Garmin Ltd. will build its first manufacturing facility in Southeast Asia with a new factory in Thailand to produce smartwatches and GPS navigation devices. The project, approved by the Thailand Board of Investment, involves an investment of about USD 92.5 million by Garmin Chonburi (Thailand) Ltd., a local subsidiary of the Swiss company. Production is expected to begin in 2026, with output designated for both domestic and international markets.
The approval comes amid a sharp rise in investment applications in Thailand, driven largely by foreign direct investment in data centers and smart electronics manufacturing. According to the Thailand Board of Investment, applications between January and September 2025 reached 1.37 trillion baht, or about USD 42.2 billion, marking the highest level on record for the period.
Garmin’s decision to establish a production base in Thailand aligns with its broader strategy to diversify manufacturing operations and strengthen supply chain resilience in Asia. The company reported steady third-quarter results this week and maintained its full-year revenue forecast, which was slightly below average analyst estimates.
In recent months, Garmin has introduced several new mid-range smartwatch models and updated one of its premium sports watch lines. The upcoming Thailand facility is expected to support production expansion and meet growing global demand for wearable and navigation devices. The project also reinforces Thailand’s growing role as a regional manufacturing hub for advanced electronics and smart technology industries.
(Source: Garmin)
