The adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT)
in Thailand has been growing faster in the consumer and business sectors.
According to the announcement
made by the Bangkok
Post, IoT is gaining momentum in Thailand because of the readiness
in network infrastructure.
The significance of IoT lies in its being
an emerging global technology that enables digital transformation, according to
Mr Panutat Tejasen. Mr Panutat is a pioneer in the maker community who observed
that the adoption of IoT will happen much faster than the time it took for
personal computers or mobile phones to be adopted.
According to him, Thailand is advanced in
terms of network availability, making the country one of the IoT leaders in the
ASEAN.
Moreover, the declining prices of
IoT-related components such as sensors, processors, and IoT gateways
contributes to the scaling up of the implementation of IoT. There is also a
community of software developers and hardware makers who are stimulating the
growth of IoT.
Precision farming is a strong real sector
base for the country and that is what Thailand should focus its IoT adoption
on. Tourism, especially smart cities, can also benefit as technology can be
applied to sustainable development that gives visitors a better experience.
In line with that, Mr Panutat furthered
that IoT can be maximised too for environmental monitoring and waste
management, bike sharing, city monitoring, indoor mapping navigation, smart bus
stops and a whole lot more.
AIS Chief Technology Officer Kriengsak
Wanichnatee said that all the parties in Thailand are enthusiastic about IoT
adoption for consumer technology. Application of IoT in consumer technology
would include smart homes and smart parking. Organisations involved in
infrastructure management, such as smart logistics, smart cities, smart farming
and smart environment are also excited.
AIS shared that it is ready to support IoT through
the development of technological networks like the NB-IoT and eMTC (enhanced
Machine-Type Communication). NB-IoT focuses on energy-saving for devices and
distant communications while the eMTC is suitable for supporting mobile IoT
such as connected cars and new voice-controlled IoT devices.
Total Access Communication Plc (DTAC) Head
of Strategic Transformation Thibaut Girard explained that the development of
the 5G network will fuel IoT adoption. DTAC is currently developing technology
and partnership models that will help build the IoT ecosystem and provide support
for those wanting to launch the IoT solutions in Thailand.
DTAC aims to be an accelerator of IoT
innovation in Thailand by fostering new innovative solutions through
partnerships with startups, SMEs and large firms.
A recent announcement that was released
highlighted how establishing the right ecosystem is essential in order for IoT
to take off in any ASEAN country. If Thailand were to maximise its benefits,
then it should focus its IoT solutions to the sector that contributes the
largest to its economy, which is manufacturing.
An announcement that was released
earlier highlighted a survey conducted by Asia IoT Business Platform wherein
Thailand led among the ASEAN countries with the most number of enterprises that
are exploring and/or implementing IoT to boost their productivity and
innovation.