BANGKOK, Thailand – Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan recently met with Google executives in Jeju, South Korea, during the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) meeting to discuss expanding digital investment in Thailand and raising concerns about the impact of U.S. tax policies. The gathering touched on strengthening cooperation in the digital economy and promoting Thailand as a destination for advanced technology investment.
Google reaffirmed its investment in data centers and cloud services in Thailand, identifying the country as a key production base for technology components such as hard disk drives and printed circuit boards. Pichai invited Google to expand its operations further, highlighting Thailand’s infrastructure, stable energy supply, and skilled workforce as strengths supporting digital industry growth.
The Commerce Minister also raised concerns about potential U.S. tax measures that could affect Google’s activities in Thailand. Both sides agreed to maintain ongoing dialogue to manage any impacts and to seek constructive engagement with U.S. authorities to achieve balanced outcomes.
Google recommended that Thailand continue improving regulations to support digital platforms and attract more investment in the digital economy, while recognizing digital trade as a major driver of future economic growth in Thailand and across the region. (NNT)
