Thailand Unveils 25-Year Plan to Pivot from Chip Assembly to IC Design
The National Semiconductor Roadmap 2050 targets wafer fabrication and IC design to fuel the nation's electric vehicle ambitions.
Thailand has launched a comprehensive 25-year strategy to transform its semiconductor industry from a contract assembly hub into a primary technology owner. The National Semiconductor Roadmap 2050 seeks to shift the nation's industrial focus from outsourced semiconductor assembly and testing (OSAT) toward high-value integrated circuit (IC) design and wafer fabrication.
Central to this transition is the "Made-in-Thailand Chips" initiative, which prioritizes five specific chip categories: power, sensor, photonics, analogue, and discrete. To anchor this shift in physical infrastructure, a joint venture between PTT and Hana Microelectronics is constructing the country's first silicon-carbide (SiC) wafer facility, a project valued at THB 11.5 billion. This infrastructure push is paired with a massive investment in human capital; the government has launched a 2-billion-baht workforce development program designed to train 100,000 high-skilled workers through more than 1,000 certified courses.
The Push for Upstream Value
Historically, Thailand has functioned as a midstream and downstream hub, specializing in the final stages of chip production. However, the global urgency for supply chain resilience, coupled with the rapid ascent of artificial intelligence and electric vehicles, has forced a strategic rethink. By moving "upstream," Thailand aims to capture the higher margins associated with design and fabrication rather than remaining dependent on foreign intellectual property.
To attract the necessary global expertise, the Board of Investment (BOI) is implementing aggressive incentives, including tax holidays, low-interest loans, and fast-track facilitation. These measures are intended to lure industry leaders to establish a deeper presence in the region and provide the technical mentorship required for local engineers to master IC design.
Strategic Alignment with EVs
This industrial pivot is closely tied to Thailand's automotive goals. Under its EV 3.0 and EV 3.5 policies, the government aims to produce 600,000 electric vehicles per year by 2026. This automotive surge is expected to create a massive internal demand for power semiconductors, particularly the SiC technology being developed in the new Hana-PTT facility. By aligning chip production with its existing automotive strengths, Thailand is positioning itself as a regional leader in "green" semiconductors for the ASEAN market.
Market Outlook and Next Steps
The economic stakes are significant. Thailand's semiconductor market is estimated to be worth USD 8.46 billion in 2025, with projections suggesting it will grow to USD 11.79 billion by 2030.
As the roadmap unfolds, the primary challenge will be the successful execution of the workforce program and the timely completion of the SiC facility. Observers will be watching to see if the BOI incentives are sufficient to attract the top-tier fabrication firms required to make the "Made-in-Thailand Chips" vision a reality.