WHA Industrial Development Public Company Limited (WHAID), a member of WHA Group, has marked another development milestone at WHA Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 5 (WHA ESIE 5) in Ban Khai District, Rayong Province, following the groundbreaking of a new premium washing machine manufacturing facility by Haier Group—the world's No. 1 major home appliances brand for 17 consecutive years. Covering approximately 136 rai (around 54 acres) with an investment exceeding THB 5.25 billion, the facility will serve as a key manufacturing hub serving both the domestic market and global exports.
With a designed annual capacity of 3 million units, the facility represents one of the largest manufacturing investments in the electrical appliances sector this year. Haier plans to export 60-70% of total production to key international markets, including the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East. The project is set to generate over 1,000 local jobs while integrating Thai component manufacturers and suppliers directly into Haier's global supply chain.
Mr. Pajongwit Pongsivapai, Chief Executive Officer of WHA Industrial Development Public Company Limited (WHAID), stated: "Haier has been a valued strategic partner growing alongside WHAID throughout its more than 20 years of operations in Thailand. The group has progressively expanded across our industrial estates—from WHA ESIE 3 in Chonburi to WHA ESIE 5, which already hosts Haier's large-scale commercial air conditioning plant and key supply chain partners. The newly launched premium washing machine facility marks Haier's third production base within our portfolio. Continued reinvestment of this scale demonstrates that WHA ESIE 5 delivers on every operational requirement—from strategic logistics positioning to comprehensive utility readiness. We support advanced smart factories through every execution phase, encompassing large-scale site master planning, rapid utility hookups for water and power, and telecommunications infrastructure tailored to smart home manufacturing schedules."
Photo Caption: Mr. Pajongwit Pongsivapai (center-right), Chief Executive Officer of WHA Industrial Development Public Company Limited (WHAID), alongside executive leadership and company representatives, at the groundbreaking ceremony.
Haier's decision to base operations at WHA ESIE 5 capitalizes on strategic advantages within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Located adjacent to Highways 3191 and 3143, offering direct access to Laem Chabang Deep Sea Port just 56 kilometers away, the facility benefits from EEC promotional zone privileges and Board of Investment (BOI) incentives. These factors optimize logistics efficiency, supply chain agility, and customs operations for both domestic and international distribution. WHAID has completed the initial 3,400-rai Phase 1 development, with plans to develop an additional 3,500 rai in Phase 2.
Engineered to Smart Eco Industrial Estate standards, WHA ESIE 5 fully accommodates Industry 4.0 automation and AI-driven manufacturing. The estate features high-reliability power grids engineered to support 24/7 continuous operations, alongside a comprehensive underground FTTx fiber-optic network. Such plug-and-play connectivity enables immediate integration with operational and data-processing systems, shortening setup times and accelerating speed-to-market.
Furthermore, WHA ESIE 5 supports Haier's ESG and decarbonization targets through a Zero Discharge wastewater management system featuring water reclamation, paired with renewable energy solutions from WHA Solar, including estate-wide Solar Street lighting, Solar Rooftop, Floating Solar, and Solar Carpark installations. Designed as a comprehensive Industrial Town, WHA ESIE 5 harmoniously integrates industrial, commercial, and residential spaces. The estate also partners closely with local and regional educational institutions—including King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB Rayong Campus), Ban Khai Technical College, and other technical institutes across and beyond the EEC—to develop and supply specialized technical talent for high-tech manufacturing over the long term.