BOI Korea Roadshow 2026: Hyundai and T-Robotics Talks
Thailand BOI visited Seoul on Sept 28-29, 2026, meeting Hyundai, T-Robotics, and COSMAX to push for R&D and smart manufacturing investments.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Thailand BOI led a public-private delegation to Seoul, South Korea, on September 28-29, 2026
- Delegation met with executives from Hyundai, T-Robotics, COSMAX, and FKI
- Focuses on attracting investments in semiconductors, robotics, and AI Data Centers
- Urges Korean firms to upgrade Thai operations into R&D and smart manufacturing hubs
A Thai public and private sector delegation led by the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) visited Seoul, South Korea, from September 28 to 29, 2026, to engage with major South Korean enterprises including Hyundai, T-Robotics, and COSMAX, alongside The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI). The mission aimed to promote Thailand's investment potential in target industries and future technologies.
Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary-General of the BOI, stated that the delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Industry, Bank of Thailand, Federation of Thai Industries, and Thai Chamber of Commerce. During discussions with FKI, the primary economic organization in South Korea, FKI noted that Korean companies are expanding investments in three key areas: semiconductors, robotics (Physical AI), and AI Data Centers, while Korean investments in ASEAN have more than doubled since 2010 to around 10 billion US dollars annually.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Regarding T-Robotics, a South Korean industrial robotics specialist and partner of Applied Materials, the BOI invited the company to expand its business in Thailand to support advanced electronics and semiconductor sectors. T-Robotics proposed three areas of cooperation: workforce development with Thai universities, component supply chain creation, and local client connections. Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor, which launched its BEV and lithium-ion battery plant in Samut Prakan in May 2026, was urged by the BOI to elevate its investment into research and development (R&D) and smart manufacturing.
COSMAX, a global leader in cosmetics R&D and manufacturing, is currently investing over 1.8 billion baht to build a new smart manufacturing factory in Thailand. The company currently employs over 500 Thai workers, with plans to increase to more than 700 next year, and collaborates with Thai academic institutions such as Chulalongkorn University to develop ingredients from local raw materials.
"South Korea possesses strengths in both High Tech and High Touch, spanning advanced technology industries, robotics and automation, modern automotive, semiconductors, electronics, digital and AI, as well as creative industries, health, and beauty."
Narit Therdsteerasukdi
This roadshow by the BOI highlights Thailand's strategic shift from a traditional assembly and manufacturing base toward a high-value innovation hub. By targeting future sectors such as Physical AI and advanced semiconductors, Thailand aims to integrate smart manufacturing technologies and foster deep supply chain integration with global industry leaders.
According to BOI statistics, over the past five years spanning 2021 to the first half of 2026, South Korean investors submitted 176 project applications worth over 65,900 million baht, largely concentrated in electronics, appliances, machinery, and chemical industries with key players like Samsung, LG, Hyundai, Posco, Hanwha, and Doosan.
Source: Techsauce
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