BOI Board Launches ‘FastPass’ to Propel Thailand as a Digital Hub

The Board of Investment (BOI) has approved urgent measures under the “Quick Big Win” policy to accelerate investment. Key highlights include

1. Launch of “FastPass” System: Cutting Red Tape and Time by 50%

The BOI is collaborating with 7 key agencies (e.g., DIW, IEAT, Immigration, EEC, Department of Employment) to establish a “FastPass” lane for critical investment projects.

Goal: Reduce approval/processing time by 20–50%.

Resolving 3 Key Roadblocks:

Electricity: Accelerate Green Energy Utility (UGT2) criteria and Direct PPA mechanisms by 2025 to support Data Centers.

Land: Adjust city planning to expand industrial estate areas and speed up EIA processes.

Visa/Work Permit: Guarantee e-Visa issuance within 1–5 days and expand One Start One Stop Service (OSS) capacity to 500 queues/day (up from 200).

2.Revised Data Center Criteria: Hiring “Thais” for Tax Incentives

New investment promotion conditions for Data Centers have been introduced to maximize local benefits:

New Condition: Companies must employ at least 50% Thai personnel in management and expert positions within 3 years.

Incentives: Investments located “outside the EEC” will receive a Corporate Income Tax exemption for 5–8 years (higher than within the EEC) to distribute economic growth to other regions.

3.Approval of 4 Mega Data Center Projects (Totaling Nearly ฿100 Billion)

Zenith Data Center (Hyperscale): Investment of ฿54.85 billion (Navanakorn, Pathum Thani).

NextGen Data Center (Hyperscale): Investment of ฿26.72 billion (Navanakorn, Pathum Thani).

Vistus Technology (ZDATA Group, Singapore): Investment of ฿9.09 billion (Amata City, Chonburi).

Telehouse (KDDI Group, Japan): Investment of ฿7.55 billion (Bangkok).

4.Progress Update on Previous Projects

A follow-up on large-scale projects approved during 2023–2024 (totaling over ฿300 billion) reveals that over 80% have already commenced actual investment or have clear construction plans.