Thailand Roundup: TikTok invests $8.8bn, 3.5% economic growth, mass deportations to China
Thailand targets 3.5% economic growth with new stimulus plan
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced an economic stimulus plan on Monday, aiming to boost Thailand’s GDP growth to 3-3.5% this year. Unveiling the plan on X, she credited Finance Minister and Deputy PM Pichai Chunhavajira, who developed it after consultations with five key economic agencies. According to The Nation, the plan includes accelerating the disbursement of over 100 billion baht in pending state funds, improving budget efficiency, and supporting structural economic reforms. It also seeks to fast-track private sector investment, particularly through the Board of Investment, which received applications worth 1.14 trillion baht (over $33 billion) last year.
TikTok commits $8.8bn to data centres
TikTok will invest $8.8 billion in Thai data centres over five years, including a previously announced $3.8 billion for data hosting. VP of Public Policy Helena Lersch announced the investment in Bangkok on February 28. DCD reports that TikTok, which typically leases colocation space, previously opened a $2.13 billion AI hub in Malaysia and is considering a data centre in Australia. ByteDance, its parent company, also utilises Bridge Data Centres for its Chinese operations.
Thailand condemned for ‘shameful’ mass deportation of Uyghur refugees to China
The family of a Uyghur man feared to have been forcibly deported from Thailand to China has condemned the move as “shameful.” The deportations occurred despite UN warnings that those sent back faced a “real risk of torture.” Ignoring protests from the UN refugee agency, the EU, and the US, Thailand deported 40 Uyghurs who had been detained for a decade, claiming they returned voluntarily to their families. However, speaking to The Guardian, the family of one deportee insisted it was “impossible” that the men would willingly go back to China as reported by The Guardian.
Thailand considers building a wall on its border with Cambodia
Thailand is considering building a border wall with Cambodia to curb illegal crossings and dismantle scam centres near the border, a government spokesman said Monday. Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub stated that the proposal was discussed in a Cabinet meeting, with the Foreign and Defence Ministries assigned to consult Cambodian authorities, AA reported. He emphasised the need to study its feasibility and impact. The Cambodian government has not yet responded. Meanwhile, authorities are intensifying crackdowns on financial fraud networks, primarily run by Chinese gangs in Cambodia and Myanmar.
Gorilla Technology secures $1.8b deal for Thailand's largest smart grid and AI energy project
Gorilla Technology Group (NASDAQ: GRRR) has secured a landmark $1.8 billion deal to lead Thailand’s largest energy digitization and infrastructure transformation. Over 15 years, this AI-driven initiative will modernize power distribution, enhance security, and optimize energy efficiency nationwide. Unlike traditional infrastructure projects, Gorilla has introduced an innovative financing model to ensure long-term, sustainable funding, enabling large-scale execution while delivering lasting financial benefits to all stakeholders, according to Newsfile.
