Share of global printed circuit board market set to surge

Thailand's printed circuit board (PCB) industry is expected to gain a global market share of 20-25% by 2027, driven by electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing and artificial intelligence (AI) development, though its rapid growth could be stunted by a shortage of skilled workers, according to the Thailand Printed Circuit Association.

- YUTHANA PRAIWAN

The current Thai share of the global market is estimated at 3-5%, said Swaek Prakitritanon, vice-president and secretary of the association.

Though a surge to a 20-25% market share, estimated to be worth US$18-25 billion, would mean better business prospects for Thailand, the country is expected to face a shortage of more than 80,000 skilled workers in the PCB sector over the next two years.

"This specialist labour crisis is expected to intensify in the coming years," said Mr Swaek, who is also chairman of the Thailand Electronics Circuit Centre.