Thailand is taking a significant step toward technological self-reliance by entering the global race to develop artificial intelligence. In a collaborative effort between the public and private sectors, the country is building its own Large Language Model (LLM) to support AI that operates in the Thai language—strengthening its digital competitiveness on the global stage.

As part of its sovereign AI strategy, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) has partnered with Siam AI Corporation to create a Thai LLM. This marks a critical advancement in developing homegrown AI technology tailored specifically to the country’s linguistic and cultural context.

“This initiative will play an essential role in accelerating AI development that aligns with Thailand’s needs, promoting innovation in digital services and improving the nation’s long-term competitiveness,” said Dr. Sukit Limpijumnong, President of the NSTDA.

Ratanaphon Wongnapachant, Chief Executive of Siam AI, emphasized the strategic importance of building Thai-language AI models domestically. “We should develop Thai LLM, as it is our native language. Relying solely on foreign-developed models could lead to the loss of valuable data and insights that are vital for cognitive and technological advancement,” she said.

LLMs are sophisticated AI systems capable of processing and generating human language. They require extensive training using massive datasets and can be applied in a wide range of areas from virtual assistants and content generation to software development and academic research.

Thailand has already been making strides in AI infrastructure development, particularly through a surge in data center investments. Leading global and local companies including Amazon, Apple, and Alphabet are participating in this expansion, helping to establish the necessary physical backbone for AI growth.
However, experts note that data centers alone are not sufficient. A robust software ecosystem is equally crucial, and at the heart of this is the need for localized LLMs. To ensure AI that understands and communicates effectively in Thai, the country must develop its own model.

Thailand now joins a select group of nations in Asia alongside China, Japan, and South Korea that have launched or are actively developing their own LLMs.
According to the NSTDA, the Thai LLM will feature 7 billion parameters and is expected to be completed within three months.