• Alibaba Cloud launches second data centre in Thailand.
• AWS, Microsoft, Google, and Tencent expanding in the region.

Alibaba Cloud is expanding its footprint in Thailand, launching its second data centre to meet the country’s growing demand for cloud services and support the region’s push toward digital transformation.

The new facility will strengthen Alibaba Cloud’s local capacity, enhancing disaster recovery capabilities and improving performance for businesses adopting cloud and AI technologies – especially those exploring generative AI applications.

“Our latest data centre strengthens our commitment to providing reliable, secure, and high-performance cloud services tailored to the needs of local businesses,” said Sean Yuan, Vice President of International Business at Alibaba Cloud Intelligence.

“With enhanced local infrastructure, we aim to empower enterprises to use the full potential of cloud technology, especially in generative AI applications.”

Expanding presence in Southeast Asia

The opening of the second Thai data centre brings Alibaba Cloud’s global infrastructure to 86 availability zones across 28 regions, further cementing its position as one of the leading cloud provider in Southeast Asia.

The first Thai data centre opened in 2022, and this latest expansion reflects growing demand from businesses in sectors like fintech, retail, and public services.

Alibaba Cloud isn’t alone in ramping up its investment in Thailand. Tencent operates two availability zones in Bangkok, while Amazon Web Services (AWS) launched its first Thailand region in January 2024. Meanwhile, Microsoft and Google are also building data centres, with Microsoft unveiling plans in May 2024 and Google following in September.

Tailored solutions for Thai businesses

With two local data centres, Alibaba Cloud is expanding its range of services to support businesses navigating digital transformation.

The company offers elastic computing, storage, databases, security, networks, AI-powered tools, and data analytics platforms, designed to help businesses tackle industry-specific challenges.

One such option is AnalyticDB’s cloud-native vector engine, which enables Thai fintech and retail businesses to build retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) applications.

The AI solutions assist businesses creating dedicated knowledge bases, managing structured and unstructured data, and developing chatbots and personalised customer experiences.

Alibaba Cloud has also introduced the Container Compute Service (ACS), which uses Kubernetes for workload management.

Building local partnerships and nurturing talent

Alibaba Cloud is actively collaborating with Thai companies and partners to advance digital transformation. The company has partnered with 70 local firms, including Cloud HM, Kaopanwa, Softdebut, Thai Data Cloud, and True IDC, to deliver cloud services and drive cloud adoption across industries.

Thai businesses like True Digital Group – part of True Corporation – are already using Alibaba Cloud’s database and container technologies to enhance the scalability of its energy platform.

Meanwhile, software company Codium has teamed with Alibaba Cloud to offer digital workplace solutions, strengthening the country’s cloud ecosystem. Alibaba Cloud collaborates with universities, including Chulalongkorn University, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Prince of Songkla University, and Bangkok University, offering cloud computing and AI training.

In late 2023, Alibaba Cloud launched its first global skills centre at Chulalongkorn University, providing free courses, boot camps, and AI competitions to help students and professionals build their careers.

A secure and resilient cloud platform

The company holds over 140 security and compliance certifications globally to enhance cyber protection and resilience. With two data centres now in place, businesses in Thailand can use Alibaba Cloud’s scalable platform for workloads that comply with local regulations.

Alibaba Cloud’s expansion in Thailand is part of a broader growth strategy. The company has announced plans to expand in Mexico, the Philippines, and South Korea.

Thailand is emerging as a hub for cloud infrastructure in Southeast Asia. Alibaba’s investment reflects its confidence in the region, and by expanding its presence, the company is offering businesses some of the tools they need to innovate and scale.

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