are used in almost all modern–day electronic devices. Amidst the growing global demand for AI servers, the demand for PCBs is also expected to increase significantly, allowing Thailand the opportunity to solidify its position in the global supply chain. Over the past two years, Thailand’s PCB production market share has increased from 3.8% to 4.7% and the country’s Board of Investment expects it to have a 10–15% market share of global PCB production within the next three to five years. Currently, Thailand’s Industry, Science, and Technology International Strategy Center projects the country’s PCB production to grow to $5.62 billion by 2030.
Thailand has been strategically positioning itself as a major producer of PCBs. In terms of location, having Thailand produce PCBs secures the supply chain, as most current PCB production is done in China and Taiwan. Thailand’s government is also regularly investing in technological development, making the country an attractive location for foreign investors. For instance, in 2024, Thailand’s Board of Investment greenlit $2 billion in investments in data centers and electronic manufacturing. In June, Thailand also announced the Thailand Electronics Circuit Asia event, which is expected to draw over 7,000 attendees, including investors and 500 electronic companies.
Geopolitical tensions between China and the U.S. are also spurring companies to invest in Thailand’s PCB manufacturing. Over the past three years, almost 60 PCB manufacturing companies, originating from China and Taiwan, have invested in new factories in Thailand. Some of the larger PCB manufacturing companies are also establishing product research and development centers, which will employ Thai researchers to continue developing and improving innovative technologies.
However, there are concerns that ongoing geopolitical tensions could hinder Thailand’s PCB progress. Thailand’s finance minister projected confidence in the country’s negotiation with the U.S. from a 36% tariff to a 19% tariff, arguing that the negotiated rate would make Thailand globally competitive. However, the implementation of these tariffs has been mixed. Thailand’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office forecasts that the country’s exports in 2025 will continue on a positive trend, but there is also a global decline in export demand.
Here are some other under–the–radar stories from across SE Asia and Oceania:
- Indonesia’s governance of start–ups is being called into question after a money laundering scandal implicated two state enterprises’ venture capital firms.
- Australia is experimenting with AI in healthcare, including for disease detection and for social interaction for home healthcare patients.
- Vietnam’s coffee exports are up 61% in 2025, largely due to supply disruptions for Brazil and Indonesia, and the U.S.’s tariffs.
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Thailand strategically positions itself in the AI supply chain
The province of Ayutthaya in Thailand is becoming a center of PCB production. Photo by Alice on Unsplash
October 10, 2025
Diplomatic Courier’s Stephanie Gull brings you weekly under–the–radar stories from around the world. This week in Southeast Asia and Oceania: Thailand makes moves to become a key node in the global AI supply chain.
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nder the Radar is a weekly special series bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world, one region at a time. This week in SE Asia and Oceania, Thailand is investing heavily in printed circuit board production, in hopes of gaining a spot as a major player in AI supply chains. Other noteworthy under–the–radar stories from the region include trouble with Indonesia’s start–up companies, the integration of AI in Australia’s healthcare systems, and the substantial increase in Vietnamese coffee exports.
Thailand is emerging as a serious player to help fill a key niche in the global supply chain for AI: printed circuit boards (PCBs). PCBs are used in almost all modern–day electronic devices. Amidst the growing global demand for AI servers, the demand for PCBs is also expected to increase significantly, allowing Thailand the opportunity to solidify its position in the global supply chain. Over the past two years, Thailand’s PCB production market share has increased from 3.8% to 4.7% and the country’s Board of Investment expects it to have a 10–15% market share of global PCB production within the next three to five years. Currently, Thailand’s Industry, Science, and Technology International Strategy Center projects the country’s PCB production to grow to $5.62 billion by 2030.
Thailand has been strategically positioning itself as a major producer of PCBs. In terms of location, having Thailand produce PCBs secures the supply chain, as most current PCB production is done in China and Taiwan. Thailand’s government is also regularly investing in technological development, making the country an attractive location for foreign investors. For instance, in 2024, Thailand’s Board of Investment greenlit $2 billion in investments in data centers and electronic manufacturing. In June, Thailand also announced the Thailand Electronics Circuit Asia event, which is expected to draw over 7,000 attendees, including investors and 500 electronic companies.
Geopolitical tensions between China and the U.S. are also spurring companies to invest in Thailand’s PCB manufacturing. Over the past three years, almost 60 PCB manufacturing companies, originating from China and Taiwan, have invested in new factories in Thailand. Some of the larger PCB manufacturing companies are also establishing product research and development centers, which will employ Thai researchers to continue developing and improving innovative technologies.
However, there are concerns that ongoing geopolitical tensions could hinder Thailand’s PCB progress. Thailand’s finance minister projected confidence in the country’s negotiation with the U.S. from a 36% tariff to a 19% tariff, arguing that the negotiated rate would make Thailand globally competitive. However, the implementation of these tariffs has been mixed. Thailand’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office forecasts that the country’s exports in 2025 will continue on a positive trend, but there is also a global decline in export demand.
Here are some other under–the–radar stories from across SE Asia and Oceania:
- Indonesia’s governance of start–ups is being called into question after a money laundering scandal implicated two state enterprises’ venture capital firms.
- Australia is experimenting with AI in healthcare, including for disease detection and for social interaction for home healthcare patients.
- Vietnam’s coffee exports are up 61% in 2025, largely due to supply disruptions for Brazil and Indonesia, and the U.S.’s tariffs.
