Google to invest $1 bln in developing data center in Thailand
Alphabet Inc's Google announced on Monday that it will invest $1 billion in Thailand to build a data center and cloud region to meet growing cloud demand and support artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in Southeast Asia.
Google will invest $1 billion in Thailand to build a data center and cloud region. Photo courtesy of Vietnam News Agency.
The investment will create an average of 14,000 jobs annually until 2029, Google said.
Google stressed that its cloud and data center infrastructure in Bangkok and Chon Buri will help meet growing demand for Google Cloud capabilities and AI innovations, and the company’s popular digital services - such as Search, Maps, and Google Workspace.
The data center will be located in an industrial estate in Chon Buri, while the Google cloud region, which consists of hardware and software dedicated to providing services to private and public sector entities, will be in the capital Bangkok.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said Google's investment was "perfectly aligned" with the Southeast Asian nation's Cloud First Policy.
The same day, Paetongtarn met with Ruth Porat, President & Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet Inc. and Google, to discuss cooperation in technology. The discussion also touched on Google's investment plan for digital infrastructure development in the country.
- Read More
Philippines’ first EV battery factory inaugurated
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has inaugurated the first factory for electric vehicle (EV) batteries in the Southeast Asian country, calling it the "future" of clean energy.
Southeast Asia - Tue, October 1, 2024 | 7:20 pm GMT+7
Malaysia jumps high in 2024 Global Innovation Index
Malaysia ranked 33rd out of 133 countries in the 2024 Global Innovation Index (GII) – the highest achievement since 2016, according to Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Chang Lih Kang.
Southeast Asia - Tue, October 1, 2024 | 7:19 pm GMT+7
Thailand: Strong baht puts pressure on export, tourism
A rapid appreciation of the Thai baht (THB) is hitting exports and tourism, says the Bank of Thailand.
Southeast Asia - Tue, October 1, 2024 | 7:18 pm GMT+7
Malaysian currency jumps to 39-month high against US dollar
The Malaysian ringgit (MYR) jumped against the US dollar at the close on Monday, reaching its highest level in 39 months on continued expectation of another cut in U.S. interest rates after the latest inflation data there.
Southeast Asia - Tue, October 1, 2024 | 7:16 pm GMT+7
Singapore dollar hits 10-year high
The Singaporean currency (SGD) is trading against the USD at its strongest level in almost a decade, touching new highs in recent weeks amid lower US interest rates coupled with investors' confidence in its resilient economy.
Southeast Asia - Tue, October 1, 2024 | 7:14 pm GMT+7
Meta upbeat about Vietnam investment environment, seeks regulatory consistency
Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has "great confidence" in Vietnam as an investment destination, as evidenced by its foray into manufacturing virtual reality headset Quest 3S in the country, says Nick Clegg, its global affairs president.
Companies - Tue, October 1, 2024 | 7:11 pm GMT+7
Vietnam Rubber Association elects Vietnam Rubber Industry Group general director as new chairman
Le Thanh Hung, general director of Vietnam Rubber Industry Group, listed on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange as VRG, has been elected chairman of the Vietnam Rubber Association (VRA).
Companies - Tue, October 1, 2024 | 4:56 pm GMT+7
Quang Ninh welcomes 3,500 Hong Kong guests on luxury cruise
Italian-flagged five-star cruise ship Costa Serena docked at the Ha Long International Cruise Port Monday, bringing nearly 3,500 passengers from Hong Kong to the northern Vietnam province of Quang Ninh.
Travel - Tue, October 1, 2024 | 4:31 pm GMT+7
Vietnam real estate prices to go up as new laws are enforced: experts
Enforcement of the 2023 Housing Law, the 2023 Real Estate Business Law and the 2024 Land Law since August will see prices of certain real estate types continue to rise in the future, experts say.
Real Estate - Tue, October 1, 2024 | 4:02 pm GMT+7
Meta plans to produce mixed reality VR headset Quest 3S in Vietnam
California-based Meta, formerly Facebook, plans to produce its mixed reality virtual headset Quest 3S in Vietnam next year as the American tech giant eyes deeper engagement in the Southeast Asian country.
Industries - Tue, October 1, 2024 | 10:11 am GMT+7
Keppel to sell 70% of its stake in Vietnam-based Saigon Sports City for up to $300 mln
Singapore-headquartered conglomerate Keppel will sell 70% of its stake at Saigon Sports City Limited, the operator of its 64-hectare real estate project in District 2, a prime location in Ho Chi Minh City.
Real Estate - Tue, October 1, 2024 | 9:51 am GMT+7
Typhoon Yagi disruption leads to fall in Vietnam’s factory activity
Vietnam’s manufacturing activity contracted in September, with output, new orders, purchasing and stocks of inputs all declining, as typhoon Yagi caused temporary business closures and delays across production lines and supply chains.
Economy - Tue, October 1, 2024 | 9:11 am GMT+7
AI, semiconductor important to Indonesia’s digital economy: minister
Indonesia has a big opportunity to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor ecosystem among the ASEAN countries, according to the country’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto.
Southeast Asia - Tue, October 1, 2024 | 8:08 am GMT+7
Indonesia strives to increase special economic zones’ competitiveness
Indonesia will continue to encourage special economic zones (SEZs) to expand and compete with those in Malaysia and Singapore, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said on Sunday.
Southeast Asia - Tue, October 1, 2024 | 8:07 am GMT+7
Malaysia’s FDI attraction rises in Q2
Malaysia's foreign direct investment (FDI) increased to MYR 9.08 billion ($2.2 billion) in the second quarter of 2024, reflecting a strong inflow of foreign capital.
Southeast Asia - Tue, October 1, 2024 | 8:06 am GMT+7
Thailand to buy more solar power from households
Thailand’s energy authorities are considering buying more solar power from households as part of efforts to promote clean energy and increase installation of rooftop solar panels.
Southeast Asia - Tue, October 1, 2024 | 8:04 am GMT+7
