Prof. Dr. Surin Khomfoi, Vice President of NXPO, represented Thailand at the 3rd Regional Workshop, “Developing the ASEAN Semiconductor Roadmap: Enabling Pathways for Strategic Investment,” held on 16–17 July 2026 in Manila, Philippines. Organized by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of the Philippines, the workshop aimed to shape the future of ASEAN’s semiconductor industry. He was accompanied by Dr. Oraphan Wiarachai, Assistant to the President of NXPO, and Dr. Pornpen Sae-ung, Senior Policy Specialist at NXPO.
The workshop followed the endorsement of the ASEAN Semiconductor Roadmap: Enabling Pathways for Strategic Investment as one of the Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) under the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship. Participants worked toward developing a roadmap to strengthen ASEAN’s semiconductor industry through coordinated policy directions, institutional mechanisms, and governance frameworks. The roadmap is intended to position ASEAN as a more attractive destination for global semiconductor investment. The workshop outcomes will inform the draft roadmap and supporting documents, as well as provide key inputs for discussions under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), fostering shared ownership among ASEAN Member States and supporting future implementation.
Thailand’s participation is in line with the policy direction announced by Prof. Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), at the 22nd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-22) held on 26 June 2026 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. At the meeting, Thailand reaffirmed its full support for the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI) 2026–2035 and proposed the development of an ASEAN Semiconductor Cooperation Framework to strengthen regional integration across semiconductor supply chains, industries, and innovation ecosystems, thereby enhancing ASEAN’s global competitiveness.
During the workshop, Prof. Dr. Surin presented Thailand’s policy recommendations to strengthen regional collaboration in the semiconductor sector. He emphasized the importance of establishing an ASEAN platform for the development and exchange of highly skilled semiconductor talent, alongside enhancing regional science, research, innovation, and technology infrastructure to support the industry’s long-term growth. These collaborative efforts will help build a stronger and more resilient ASEAN semiconductor ecosystem, reinforce the region’s collective competitiveness, and better position ASEAN to respond to future shifts in the global economy.
