Microsoft has announced plans to establish its first regional data center in Thailand, a move aimed at enhancing the availability of cloud services in the country. This development follows Chief Executive Satya Nadella's recent announcement of investments totaling $1.7 billion in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud infrastructure in neighboring Indonesia.
According to a statement by the company, the new data center region will significantly expand the availability of Microsoft's hyperscale cloud services in Thailand. Nadella highlighted the significance of this expansion, emphasizing that it will provide full capabilities of Azure, Microsoft's cloud computing platform, alongside world-class AI infrastructure.
In addition to improving accessibility to cloud services, the Thailand data centre will also contribute to enterprise-grade reliability, performance, and compliance with data residency and privacy standards, Microsoft stated.
The establishment of the data center aligns with Thailand's ambition to position itself as a digital economy hub. Prime Minister Srettha Thaivisin lauded Microsoft's investment, describing it as a pivotal moment in Thailand's digital economy development that will enhance competitiveness and fuel economic growth. Srettha expressed these sentiments on social media, underscoring the importance of Microsoft's commitment to Thailand's digital transformation.
As part of its broader commitment to the region, Microsoft has pledged to train 2.5 million individuals in Southeast Asia in the use of AI by 2025, further emphasizing its dedication to fostering digital skills and innovation in the region.