Upgrading Thailand’s Digital Capacity to be ASEAN Digital Hub
On 26 March 2018, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), along with Thai Management Association, co-organized the seminar on “Enhancing Thailand’s digital competitiveness”. The seminar was presided over by Dr. Pichet Durongkaveroj, Minister of Digital Economy and Society of Thailand.
During the inaugural session, the Thai MDES Minister stated that factors contributing to the strength of Thailand’s digital competitiveness are the supportive laws, high technology, strong capitals and business flexibility. However, lack of high potential workers well-versed in sciences, and the limited ability to adjust or integrate digital sector into other business sectors, are still issued to deal with.
In this connection, Minister Durongkaveroj announced 5 main policies of MDES to be implemented within 2018 in order to increase Thailand’s digital competitiveness, namely (1) improving digital infrastructure (2) providing capacity building and training for workers in digital sectors (3) developing digital technology (4) improving digital security system and (5) gathering information in the form of Big Data for business use.
Moreover, to drive Thai digital economy onward and increase digital access, MDES is also working on upgrading infrastructure for telecommunication through 2 mains project:
1. Expanding high-speed internet network to cover all remote areas in Thailand by installing high-speed internet spots to cover 74,987 villages around the country by 2018. Training courses will also be provided for local people for internet using familiarization.
2. Upgrading internet network in Thailand to become ASEAN Digital Hub through 3 main activities which are (1) expanding Thailand’s domestic internet network to reach all borders, (2) expanding the existing submarine cable system to reach Hong Kong, Singapore and USA, and (3) creating new submarine cable system for the Pacific region, including the connection between Hong Kong, Cambodia and Vietnam (via Thailand).
Royal Thai Embasy in New Delhi
29 March 2018
