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Three key industry groups are calling on Chaichanok Chidchob, the newly appointed minister for the digital economy and society (DES), to focus on the national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy and the advancement of self-reliant technology.

They suggested that he should also improve the collection of digital service taxes to narrow the digital gap, fight online fraud, and boost Thailand’s ability to export online.

“Thailand has a narrow window of less than five years to effectively adopt and incorporate AI. The country’s economic future—whether it thrives or regresses—relies on the decisions made today by its citizens and leaders,” Djitt Laowatana, executive director and chairman of the Robotics and AI Committee at the Thai Chamber of Commerce, stated to the Bangkok Post.

The ministry should take the initiative in moving towards an AI-driven administration, he further stated.

The core operational agency within the DES ministry should be National Telecom (NT), as he pointed out, owing to its well-established infrastructure.

The former administration created a National AI Committee, led by the prime minister. Although the committee met only twice and did not have a clear set of high-priority goals, its formation marked an important move in redefining Thailand’s economic future, according to Mr Djitt.

He stated that Thailand should set aside funds to educate homegrown expertise in order to create its own platforms, rather than depending exclusively on international AI services.

He proposed that public AI initiatives should only be available for bids by Thai businesses, while the private sector should receive incentives from the Board of Investment for investments in automation.

Due to financial limitations, implementing a rigorous public-private partnership (PPP) framework is crucial.

He mentioned that 55% of the overall ministry budget should be allocated towards infrastructure, bids from Thai companies, and training for human resources.

The remaining portion of the budget should be allocated to application development, driven by the private sector with government supervision over the technology.

Exports Within Asean

Pawoot Pongvitayapanu, honorary president of the Thai e-Commerce Association, stated that the ministry needs to implement five key strategic pillars to advance Thailand’s digital transformation framework.

The initial approach is a public-private partnership, where major industry groups are involved in establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) and collaborating to improve e-logistics and intelligent supply chains.

The objective is to combine fulfillment, customs, and payment systems to facilitate cross-border e-commerce, allowing Thai products to be sold via international platforms into ASEAN markets, instead of Thailand being flooded with foreign imports.

In the meantime, he advocates for the application of digital tools like e-learning, telehealth, and agricultural blockchain technology to generate social benefits.

The second component focuses on making sure international platforms adhere to equitable regulations.

Examples of equitable regulations include a digital tax, alongside fair market practices. The ministry needs to introduce a structured system for collecting a digital service tax on online platforms like Google, Facebook, TikTok, and Netflix in order to boost national income.

The Tax Authority should also enhance its collection of value-added tax on digital services.

The government should mandate that all international sellers on websites such as Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop register and pay taxes in Thailand to ensure that income earned within the country is tracked domestically, following a model comparable to Indonesia’s approach.

The minister needs to convert small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into digital companies and create more Thai tech unicorns.

E-Commerce Roadmap 2.0

The third component involves establishing an e-commerce export center aimed at assisting small and medium enterprises in expanding their products worldwide, with a goal of 1 million Thai SMEs selling goods internationally.

The minister ought to implement Big Data and an electronic know your customer method for credit assessment to assist small and medium enterprises in obtaining low-interest loans without requiring collateral.

Furthermore, it must assist Thai technology firms by mandating that government and state-owned enterprises give preference to local tech suppliers when purchasing goods or services.

The fourth component emphasizes enhancing a nation’s abilities through the use of artificial intelligence.

It needs to establish AI sandboxes for startups to experiment with real-world AI initiatives, offering research and development financial support and outlining practical applications with defined key performance indicators.

The government needs to create an affordable, nationwide digital educational program that includes subjects like programming, data analysis, AI, and network security, and collaborate with the Department of Labor to increase its availability across the country.

The fifth pillar focuses on Digital Infrastructure and Trust by establishing a safe and accessible digital framework for everyone, and creating a Thai-owned National Data Centre and Cloud to minimize dependence on overseas providers.

It must combine all government services with an established unified Digital ID (ThaID) system, transforming mobile phones into national identification cards. Pathom Indarodom, head of Thailand’s Digital Council, stated that the country’s new minister introduces new vigor, possessing genuine technological expertise, particularly in e-sports, marking a positive change from previous leadership.

However, the true difficulty is enhancing Thailand’s position in the IMD Digital Competitiveness Index, which goes beyond public gatherings or political actions, he mentioned.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).