Thailand has approved Western Digital’s investment project valued at THB 23.5 billion (approximately USD 693 million), marking a significant development in the country’s data storage industry. Western Digital, a leading global technology company specializing in hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), and other storage solutions, aims to increase hard disk production in Thailand in response to growing demand for cloud technology and data centers.
This investment is expected to have a positive impact on the Thai economy, generating 10,000 new jobs and boosting exports by an estimated THB 200 billion (USD 5.9 billion) annually. Western Digital already plays a crucial role in Thailand’s economy, employing 28,000 people. Thailand has established itself as a major player in the global hard disk drive industry, producing 80% of the world’s HDDs and ranking as the second-largest HDD producer worldwide, after China.
In 2023, Seagate, another industry leader, expanded its operations in Thailand. The HDD industry’s growth in Thailand is driven by increasing demand for data storage, fueled by the proliferation of hyperscale clouds, data centers, and the rise of generative AI, which has also led to higher HDD prices.
Despite the global shift towards SSD, HDDs continue to be relevant due to their cost-effectiveness, particularly for large-scale data storage needs. This investment by Western Digital underscores Thailand’s strategic importance in the global data storage market and its continued relevance in the evolving landscape of digital technology.
(Source: Thailand Business News)
