BoI Approves B2.3bn Heat-Assisted Storage Project for WD Unit
•February 16, 2026
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Why It Matters
By pushing HDD capacities beyond 100 TB, the project secures Thailand’s leadership in high‑density storage essential for AI, cloud and data‑center expansion, while stimulating domestic high‑tech manufacturing and skilled‑labour development.
Key Takeaways
- •BoI approves 2.3bn baht HAMR R&D for Western Digital.
- •Goal: HDDs exceeding 100TB capacity by 2029.
- •Project targets 60% local content, boosting Thai supply chain.
- •Expected long‑term investment could reach 10bn baht.
- •Supports AI, cloud, and data‑center growth regionally.
Pulse Analysis
Heat‑assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) represents a pivotal breakthrough in magnetic storage, using precise laser heating to temporarily lower media anisotropy and enable significantly smaller bit sizes. This technology directly addresses the long‑standing magnetic recording trilemma of density, stability and cost. Thailand, already responsible for roughly 80 % of global HDD manufacturing, is uniquely positioned to capitalize on HAMR’s potential, especially as Western Digital partners with U.S. and Japanese research teams to accelerate development.
The drive toward 100 TB and larger hard‑disk capacities aligns with exploding data‑center, cloud and artificial‑intelligence workloads that demand massive, cost‑effective storage. While solid‑state drives dominate performance‑critical tiers, HDDs remain the most economical solution for bulk archival and cold‑storage layers. HAMR‑enabled drives promise to extend HDD relevance by delivering unprecedented density without prohibitive price increases, ensuring that enterprises can scale storage infrastructure in line with AI model training and large‑scale analytics.
Beyond technical gains, the BoI’s approval signals a strategic push to deepen Thailand’s high‑tech manufacturing ecosystem. Requiring over 60 % local content, the project will spur domestic component suppliers, foster skilled‑labour pipelines, and attract ancillary investment that could swell to 10 billion baht. This infusion of capital and expertise not only reinforces Thailand’s export‑oriented HDD hub but also positions the nation as a critical node in the global supply chain for next‑generation data storage solutions.
BoI approves B2.3bn heat-assisted storage project for WD unit
Board of Investment approves 2.3‑billion‑baht HAMR project for Western Digital in Thailand
The Board of Investment (BoI) has approved a 2.3‑billion‑baht research and development project on heat‑assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) technology for Western Digital's Thai unit, Western Digital Storage Technology (Thailand) Co (WD), with the aim of achieving hard disk drive capacities exceeding 100 terabytes (TB) by 2029.
This project aims to support fast‑growing advanced technology, including data centres, cloud and artificial intelligence (AI), and other emerging industries in the country, said BoI secretary‑general Narit Therdsteerasukdi.
"The HAMR research and development will facilitate the creation of next‑generation hard disk [HD] media for data recording, leveraging HAMR technology in collaboration between Thailand, the US and Japan," he said.
HAMR technology solves the magnetic recording trilemma by using laser heating to temporarily reduce media anisotropy, enabling smaller bit sizes and higher storage densities during data writing.
This project will push forward HAMR investment expansion in Thailand in the long term, with anticipated investment value reaching up to 10 billion baht.
Enhancing HDD storage capacity is increasingly important for HDD manufacturers, particularly for use in data centres.
The BoI said HDD technology is essential for fundamental data storage within computers and various electronic systems in the digital era. Globally, HDDs continue to support advancements in AI, data centres and cloud technologies.
The BoI added that the HAMR research and development project will support local workforce skills by fostering skilled labour in the smart electronics industry, encouraging collaboration among local suppliers, educators and researchers to develop the technology and enhance the industry's competitiveness.
"This project aims to use over 60 % local content, in line with government policy promoting manufacturers using local content, supporting Thailand to be a hub of HDD production and export‑oriented manufacturing," he said.
In 2024, the BoI granted WD's HDD expansion project an investment budget of 23 billion baht, located at Bang Pa‑In Industrial Estate in Ayutthaya and the 304 Industrial Park in Prachin Buri.
According to the BoI, Thailand currently accounts for 80 % of the global HDD manufacturing market.
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