At a critical moment when global supply chains are being restructured and demand for AI computing power is surging, Thailand is emerging as a key hub for the next wave of high-end manufacturing in the electronics and circuit board industry.
The Taiwan Printed Circuit Association (TPCA) and the Thailand Printed Circuit Association (THPCA) jointly hosted the 2026 Thailand PCB Industry Summit in Bangkok on April 27. During the summit, the industry survey report, “AI and Geopolitics Converge: Opportunities in Thailand’s PCB Industry” ,was released. The event focused on key implementation issues, including work permit applications, talent cultivation, infrastructure, and industrial policy.
Positioned as a high-level strategic dialogue platform, the summit was also supported by the Hong Kong Printed Circuit Association (HKPCA) and the China Printed Circuit Association (CPCA). Nearly 60 industry leaders and representatives from Taiwan, China, and Thailand gathered for in-depth exchanges. Official representatives from the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), the Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO), and Thailand’s Ministry of Labour also attended, demonstrating the Thai government’s strong emphasis on PCB industry development and international collaboration.
Cross-Regional Survey Highlights Growth Trends in the Global PCB and Thailand Markets
One of the key highlights of the summit was the release of the survey report jointly completed by TPCA, THPCA, and HKPCA. Through cross-regional questionnaires and the consolidation of industry insights, the report presents shared concerns among the PCB industries in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand regarding investment deployment in Thailand, supply chain localization, and talent development.
The report not only enhances the representativeness of industry perspectives, but also underscores that, amid global industrial restructuring, Asia’s PCB industry is moving toward closer regional collaboration.
AI Drives the Global PCB Market Toward US$100 Billion, Creating Opportunities for Thailand’s High-Value Development
According to the report, the global PCB market continues to grow, driven by investment in AI infrastructure. The market size is expected to reach US$92.4 billion in 2025 and further rise to US$113.7 billion in 2026, representing an annual growth rate of 23.1%.
The report points out that demand for AI computing power has become a major growth driver for the global PCB industry. This trend is accelerating the development of high-end manufacturing and the restructuring of supply chains, creating a new wave of growth opportunities for Thailand’s industry and economy.
To address talent bottlenecks, TPCA also held the Taiwan–Thailand HR Industry Networking and Industry–Academia Exchange Meeting later that afternoon. The exchange focused on industry–academia collaboration, talent training, and local talent supply mechanisms. Discussions also addressed current shortages in key functions such as engineering and process technology, equipment maintenance, and research and development, with the aim of strengthening the long-term foundation of Thailand’s PCB industry.
In recent years, more than 60 PCB manufacturers have established operations in Thailand, gradually positioning the country as a high-value manufacturing base. Thailand is also continuing to capture demand from applications such as AI servers, advanced communications, and automotive electronics. Among these, automotive electronics account for 31%, the largest share among all application areas, reflecting Thailand’s established strength in the automotive industry cluster.
Meanwhile, as more than 100 investments across the PCB industry chain have gradually been implemented in recent years, rising demand for AI servers and communications has also driven Thailand’s PCB product structure toward higher-value segments, including multi-layer PCB, which account for 47%, and HDI which account for 23%.
PCB as the Foundation of the Semiconductor Industry: Call for Stronger Thai Government Support for Localized PCB Operations
The report notes that although Thailand’s PCB industry is expanding rapidly, the overall ecosystem still requires further development. Currently, 46% of companies have a local procurement ratio below 20%, indicating that local supply chain integration still needs to be strengthened.
During the government–industry dialogue session at the summit, industry representatives focused on four key issues.
First, regarding mechanism optimization, the industry suggested extending the validity period of urgent work permits to 60 to 90 days and allowing applications to be submitted in Taiwan before arrival in Thailand, so as to support the smooth start-up of key production processes.
Second, in response to talent shortages, the industry called on the government to support dedicated industry–academia programs and internship systems, as well as provide subsidies for corporate training programs.
Third, in terms of infrastructure, as demand for high-end manufacturing increases, stable electricity, green energy, and water resource treatment capabilities will be essential to ensuring reliable operations.
Finally, as Thailand advances its semiconductor development policy, industry representatives emphasized that a sound PCB industry chain must first be established, as it will lay a solid foundation for Thailand’s broader technological development. The industry jointly called on the Thai government to designate PCB as a national-level key development industry and strengthen policy support for the PCB sector, thereby further enhancing Thailand’s competitiveness in the global AI supply chain.
Talent Bottlenecks Are Critical to Industry Development; TPCA Actively Promotes Professional Talent Cultivation in Thailand
The report further shows that the most significant current gaps are concentrated in local material supply, accounting for 35%, followed by operators and engineering technical personnel at 22%, and equipment parts logistics and maintenance services at 21%. These challenges across materials, equipment, and talent supply indicate that Thailand’s PCB industry must continue to reinforce supply chain support and talent cultivation in order to sustain its next stage of development.
By 2030, demand for related talent is expected to increase further to 74,200 people.
As industrial deployment continues to take shape, the next stage of Thailand’s PCB industry development will no longer focus solely on capacity expansion, but on accelerating the establishment of a high-end manufacturing ecosystem. Future competitiveness will depend on whether supply chain localization, talent cultivation, and supporting measures can continue to improve.
TPCA will continue to work with THPCA, BOI, IEAT, NXPO, TECO, and other partners to plan more diverse professional talent cultivation platforms. These efforts aim to help channel government resources into enterprises, jointly support the PCB industry chain, enhance the professional capabilities of Thai talent, and ultimately make a significant contribution to Thailand’s overall society and economy.
To learn more, visit www.tpca.org.tw.
