Thailand is expanding its fiber optic network through new manufacturing facilities and infrastructure projects, while also addressing illegal cross-border cable operations.

New Fiber Optic Manufacturing Facilities

Thailand has recently seen significant investment in fiber optic production. On June 4, 2026, Thailand Ruisen Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of FiberHome Communications, held a groundbreaking ceremony for its optical fiber and cable manufacturing base near Bangkok. The facility covers approximately 72,000 square meters and will focus initially on outdoor and soft optical cable production. Once operational in 2025, it is expected to produce millions of core kilometers of optical cables annually, supporting both domestic demand and export to ASEAN, South Asia, Europe, and Africa. The project is also expected to create hundreds of jobs in R&D, manufacturing, sales, administration, and supply chain roles, promoting localization of the fiber optic industry in Thailand . Additionally, SEIKOH GIKEN, a Japanese precision technology company, inaugurated a new fiber optic cable plant at WHA Saraburi Industrial Land. This facility focuses on assembling fiber optic components critical for 5G networks, data centers, and smart networks, strengthening Thailand's digital infrastructure and reducing import dependency while fostering a local high-tech ecosystem .

Cross-Border Fiber Optic Cable Issues

Thailand has also been addressing illegal cross-border fiber optic operations. In December 2024, authorities discovered 16 illegal fiber optic lines spanning nearly 3 kilometers from Mae Sot, Thailand, to Myawaddy, Myanmar. These cables were used by criminal groups, including call center gangs, to maintain high-speed internet for illicit activities. The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and Thai police cut the cables and are investigating the companies involved, with penalties including imprisonment and fines . Similar operations were disrupted in January 2026 along the Thailand–Myanmar border, where fiber optic cables were seized and signals cut to prevent illegal cross-border internet use .

Implications

These developments highlight Thailand's dual approach: investing in legal fiber optic infrastructure to support high-speed internet and digital growth, while enforcing regulations to prevent illegal cross-border networks. The expansion of local manufacturing and assembly facilities positions Thailand as a growing hub for fiber optic technology in Southeast Asia, supporting both domestic connectivity and regional digital integration .