Author: Juthathip Jongwanich, Thammasat University

 

Over the past decade, Thailand has made extraordinary progress in its transformation towards the digital economy. A number of indicators of digital infrastructure and accessibility have shown some improvement for large segments of the population. Thailand’s e-commerce market is one of the fastest growing in Southeast Asia where gross online merchandise value grew by 68 per cent in 2021 and is expected to expand by 14 per cent between 2021 and 2025.

 

Like other countries, Thailand has put emphasis on the digital economy, including through its industrial transformation policy (Thailand 4.0) and by building a digital park in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). The government also announced new investment incentives in 2017 to attract investors into tech-oriented activities and introduced a national digital blueprint — the 20 year-National Master Plan for Digital Development (2018–2037). Several laws were introduced in the past few years to facilitate, protect and create a secure digital ecosystem for both consumers and digital providers.

 

While Thailand has made significant progress in digital development, low and highly concentrated private investment, lack of advanced information and communications technology (ICT) skills, slow progress in digital infrastructure and budget constraints impede its progress. Private investment in Thailand’s digital economy was only 4 per cent of GDP in 2019. Digital technology has been more widely applied in the services sector, including in online wholesale and retail trade, mobile phone and internet services, and financial services. Its utilisation in manufacturing and agriculture has been relatively limited.

 

Full story: https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2022/03/17/is-thailand-ready-for-the-digital-economy/

 

-- © Copyright EAST ASIA FORUM 2022-03-19

 

- Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

I don't think they even have a words in Thai for the "Digital economy" let alone be ready for one...

They need to pass stage one first.

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Over the past decade, Thailand has made extraordinary progress in its transformation towards the digital economy.

I hadn't noticed....

Would suggest they concentrate on getting people to stop living in corrugated tin sheds before leaping ahead into the digital world.

 

 

2 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Would suggest they concentrate on getting people to stop living in corrugated tin sheds before leaping ahead into the digital world.

 

 

Perhaps that could be helped by ensuring that the liquid assets derived by corrupt and dishonest means are returned to Thailand for the good of all the people rather than the good of one or two people.

They're up to digital economy 0.4 already.

Note 1: Just because the average consumer is lazy and takes advantage of ordering products online does not make Thailand a "digital economy".

 

Note 2: A large proportion of commercial companies still actively using fax machines is not exactly the marker of a "digital economy".

 

Note 3: The myriad of unusable and constantly broken apps "developed" by government authorities may warrant a rethinking of the "digital economy" concept.

 

Note 4: Practically everyone spending 5 - 6 hours a day engaging in and interacting with social media trifle is not indicative of a functioning "digital economy".

 

Note 5: The continued requirement of authorities to have citizens file documents for practically any application and purpose as PAPER copies and often enough in duplicate or even triplicate is not the sign of a "digital economy".

 

Shall I go on?   

W T F is digital economy ? 

 

Just read the whole article, and actually more confused, than reading just the title.  Economy, I think money, so does that mean, or I thought it did, no paper money, and digital transactions.

 

But then it rambles on, digital digital digital everything.  So quick answer ... NO, and hope it stays that way.  Love the tech advance, and long may it progress.  Just saw a news-blip about Gmap & earth crashing, along with the image of 1000's of motorist and delivery people all of the sudden, not knowing where they are, going or how to get there & back ???? ... where's that paper map at, oh  c r a p.

 

What govt, or commercial site hasn't been hacked.  They can't keep the simplest things safe.  And paying 'digitally', no, I like paper money.  CC and scanning apps non universal take too long for everything to transpire.  I saw people last night at the night market, paying for something scanning phones ... F F S ... just give them 20 baht for the damn cake, and move on.

7 hours ago, webfact said:

lack of advanced information and communications technology (ICT)

The Gov masterplan; keep the serfs dumb; starting at school.

555

What is the digital economy?

"The digital economy refers to all business activities that offer value to customers and society through digital inputs ranging from digital technologies and infrastructure to digital goods, services, and data. It features businesses that produce key products or services in digital and information technology sectors, and companies that develop market offers to meet demands for digital goods and services in other sectors." 

 

Don't notice any additional value in services offered, only increased demand for information to provide everywhere applying for things and increased monitoring by govt.

 

11 minutes ago, userabcd said:

Don't notice any additional value in services offered, only increased demand for information to provide everywhere applying for things and increased monitoring by govt.

Another reason I don't want 'digital' money, as if I p i s s someone special interest group/organization/govt off, they have the power deny access to my 'digital' money, as RU just found out.

 

Agree, it's all just more tracking & control of every aspect of our lives.  Couple decades from now, someone goes to buy a soft drink, and that purchase is flagged & denied, because your med records show high blood sugar.  Or you had your allotment of bacon this week.

 

Real life is starting to resemble movies, scary stuff.

4 hours ago, KhunLA said:

I saw people last night at the night market, paying for something scanning phones ... F F S ... just give them 20 baht for the damn cake, and move on.

I think it's time to demand that all stores have a "Cash Only" aisle, like we used to have when credit cards were first introduced and people took 5 minutes to pay for a loaf of bread. Now we have kids with their cell phones trying to scan QR codes - or something - and take almost as long.