Professor Wisit Wisitsorn-at, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES), presided over a meeting at the Office of the National Digital Economy and Society Commission in Bangkok to discuss strategies and initiatives aimed at promoting digital rights. In attendance were Mr Puchphong Nodthaisong, the Secretary-General of the National Digital Economy and Society Commission (SOD), as well as other relevant officers.
Thailand is actively advancing its digital economy to position itself as a prominent digital hub within Southeast Asia. To guide this transformation, the country introduced the Thailand Digital Economy and Society Development Plan (Digital Thailand Plan) in 2016, outlining a comprehensive 20-year strategy. This forward-thinking plan sets long-term policy objectives with clear and measurable targets, organised into distinct phases.
During the initial phase, the plan focused on establishing robust digital foundations, with a particular emphasis on enhancing digital infrastructure across the country. While digital inclusion took centre stage, aiming to ensure that all segments of society can participate and benefit from the digital economy in the subsequent phase.
As of 2023, Thailand is undertaking Phase 3 of the Digital Thailand Plan, which ambitiously aims to achieve full-scale digital transformation by the year 2027. This phase involves the comprehensive adoption of digital technologies across various sectors and industries.
Ultimately, Phase 4, the final phase of the plan, envisions Thailand as a global leader in the digital economy, leveraging its digital prowess to drive innovation, economic growth, and international competitiveness.
Mr Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES), along with Mr Puchphong Nodthaisong, Secretary-General of the Digital Economy and Society Committee of Thailand national rights established the digital community last April 2023. It is a community centre project that aims to leverage the power of digital technology in driving economic and societal progress. These centres serve as valuable hubs for public learning and engagement with digital technologies. Currently, there are digital community centres established in 77 provinces, spanning over 2,000 locations nationwide.
These centres play a significant role in providing individuals with the crucial skills to navigate in digital landscape effectively. By offering access to technology resources, programmes and educational initiatives, digital community centres encourage and empower the public to embrace digital innovation to participate in the digital economy.
Additionally, they enhance the accessibility and efficiency of health information exchange, leading to improved patient care and better coordination among healthcare institutions. In a collaborative effort, Mr Chaiwut Thanakmanusorn, the Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES) and the Government Big Data Institute (GBDi) are responsible for developing Health Link, a system that facilitates the connection of patient medical records among hospitals nationwide. It enables the seamless sharing of health information with the public system.
Thailand is currently focusing on key priority areas outlined in its digital plans to drive the development of the digital economy, including building country-wide high-capacity digital infrastructure, leveraging the economy with digital technology, creating an inclusive digital society, promoting e-government solutions to the public sector, encouraging workforce for the digital era, fostering the security in the digital realm.