New-Look Thailand:
Robotics, GenAI, 5G
& Smart Manufacturing
Thailand is fusing robotics and advanced manufacturing with artificial intelligence (AI)
and 5G connectivity for automation at scale.
Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)
From automotive factories in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) to next-gen innovation centers powered by Chinese AI giants, the kingdom is retooling manufacturing and logistics for the Industry 4.0 era.
The numbers tell the story: The International Federation of Robotics reports that globally, Thailand now ranks 14th in robot installations, second in ASEAN only to Singapore, with more than 3,300 robots already deployed. Thailand held the largest share (24%) of the industrial and service robot market in Southeast Asia (2024), according to Mordor Intelligence.
In 2025, Thailand’s industrial robotics market is projected to reach a market size of $60.94 million, according to Statista. This market is expected to grow annually with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.77%, leading to a market volume of $62.85 million by 2029. Electronics and automotive manufacturers will take the lion’s share of industrial robot deployments. Overall revenue for Thailand’s combined robotics, cobotics, and service robots, including hardware, software, and parts, is projected by Statista to be $165.09 million for 2025.
The electric/electronic industry is dominant overall with a projected market volume of $19.17 million in 2025.
The poster child of this transformation is Somboon Advance Technology (SAT), Thailand’s second-largest automotive parts supplier. Located in Rayong’s EEC, SAT has built Southeast Asia’s first fully operational 5G smart factory—a bold leap that turned Wi-Fi-powered operations into a high-speed, low-latency 5G showcase.
Working with AIS (Thailand’s top telecom operator), Huawei, and China’s Siasun Robot & Automation, the company has seen eye-popping results:
- +60% factory earnings
- –30% operating costs
Key technologies now humming on the shop floor include:
- 3D Vision Robots that double productivity by spotting and handling camshafts with near-perfect accuracy.
- Unmanned AGVs (automated guided vehicles) replacing forklifts, boosting shipping efficiency by 12% while reducing accidents.
- Smart Warehousing with automated storage/retrieval systems, slashing waste and supercharging inventory management.
The partnership deepened with the creation of Somboon Siasun Tech, a joint venture blending SAT’s automotive know-how with Siasun’s robotics expertise, underscoring Thailand’s increasingly tight tech links with China.
Government backing: Thailand 4.0 and the EEC
Bangkok isn’t leaving Industry 4.0 to chance. Through the Thailand 4.0 initiative and the Eastern Economic Corridor, the government is putting its weight behind automation with big-ticket incentives:
- 8 years corporate tax exemptions for automation and robotics investments.
- Full import duty waivers on advanced robotics hardware.
- THB 500 billion ($14 billion) earmarked for robotics and automation over three years, including a dedicated THB 50 billion fund ($1.5 billion) for the EEC.
The new SMC-Siasun Innovation Center in EECi is a flagship R&D hub where Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) is co-developing robotics, AI, and automation ecosystems with Chinese partners. The center’s purpose is to foster an innovation ecosystem in Thailand to support the adoption of Automation, Robotics, and Intelligent systems (ARI) within the industrial sector. The aim is to help Thai industries transition towards Industry 4.0 adaptation.
AI & GenAI take center stage
Thailand’s robotics revolution is increasingly powered by AI and GenAI. The country’s GenAI market is expected to skyrocket from $180 million in 2024 to $1.77 billion by 2030, while its broader AI industry could hit THB 114 billion by the same year.
Highlights include:
- Robot Software Market surging from $158 million (2023) to more than $1 billion by 2030.
- Siasun–Baidu AI Cloud partnership developing companion robots capable of health monitoring, safety checks, and conversational interaction.
This AI infusion is set to turbocharge cobots, autonomous mobile robots, and advanced industrial systems alike.
Cobots, cars, & chips: Industry adoption surges
Thailand’s key industries are already feeling the automation wave:
Automotive: The country’s 1,800+ auto companies are deploying more robots than ever. Ford’s recent $900 million expansion nearly doubled robotic installations in its Thai facilities. The government’s “30@30” EV plan—30% electric vehicle production by 2030—will accelerate automation even further.
- Electronics: Thailand, as the world’s second-largest hard drive maker, Thailand is turning to robotics for precision and volume. Meanwhile, $1.7 billion in new data center investments promises to deepen demand for AI-enabled automation.
- Warehousing & Logistics: Fueled by booming e-commerce, warehouse robotics in Thailand will jump from $23 million in 2024 to nearly $79 million by 2030.
- Healthcare: Medical robotics is expanding fast, with surgical robotics expected to more than double to $126 million by 2030. Rajavithi Hospital already runs the cutting-edge da Vinci Xi surgical robot.
Robotics-as-a-Service (RAAS) and business innovation
Global trends are reshaping business models. Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS)—expected to balloon from $16 billion in 2025 to $125 billion by 2034—is lowering barriers for SMEs in Thailand. Companies like Guardforce Cash Solutions Thailand (GFCS) are pioneering subscription robotics for logistics, security, and smart cash solutions.
See related: Is Thailand Next to Go Digital?
Sure Looks That Way: Investment, infrastructure, new-tech automation, and digital living converge in the Land of Sanuk
Challenges and the road ahead
Not everything is seamless. High upfront costs, integration complexity, and a shortage of AI-skilled talent remain hurdles. AWS’s recent pledge to train 100,000 Thais in AI by 2026 is one step toward bridging the gap.
Yet, with 73% of Thai firms preparing for AI adoption and international players betting big, momentum is unstoppable. By 2030, expect:
- AI-driven autonomous robots learning and adapting in real time.
- Digital twins optimizing factory performance.
- Green robotics aligning with sustainability goals.
Thailand’s moment
From pioneering 5G smart factories to forging deep AI partnerships with Chinese tech leaders, Thailand is positioning itself not just as Southeast Asia’s automation leader but as a global Industry 4.0 force.
With Somboon Advance Technology blazing the trail, a surge of government-backed incentives, and the rise of AI-powered robotics across industries, Thailand’s robotics revolution seems only to be just beginning—and it also seems that the world is taking notice.
