The Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI) has approved the investment promotion for a THB 2.3 billion research and development (R&D) project on Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) technology by a major American hard disk drive (HDD) manufacturer. This highlights Thailand’s increasingly investor-friendly legal framework for high-technology and innovation-driven industries. The project aims to increase HDD storage capacity from 32 TB to 100 TB by 2029 to support Data Centers, AI, and digital infrastructure.
This R&D project will also play a significant role in developing human capital and strengthening Thailand’s smart electronics supply chain through the development of suppliers and the use of locally produced raw materials and components exceeding 60%. In addition, the company will collaborate with Thai educational institutions and research agencies to develop modern manufacturing technology curricula and provide opportunities for Thai researchers to work alongside leading global technology firms. This initiative is expected to enhance the competitiveness of Thailand’s HDD industry and reinforce the country’s role as a global manufacturing and export base for HDD products.
In this relation, such project is granted by investment promotion which becomes eligible for significant tax and non-tax incentives, including corporate income tax exemptions, import duty exemptions on machinery and raw materials, and streamlined visa and work permit facilitation for foreign experts.