Thailand Electronics Design Industry Human Resource Development Project: The next great step for Thailand's knowledge based economy Electronic design is one of the most essential foundations for creating new technology and innovation to be utilised in major industries such as automotive, electronics and electrics, and information and communication technology (ICT). Although the electronics design industry in Thailand is worth around 4 billion baht per year, the growth rate of electronic design companies in the country is still very low. To overcome this and to ensure the country's future as the first knowledge-based economy in ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the Thai government is making a strong effort to enhance workforce skills that will enable the specific industrial needs to be met. It is with this goal in mind that the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), and Thai Embedded Systems Association (TESA), together with leading universities and companies in Thailand, have set up the "Thailand Electronics Design Industry Human Resource Development Project. " The aim of the project is to produce skilled labor by educating and training people studying in universities. Supporting integrated circuit design (IC) for the automotive software industry has been selected as a pilot project. After providing basic knowledge in the second year of university, senior level students will have an opportunity to take part in projects with companies and practice in the laboratories of 6 universities: Chulalongkorn University, Chiang Mai University, Kasetsart University, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Lad Krabang, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Thon Buri and Prince of Sonkla University. The first phase of this project was launched last year with only four companies involved. During the second phase of the project, three more companies began participating in the project. The seven companies are Silicon Craft Technology, Toyota Tsusho Electronic Thailand, Thai Ger Tech, Design Gateway, Forth Corp, NOR Solution and Saijo Denki International. The companies provide a boot camp for students to learn and develop their skills in the field.
Mr. Apinetr Unakul, president of TESA, pointed out that there are only a few companies in Thailand that bring electronics/IC design to apply in their business, though it can generate income of more than 3-5 million baht per person. In order to reach the success of countries such as South Korea or Taiwan, it is vital that Thailand develop a skilled workforce and provide support from related agencies. As regards how important this project is, the BOI provides tax incentive for those who join this program under the STI scheme. Benefits could include a corporate income tax exemption not exceeding 8 years and/or a non-capped tax exemption in order to encourage more companies to become involved. TESA strongly believes that the project will be very useful for creating valueadded technology designs to drive the future and strengthen the IC design industry in Thailand, and it will enable the country to reduce the knowledge gap among its employees. To move Thailand from being an original equipment manufacturer to an original design manufacturer, human resource development will play an essential part and will be a key to enhance the country's competitiveness. As a knowledge-based economy of Asian, in which productivity is generated by technology and creativity, Thailand hopes to see investors contribute to this project and to prosper along with us.