Thailand is emerging as a potential hub in an alleged smuggling operation involving Nvidia chips, as authorities investigate the role of OBON Corp., a Bangkok-based company, in routing $2.5 billion worth of AI servers to Chinese tech giant Alibaba. U.S. prosecutors have charged Super Micro co-founder Yih-Shyan Liaw and two associates with conspiring to divert these servers in violation of export controls, highlighting concerns over national security amid ongoing U.S. restrictions on advanced Nvidia chip exports to China. OBON’s involvement poses risks to Thailand’s AI ambitions, especially given its connection to the country’s sovereign AI initiative and the recently launched Siam AI, which aims to bolster national AI infrastructure.
Nvidia: Nvidia is a leading designer of advanced AI semiconductors and GPUs used in data centers and supercomputing. In this case, its restricted AI chips were allegedly included in Super Micro servers smuggled to China via Thailand in violation of US export controls. The scheme highlights ongoing efforts by Chinese firms to acquire such technology despite Washington restrictions.
Alibaba: Alibaba operates as a major Chinese e-commerce and cloud computing giant with significant AI development needs. Bloomberg sources identified it as an end customer receiving Super Micro servers with Nvidia chips routed through Bangkok-based OBON Corp. The company has not been charged but remains under investigation by US prosecutors.
OBON Corp.: OBON Corp. is a Bangkok-based AI infrastructure firm positioned as a regional cloud and supercomputing provider. It has been publicly linked to Thailand’s National AI Strategy and was identified as the unnamed ‘Company-1’ in the US indictment for allegedly serving as an intermediary in the chip smuggling scheme. OBON has not been charged and its role is under ongoing scrutiny.
Super Micro Computer: Super Micro Computer builds high-performance servers equipped with advanced processors for AI workloads. Its co-founder Yih-Shyan Liaw and associates were charged in March 2026 with conspiring to divert servers containing Nvidia chips through Southeast Asia to China. Prosecutors allege the scheme involved falsified paperwork and repackaging to evade inspections.
Ratanaphon Wongnapachant: Ratanaphon Wongnapachant is the CEO of Siam AI, Thailand’s sovereign cloud initiative. He stated that Siam AI was not involved in the smuggling allegations and noted he had left OBON prior to launching Siam AI. His comments distance the national AI project from the Bangkok firm’s suspected activities.
US Charges: In mid-March 2026, federal prosecutors charged Super Micro co-founder Yih-Shyan Liaw and two associates with conspiring to violate export controls by diverting servers to China.
Thailand AI Link: OBON’s ties to Thailand’s national AI strategy and Siam AI raise risks to the country’s AI ambitions amid the smuggling probe.
Export Restrictions: Washington restricts advanced Nvidia AI chip exports to China due to national security concerns, prompting smuggling channels via Southeast Asia.