Infineon to open new Thai chip plant on Oct. 1 with THB48bn investment

• The plant will make power modules, test semiconductors and house an R&D centre.
• Infineon plans to hire more than 5,000 Thai staff.
• The BOI says the project is tied to Thailand's chip strategy.

Thailand's Board of Investment says Infineon Technologies Manufacturing (Thailand) will formally open its new plant in Samut Prakan on Oct. 1, with the prime minister to preside. The project carries investment of more than THB48 billion.

Infineon to open new Thai chip plant on Oct. 1 with THB48bn investment

The BOI said the facility will cover power module production, semiconductor testing and a large semiconductor research and development centre, the first of its kind in Thailand. It said Infineon will hire more than 5,000 Thai workers.

The agency said the approval includes conditions for the company to develop more than 600 Thai science and technology staff, including more than 400 production engineers and more than 200 in research and development. It also said more than 130 Thai staff will be sent abroad for specialist training.

Infineon is also set to work with universities on at least 60 semiconductor-related courses, 680 training projects and at least 18 research projects with universities and research institutes in Thailand. The company also plans to develop at least 14 Thai suppliers and raise local content to 60%.

The BOI said the project is part of Thailand's national semiconductor strategy, which was approved on Sept. 24 and aims to attract at least THB500 billion in investment in the first five years and THB2.5 trillion by 2050.