Established in 1952, IBM Thailand provides services and IT solutions to a multitude of businesses through its state-of-the-art technologies, skilled and experienced IT workforce, and world class infrastructure. Since IBM established its first office in Phaholyothin, Bangkok, the country has in recent years emerged as a technology and IT hub. Today, IBM Thailand serves more than 5,000 clients, works with 700 partners nationwide and employs around 1,200 local residents for outsourcing delivery service. IBM Thailand has continually worked with the Thailand government to invest in the country’s growing IT and technology infrastructure to provide better technology support to clients in the public and private sectors, and to extend these capabilities and services throughout Thailand to provide clients with a competitive edge. 

IBM Thailand’s growing presence in the country can be attributed to several key factors including its technology leadership, innovative culture and diverse talent pool. In addition, for more than 60 years, Thailand’s partnership with IBM has played a major role in growing the country’s  IT sector. The country and IBM Thailand are committed to working together to achieve Thailand’s vision to become a globally competitive nation in the IT and technology space, with programs like IBM’s “Smarter Cities” helping Thailand’s cities of Chiang Mai, Chonburi and Khon Kaen become world-class “Smarter Cities.” 

Thailand’s Business Climate Offers Expansion Opportunities
 

The government’s commitment and dedication to make Thailand a superior business climate, and the ease of doing business in Thailand have attracted multinational companies to place new locations in the country, with IBM being one of many companies who have taken advantage of Thailand’s business assets and resources.  

“Foreign investors had strong confidence to choose Thailand as their preferred destination for investment,” says Kriengkrai Bhuvanij, IBM Thailand's Government Programs Executive.  

The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), the agency that assists companies and investors in identifying business opportunities in Thailand, is one of the many resources that helps ease the process of doing business in the country, and with exploring expansion opportunities. For example, in IBM’s search for its next location for a Global Delivery Center, the BOI provided such assistance as setting up meetings for IBM executives with stakeholders at other global companies, the American Chamber of Commerce, and addressing key concerns and issues. The center is now under the preparation phase and will be setup in Bangkok upon new business demand.

“BOI has been well listening to the voice of business sectors on their inputs to make Thailand be the mostly preferred destination for investment, at least, in the region,” says Mr. Bhuvanij. 

In addition to the plethora of business resources available to foreign investors, Thailand is also committed to growing its talent pool in the areas of IT, computer science and technology, and become the “workforce of the future” to attract new business opportunities as well as to continually service existing businesses like IBM. Programs such as KidSmart, TryScience and the Service Science and Academic Initiative teach students industry and social and business knowledge, as well as the strong technology skills that companies such as IBM look for. 

Thailand also recognized the potential to accelerate the growth of its talent pool by implementing intensive technology programs at its universities to train future employees that will have the proper skill set to work at global IT and technology-based companies.  IBM executives recently met with representatives from nine universities at Rajamangala University to discuss their information and observe the communications technology programs. The universities are capable of producing 50,000 business technology students per year, allowing for an ensured pipeline of qualified workers for IBM’s ICT programs in Thailand, as well as for other high technology companies currently in Thailand or are looking to invest in Southeast Asia. That potential workforce alone makes Thailand a preferred option for investments within the IT and technology sector because of the continued dedication for fostering and nurturing talent at the highly skilled level. 

Thailand’s partnership with IBM has created a positive outcome not only for the IT sector, but also in numerous other industries to create and maintain a “Smarter Thailand.” IBM Thailand has helped to provide proactive customer service capabilities in retail, traceable agriculture products for food and an integrated healthcare system that delivers better services while predicting and preventing diseases faster.  These are just some of the examples of Thailand’s dedication to making the country as a whole stronger and more efficient. By using the IT resources to expand into other leading industries, both Thailand and IBM will continue to thrive economically and revolutionize the country’s business climate for years to come.