TDRI Urges Thailand to Prioritize Good Jobs Over 33 Billion Baht Projects
Updated
Updated · Bangkok Post · Jul 5
TDRI Urges Thailand to Prioritize Good Jobs Over 33 Billion Baht Projects
1 articles · Updated · Bangkok Post · Jul 5
Summary
TDRI said Thailand should judge industrial policy by creation of stable, well-paid jobs, not by headline investment or export growth, arguing that shift is essential for sustainable income gains.
The study blames policy stagnation on three structural flaws: an outdated FDI-led, low-wage growth model, support measures that neglect human-capital development, and weak selection of target industries.
A 100-megawatt data centre costing about 33 billion baht illustrates the problem, TDRI said, because much of the spending goes to imported equipment while the facility employs only around 50 staff.
Those centres also consume up to 1,140 gigawatt-hours of electricity and 2.55 billion litres of water a year, limiting economic spillovers unless Thailand builds downstream industries such as AI training or autonomous-vehicle development.
Thailand's EV push shows a similar gap: adoption has risen, but inadequate preparation for domestic parts makers means many key components are still imported rather than produced locally.
Can Thailand create 'good jobs' without deterring the massive foreign investment it desperately needs?
With China's industrial dominance growing, is it too late for Thailand to build its own high-value industries?
Is Thailand's data center boom creating real value, or just turning the nation into a digital landlord?
Thailand’s Economic Turning Point: From Stagnant Growth and Mega-Project Pitfalls to Human Capital and Green Value Chains
Overview
Thailand stands at a critical economic crossroads in 2026, as the World Bank lowers its growth forecast and the traditional export-led model becomes less reliable. Pressing challenges now demand immediate policy shifts, but these changes may be politically difficult. Inaction risks worsening the situation, making strategic decisions essential for sustainable growth. At the same time, Thailand has significant opportunities in emerging green value chains, such as energy-efficient technologies and electric vehicles. By embracing these new sectors and making bold policy moves, Thailand can navigate current headwinds and build a more resilient, future-ready economy.