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Over the last forty years, Thailand has undergone significant development, transitioning from a low-income to an upper-middle-income nation. Beyond a doubt, the advancement of Thailand’s workforce has been a crucial component of this economic progress and transformation.
Despite its advancements, the Thai labour force has largely been involved in low-skilled jobs, with many workers having qualifications in business and administration. To address this, there have been calls for a more adaptable education system and accessible lifelong learning mechanisms that meet the demands of the job market. Additionally, the government is committed to transitioning Thailand into a more skills- and technology-driven economy through initiatives like Thailand 4.0.
In this context, a meeting chaired by Mr Phumtham Wechayachai, the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, and attended by officials such as Mr Prasert Chandraruangthong, the Minister of Digital Economy and Society, made significant strides in advancing Thailand’s digital economy and society. The meeting, characterised by strategic discussions, highlighted the government’s dedication to embracing digital transformation and utilising technological innovations to improve the country’s economic competitiveness and societal well-being.
This meeting, which focused on the agenda of the National Economy and Society Committee, centred on key initiatives to promote and implement the Thailand i4.0 Index, define the digital industry, enhance data protection, and drive the E-Workforce Ecosystem Platform (EWE).
One of the major outcomes of the meeting was the agreement on principles and guidelines for promoting and applying the Thailand i4.0 Index. This index, developed by the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) in collaboration with the Federation of Thai Industries and the Ministry of Industry, is a central tool for driving the upgrading of Thai industry to Industry 4.0 standards. It will be used by government agencies, research institutes, educational institutions, and the private sector to enhance the competitiveness of Thai industries and develop the skills of personnel in the industrial sector.
Furthermore, the meeting approved the master plan for the promotion and protection of personal data in Thailand for the years 2024-2027. This plan, aligned with the four strategic points of the action plan, aims to increase the efficiency of law enforcement, develop the workforce and build confidence, promote the digital economy and society, and support the research ecosystem.
In addition to these initiatives, the meeting also focused on defining the digital industry in Thailand. According to the agreed-upon definition, Thailand’s digital sector has the intensive application of digital technology. It is considered a necessary basis for the development of other manufacturing and service sectors.
The digital industry includes main industries such as hardware, software, intelligent equipment, digital content, digital service, and telecommunications, as well as other industries that use digital technology as a component in their products, trade, or services.
Another key decision made during the meeting was regarding the E-Workforce Ecosystem Platform (EWE). The committee agreed to support the digital technology infrastructure for this platform, which aims to link curriculum and workforce information to provide training for personnel both online and offline. This platform will allow personnel from all government agencies to register and use its services, thereby enhancing the skills and capabilities of the workforce in the digital sector.
Moreover, the meeting approved the revision of regulations concerning the administration of the Digital Development Fund for Economy and Society 2018 to comply with relevant laws and regulations. This revision aims to make fund operations more flexible and efficient in supporting the digital economy and society.
The meeting of the National Economy and Society Committee marked significant progress in advancing Thailand’s digital economy and society. The agreed-upon initiatives, including the promotion of the Thailand i4.0 Index, defining the digital industry, enhancing data protection, and driving the E-Workforce Ecosystem Platform, are poised to propel Thailand towards becoming a leader in the digital age.
