Thailand BOI approves 55 new projects for business upgrades and workforce skills

Forty-eight approvals focus on business upgrades

The larger part of the new round falls under Business Transformation. BOI approved 48 additional projects representing THB 3.54 billion in investment and THB 1.663 billion in support.

That brings the programme to 66 approved projects, with THB 5.806 billion in combined investment and THB 2.796 billion in support. BOI says the projects cover research and development, automation, digital technology, AI, and moves into new or greener industries, with agriculture, food processing, biotechnology, electronics and automotive businesses among the main sectors represented.

BOI estimates that the 66 projects could generate about THB 3.9 billion in additional annual company revenue, more than THB 7.1 billion a year in domestic purchases of materials, components and services, and around 1,500 jobs. Those figures are projected effects of the supported projects, not outcomes that have already been recorded.

For practical context, see Thailand economy and finance. This development also connects with Thailand BOI backs 48 projects with THB 2.5bn support.

Skill Bridge adds training plans for 10,180 people

Seven of the latest approvals are under Skill Bridge, which supports companies, educational institutions and training providers developing higher-level skills for target industries. The new projects receive THB 307 million in support and are planned to cover 10,180 people.

Across the full programme, 42 Skill Bridge projects have now been approved with THB 2.029 billion in support. Their combined workforce-development plan covers 76,728 people. The figure is a programme target, so it should not be interpreted as the number of people who have already completed training.

Priority areas include digital skills, AI, data analysis, cybersecurity, smart electronics, food technology, agriculture and biotechnology, electric vehicles and batteries, robotics, automation and medical technology. BOI says supported training is assessed on curriculum standards, links to industry demand, trainer expertise and the provider's ability to deliver the programme.

The policy signal is more specific than the headline budget

The figure above THB 4.8 billion is cumulative support for all 108 approved projects under the two measures. It is not a new one-off allocation made on 9 September.

For employers and investors, the approvals show where public support is being directed: productivity upgrades, advanced production systems, research, digitalisation and skills needed around those technologies. For professionals, the useful takeaway is narrower. The measures may expand training and hiring linked to AI, automation, electronics, engineering and R&D, but they do not provide every worker with direct funding or guarantee a job; access will depend on the individual projects run by approved companies and training organisations.