Thailand Courts Canva for Regional AI Design Hub

Prime Minister leads Thai delegation to Australia to attract Canva, establish regional AI design center and develop Thai designers for global markets to boost creative economy. Board of Investment Secretary General Narirat Thetsathirasak disclosed that on August 18, 2025, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Thai public and private sector representatives traveled to Sydney, Australia to expand cooperation in economics, trade, and investment. They met with executives from Canva, a leading Australian technology company, to discuss expanding the company's business in Thailand.

Canva currently has over 265 million monthly users across more than 190 countries, while Thailand has around 7 million monthly users and over 30 million cumulative accounts, demonstrating Thailand's potential both as a market and as a base for design and creative talent. The Prime Minister invited Canva to consider establishing a regional office and AI-Design Research Center in Thailand to enhance the creative economy, develop design and AI skills, and help Thai SMEs develop competitive products for the global market.

Canva plans to increase Thai designers, or Canva Creators, from 190 to 1,000 within 2026, and will collaborate with the Department of Business Development and the Digital Economy Promotion Agency to train 40,000 Thai SMEs in product visual identity and packaging design. In education, Canva is partnering with the Education Ministry and the Office of the Education Council to provide free access to Canva Education to over 3.3 million teachers and students, with a target of expanding to 6.6 million by 2026.

Thailand and Australia advance technology and innovation cooperation.

The Prime Minister chaired the Thailand-Australia Investment & Business Partnership Reception at Crown Towers Sydney, organized by the Board of Investment, attended by around 70 executives from Australian companies in advanced manufacturing, agriculture and food, digital technology, medical, mining, renewable energy, and service industries. Thai private sector participants on the delegation included CPF, Thai Beverage, Central Group, PTT, PTT Exploration and Production, B.Grimm Power, Gulf, Supalai, Frasers Property, SCG International, Thai Union, and Baan Poo to match businesses and expand cooperation with Australian companies.

The Prime Minister noted that 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of Thai-Australian diplomatic relations, and both countries have complementary strengths. Thailand has a strong food production and processing base, while Australia has capabilities in AgriTech, renewable energy, energy storage systems, digital technology, creative industries, and advanced manufacturing.

Australian investment in Thailand has room to grow further.

Narirat stated that Australian investment in Thailand still has expansion potential, particularly in technology-driven, innovation-based businesses linked to Thailand's industrial base. Between 2021 and June 2025, 93 Australian investment and joint venture projects totaling 33.425 billion baht applied for investment promotion, with digital leading at 13.833 billion baht, followed by chemicals at 6.936 billion baht, and agriculture and food processing at 3.810 billion baht. Currently, several Australian companies invest in Thailand across various sectors, including ANCA in machinery and automation systems, ARB in automotive parts, Ridley Corporation in animal feed research and production, and Ansell in medical glove manufacturing.

"Australia has potential in technology and innovation, while Thailand has a strong industrial base and serves as a gateway to ASEAN. This visit is an opportunity to connect the strengths of both countries to launch new technology-driven businesses that create higher added value," Narirat said.