AWS Expands its Reach: Launch of Asia Pacific (Thailand) Region

The world of cloud computing is ever-evolving, and today marks a significant milestone for the industry as Amazon Web Services (AWS) announces the official launch of its Asia Pacific (Thailand) Region. This new region, designated as ap-southeast-7, comes with three Availability Zones and signifies AWS’s deepening commitment to the Asia Pacific market, particularly in Thailand.

AWS’s Growing Footprint in Asia Pacific

The introduction of the AWS Asia Pacific (Thailand) Region positions Thailand as a crucial hub in AWS’s extensive global network. This region is the first of its kind in Thailand and the fourteenth in the Asia Pacific, adding to the existing infrastructure in Hong Kong, Hyderabad, Jakarta, Malaysia, Melbourne, Mumbai, Osaka, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, and Tokyo, as well as the regions in Beijing and Ningxia, China.

The Strategic Importance of Cloud Computing in Thailand

Thailand has been rapidly embracing cloud technology, spurred by initiatives like Thailand 4.0. This government-driven plan aims to modernize the economy through innovation and technological advancement. The AWS Thailand Region will empower startups, enterprises, government bodies, educational institutions, and non-profits by enabling them to run applications and manage data within the country, thus aligning with Thailand’s digital transformation goals.

AWS’s planned investments in Thailand over the next 15 years are projected to significantly boost the country’s economy, contributing an estimated $10 billion to its GDP and supporting approximately 11,000 full-time equivalent jobs annually in local businesses.

AWS’s Journey and Infrastructure Development in Thailand

AWS’s journey in Thailand began in 2013 with the opening of its first office in Bangkok. Since then, AWS has steadily expanded its infrastructure and service offerings across the country:

• Amazon CloudFront: Since 2020, AWS has established six Amazon CloudFront edge locations in Thailand. These locations are part of AWS’s content delivery network (CDN), which enhances the speed and reliability of data, video, and application delivery to users globally.
• AWS Outposts: Also introduced in 2020, AWS Outposts bring AWS infrastructure and services to on-premises or edge locations, providing a consistent hybrid cloud experience. This is beneficial for workloads that require low latency or local data processing.
• AWS Local Zones: In 2022, AWS launched Local Zones in Bangkok, placing computing and storage resources closer to major population and industrial centers. This reduces latency and improves the performance of applications.
• AWS Direct Connect: In 2023, AWS enhanced connectivity options by establishing a Direct Connect location in Bangkok. This service allows customers to establish secure, dedicated network connections to AWS resources, improving network performance and reducing bandwidth costs.
  

  Success Stories: AWS Customers in Thailand
  

  Several organizations in Thailand have already harnessed AWS’s capabilities to drive innovation:

• 2C2P: This FinTech startup has leveraged AWS’s robust security and scalability features to handle millions of global payment transactions. AWS CloudHSM and AWS Shield help manage cryptographic keys and protect against DDoS attacks, respectively.
• aCommerce: As Southeast Asia’s largest ecommerce enabler, aCommerce utilizes AWS to power its AskIQ platform, providing brands with comprehensive market intelligence. This collaboration allows aCommerce to focus on its core competencies without the burden of maintaining complex data infrastructure.
• Ascend Money: This prominent FinTech company achieved a 70% reduction in compute costs and improved application performance by using AWS’s EC2 instances, demonstrating the operational efficiencies possible with AWS.
  

  Building Cloud Skills in Thailand
  

  AWS is committed to fostering cloud education and skills development in Thailand. Since 2017, AWS has trained over 50,000 individuals through various programs:

• AWS Skill Builder: An online learning platform offering over 600 courses, including 106 in Thai, to help users build cloud skills.
• AWS Educate: Integrated into Thai educational curricula, this program provides students with hands-on experience with AWS resources, benefiting over 20,000 students.
• AWS Academy: Partnering with over 30 universities, AWS Academy provides cloud computing curricula aligned with industry needs, ensuring students acquire practical, job-ready skills.

  These initiatives are pivotal in equipping Thailand’s workforce with the skills necessary to thrive in a digital economy.

  Supporting Sustainable Innovation in Thailand
  

  AWS also supports Thai companies leading environmental initiatives:

• BODA Technology & Consultancy: This startup uses AWS IoT Core for AI-powered solutions to optimize energy efficiency in over 100,000 buildings and factories.
• GSPC Group: A sustainable power company, GSPC Group migrated its operations to AWS Cloud, achieving significant cost reductions and demonstrating how AWS supports the energy sector’s digital transformation.
  

  AWS Community and Global Footprint
  

  Thailand’s AWS community is vibrant, with two AWS Heroes, seven AWS Community Builders, and over 17,000 AWS User Group members. This community is pivotal in fostering collaboration and innovation.

  Globally, AWS now operates 111 Availability Zones in 35 regions, with plans to expand further into Germany, Taiwan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and New Zealand.

  Conclusion: A New Era for AWS in Thailand
  

  The launch of the AWS Asia Pacific (Thailand) Region marks a significant step in AWS’s global expansion, offering new opportunities for businesses and individuals in Thailand. For those looking to leverage these resources, further information is available on the AWS Global Infrastructure page. This development not only supports Thailand’s digital transformation but also sets the stage for future growth and innovation in the region.

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