Newspaper section: BusinessThailand's Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA) is trying to persuade IBM and Microsoft to revive their investment plans in Thailand, saying the postponement was caused by the Songkran political clashes.

The agency is wooing global information technology companies to establish regional research centres in Thailand as part of its national ICT flagship projects, said SIPA president Rungruang Limchoopatipa.

IBM and Microsoft had earlier expressed keen interest in Phuket as a site for their regional research centres.

However, SIPA was told that the companies wanted to see more stable politics first. "They said they would wait to see the situation for another three to four months," Mr Rungruang said.

SIPA is working with other groups to promote software industrial estates in four major provinces. Others involved are the Board of Investment, Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand and Joint Foreign Chamber of Commerce of Thailand (JFCCT).

Private industrial land developers would invest in establishing the estates, while SIPA would provide technical support. The focus in Phuket would be on software innovation through the Phuket ICT Innovation Paradise.

Bangkok will focus on animation, media and digital work and Chiang Mai on outsourcing services. Khon Kaen would be an ICT training hub and development centre for products to serve demand in neighbouring countries, he said.

Mr Rungruang said Phuket was attracting the most interest as top researchers and program developers would like to live on the resort island.