5-4-2024 (BANGKOK) Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to welcome Microsoft titan Satya Nadella at the Government House next month, sparking anticipation for a crucial discussion on technological advancements.
According to reports, the meeting will focus on investments in a state-of-the-art data centre, the Cloud First platform, and groundbreaking strides in artificial intelligence (AI) within Thailand.
Nadella’s highly anticipated visit will coincide with the Microsoft Build: AI Day event on May 1. This significant occasion, taking place at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok, aims to showcase the growing synergy between the tech giant and the Thai government.
The event will be attended by a group of global corporate leaders, as well as local companies and software developers. Prime Minister Srettha, aged 62, is scheduled to deliver a keynote address, highlighting Thailand’s commitment to tech-driven progress.
Insider sources suggest that following the event, a private luncheon will be held at the Government House, where PM Srettha and Nadella will discuss collaborative tech ventures and strategic investments. This meeting marks a significant milestone following the signing of a landmark memorandum of understanding (MOU) during the Prime Minister’s visit to the United States last November, signaling a new era of digital innovation and economic growth.
At the heart of the agreement is Microsoft’s pivotal role in strengthening Thailand’s digital infrastructure. The initiatives include e-government services, industrial AI applications, and support for sectors crucial to national development, as reported by The Nation.
Furthermore, Microsoft has pledged unwavering support for Thailand’s eco-centric endeavors, including commitments to achieving net-zero emissions and integrating renewable energy.
In an announcement made yesterday, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella revealed that his visit to Thailand and other Southeast Asian nations would be delayed. The eagerly awaited Microsoft Build: AI Day event, originally scheduled for March 21 in Bangkok, has now been indefinitely postponed.
“We are diligently working to reschedule the event and will provide details as soon as possible,” stated the company.
The sudden change in plans has raised speculation among tech enthusiasts, as no explicit reason has been given for the postponement. Additionally, it remains uncertain whether Nadella will attend the rescheduled event.
Initially planned as a whirlwind tour from March 19 to 21, Nadella had intended to visit Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Jakarta for separate AI Day engagements. His highly anticipated meeting with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, scheduled during his Bangkok visit, now hangs in the balance.
The highlight of the canceled Microsoft Build: AI Day in Bangkok was Nadella’s keynote address on the dawn of a new era in artificial intelligence. The event was eagerly awaited by tech enthusiasts, as it promised insights into the transformative power of AI for organizations and society as a whole.
Nadella, originally from India, last visited Thailand in 2016, pledging Microsoft’s support to strengthen the nation’s developer community during the Microsoft Thailand Developer Day event, according to The Nation.
Nadella took the helm of Microsoft in 2014, succeeding Steve Ballmer as CEO and John Thompson as chairman in 2021.
