Thailand launches first locally-operated hyperscale cloud platform

Thailand has launched its first hyperscale cloud platform operated entirely by a Thai company, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s push for digital sovereignty and technological independence. AIS Business, the enterprise division of Thailand’s largest telecommunications company AIS, unveiled AIS Cloud powered by Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, designed to keep sensitive data within Thai borders while providing enterprise-grade computing power.

This development addresses growing concerns among Thai businesses and government agencies about data security, regulatory compliance, and dependence on foreign cloud infrastructure. Unlike traditional cloud services where data might be processed or stored overseas, hyperscale cloud platforms—massive, highly automated data center infrastructures capable of scaling to handle enormous workloads—typically offer greater control over data location and processing.

Why data sovereignty matters for Thai organizations

The platform specifically targets public institutions and private businesses seeking to modernize their operations while maintaining compliance with local legal and regulatory frameworks. For many Thai organizations, this represents a crucial balance between accessing cutting-edge technology and maintaining control over sensitive information.

Operating from locally hosted data centers, the infrastructure complies with Thai cybersecurity laws and reduces dependence on foreign cloud services. This approach becomes particularly important as businesses increasingly adopt artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data analytics—technologies that require substantial computing power and often involve processing sensitive commercial or personal information.

Phupa Akavipat, chief enterprise business officer at AIS, emphasized the strategic importance of this development: “We firmly believe that Thailand must have its own AI capabilities to ensure long-term technological sovereignty and resilience. At AIS, we are convinced that ‘digital infrastructure owned and operated by Thais’ is the cornerstone of national development in the digital era.”

Oracle partnership enables enterprise-grade capabilities

The collaboration with Oracle, a major American cloud infrastructure provider, allows AIS to offer enterprise-grade capabilities while maintaining local operation and control. This partnership model lets Thai businesses access advanced cloud technologies without compromising data sovereignty—Oracle provides the underlying technology platform, while AIS handles all operations, customer relationships, and data management within Thailand.

The platform offers auto-scaling capabilities, which automatically adjust computing resources based on demand, helping businesses handle varying workloads without manual intervention. This feature proves particularly valuable for organizations implementing AI and machine learning projects, which often require sudden bursts of computing power for training algorithms or processing large datasets.

Government certification validates security standards

AIS Cloud has achieved another significant milestone by becoming the first cloud provider in Thailand to receive dSURE 3-Star Cloud certification from the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), Thailand’s primary government body overseeing digital transformation initiatives. This certification system evaluates cloud providers on security, reliability, and compliance with Thai regulations.

Passakon Prathombutr, senior executive vice president and chief technology officer at DEPA, explained the agency’s role: “DEPA’s core mission is to drive strategic development of Thailand’s digital economy and society by promoting the adoption of appropriate technologies such as cloud computing, AI, Big Data and IoT across business, industrial and government sectors.”

The dSURE certification provides Thai organizations with confidence that the platform meets rigorous security and compliance standards, which becomes crucial when handling sensitive government data or regulated business information.

Localized service approach

Beyond technical capabilities, AIS Cloud differentiates itself through localized service delivery. The platform includes Thai-language contracts, billing in local currency, and local-language technical support—features that simplify cloud adoption for domestic businesses that might struggle with foreign providers’ service models.

This localization extends to understanding Thai business practices, regulatory requirements, and cultural preferences in technology deployment. For many local businesses, particularly smaller enterprises, these service elements can prove as important as the underlying technical capabilities.

Network-as-a-Service integration

Alongside the cloud platform, AIS has introduced a Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) offering that allows businesses to configure and manage their networks through a self-service portal. This service includes options to expand connections domestically and internationally via fiber or 5G technology.

The NaaS platform integrates directly with AIS Cloud, creating a comprehensive infrastructure solution. Businesses can manage both their computing resources and network connectivity through unified interfaces, with 24/7 support and security oversight. This integration becomes particularly valuable for organizations implementing hybrid cloud strategies, where some workloads run locally while others utilize cloud resources.

Strategic implications for Thailand’s digital future

AIS positions this launch as part of a broader strategy to establish Thailand as a regional leader in digital technology. The company plans to continue developing solutions across hybrid cloud, multi-cloud, and API-based architectures—approaches that allow businesses to distribute workloads across multiple platforms while maintaining integration and control.

This development reflects Thailand’s broader digital transformation goals, which emphasize building local technological capabilities while remaining connected to global innovation networks. By maintaining data sovereignty while accessing world-class technology platforms, Thai organizations can participate in digital transformation without compromising regulatory compliance or strategic autonomy.

The success of AIS Cloud could influence other Southeast Asian nations pursuing similar digital sovereignty strategies, particularly as regional governments increasingly prioritize local control over critical digital infrastructure. For Thai businesses, this platform represents an opportunity to modernize operations while maintaining alignment with national digital development priorities.