Thailand's Semiconductor Sector On-Track to Tap $280B Global Automotive Electronics Industry

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The electronics and electrical appliances (E&E) industry in Thailand has long been an important sector to the nation, first as a manufacturer of white goods, then computers and parts, and now integrated circuits, hard disk drives, and printed circuit boards.

Constituting a nearly USD$100 billion industry, Thailand's E&E sector has played a vital role in growing the country's economy as a major export earner and positioning Thailand as one of the semiconductor leaders in the Southeast Asia region.

Taking note of this, SEMI, the global industry association serving the electronics manufacturing supply chains, will include discussions pertinent to Thailand's semiconductor industry at the upcoming SEMICON Southeast Asia 2016 (SEMICON SEA 2016), the region's premier showcase for microelectronics innovation.

According to Ng Kai Fai, President of SEMI Southeast Asia, "Forums and discussion sessions during SEMICON SEA 2016 will include topics that will interest semiconductor players from Thailand. This includes integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing, which is Thailand's largest electronic imports and second largest electronics exports as well as automotive electronics, a sector which is booming in Thailand."

"Thailand is in the list of the world's fifteen automotive manufacturing countries and the most important growth area within automotive electronics is infotainment. According to recent news reports, the global automotive electronics market is expected to reach USD280 billion by 2020. This provides a fertile ground for the semiconductor and electronics industry to strengthen the regional business collaborations between Thailand and Southeast Asia."

Set to take place from 26-28 April 2016 at the Subterranean Penang International Convention and Exhibition Centre (SPICE) in Penang, Malaysia, SEMICON SEA 2016 will offer a complete platform for engaging customers, suppliers, engineers and decision-makers from across the industry. With the objective to champion regional collaboration, the showcase will open new business opportunities for customers and foster stronger cross-regional engagement.

"The inaugural SEMICON SEA was a success with audiences from not only Malaysia, but also around the Southeast Asia region. This year, we expect additional regional participation given the expanded content of the show as well as the ever increasing need for regional collaboration," he added.

SEMICON SEA 2016 will focus on the key trends and solutions in semiconductor design and manufacturing, including emphasis on serving the needs of expanding applications markets many of which require development of specialised materials, packaging, and test technologies, as well as new architectures and processes.

Sponsors for SEMICON SEA 2016 included Advantest, Applied Materials, AMEC, ASE, Chip Shine, GlobalFoundries, EV Group, Indium, KLA-Tencor, Kulicke & Soffa, Lam Research, SCREEN, Tokyo Electron and Xcerra Corporation. Partners include Invest Penang, LEDExpo Thailand 2016, VLSI Consultancy, MATRADE, Malaysia Investment & Development Authority (MIDA), Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), Penang Tourism, SAMENTA and Singapore Manufacturing Federation.