Taiwan's firms show more interest in Thailand, Taipei envoy says

Taiwanese companies are showing growing interest in investing in Thailand, according to Peter Lan, Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand.

Lan told The Nation's Franc Han Shih that Thailand is an important economic partner for Taiwan and that there is potential for greater cooperation in semiconductor and other high-tech industries, with communication between the two sides playing an important role.

Taiwan has emerged as one of the world's most important semiconductor manufacturing hubs, following decades of investment and collaboration between the government, private companies and research institutions.

Lan recommended the documentary, A Chip Odyssey, which chronicles Taiwan’s decades-long efforts to develop its semiconductor capabilities, as a way for Thai policymakers and the public to understand how the island built its position in the industry.

“it's a joint effort, by the way, by the government, the private sector, and also research institutes, that we put all together, the best engineers and also others to, from scratch, learn how to better manufacture the semiconductors.

Lan said Thailand had already identified semiconductors and other high-tech industries as important sectors for future development, but he stressed that clear policy direction would be crucial to determining where the two sides could cooperate most effectively.

“I keep saying that it's very important to position and policy direction of Thailand's future, so that we can identify areas or sectors of cooperation. We always welcome channel of communications. I think the most important part for future cooperation would always be communication and discussion,”

“As long as the Thai side has opened up channels of communications, myself and my office are always open for that kind of discussion,” Lan said.

Taiwan was Thailand’s sixth-largest source of foreign direct investment in 2025, with FDI value reaching more than 29 billion baht, according to figures cited by Lan. Bilateral trade between the two sides also reached almost US$20 billion, equivalent to approximately 662 billion baht, last year.

Asked about potential sensitivities surrounding Taiwan-related engagement in Thailand, Lan said some Thais may perceive cooperation with Taiwan as sensitive. He stressed, however, that economic and cultural cooperation are the priorities agreed between the two sides.

“For both sides, when it comes to exchange of views and strengthening cooperations, economic and cultural relations are the priority. So it is very important to always start with those cooperations, and we encourage people to do so,” Lan highlighted.

Strong foundation in trade and people-to-people ties

Beyond investment and technology, Lan said Thailand and Taiwan already have a strong foundation in people-to-people relations.

He said more than 200,000 Taiwanese currently live and work in Thailand, describing the community as the result of several waves of Taiwanese investment into the country.

Tourism and labour exchanges are also significant components of bilateral ties.

According to Lan, Thailand and Taiwan rank among each other’s top sources of tourists, with Thai tourists as the eighth-largest tourism market for Taiwan. Taiwan is also Thailand’s number-one overseas destination for Thai workers, he said, further demonstrating the close connections between the two societies.

Technology is increasingly adding another dimension to the relationship.

Lan said Taiwan is Thailand’s number-one foreign source of imports related to AI equipment and materials, highlighting the growing role of Taiwan in Thailand’s emerging technology ecosystem.

Taken together, Lan said the existing links in investment, trade, technology, education and people-to-people exchanges provide a strong platform for expanding cooperation.

“Looking forward, I think we will continue to strive to work with our Thai friends from different sectors, whether it’s the government or universities or companies, to further strengthen that,” he said.