The Digital Economy in Thailand: Potential and Policies

This paper aims to examine potential of digital economy in Thailand and review key policies in four prospects, including industrial transformation, investment policy, digital plans, and digital rules and regulations and international cooperation. The research shows that the digital economy in Thailand grew substantially and faster than GDP growth in 2017-2020. Investment has gained momentum in driving the digital economy in Thailand since 2021. Digital infrastructure has been improved in the country over the past decade, but comparing to other countries in Asia, like China, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam in some respects, infrastructure development and accessibility of population in the country are still lacked behind, particularly in terms of ICT skills and prices. Various rules and regulations were amended and introduced to support digital development in the country. Such establishments together with some programs have implications in improving Political-Security and Socio-Cultural, in addition to Economic pillars. Various international cooperation concerning digital provisions has been initiated but based on the Regional Digital Trade Integration Index (RDTII), Thailand’s digital trade integration lacks behind other Asian countries, mainly due to restricted rules and regulations especially those connecting to telecommunication policy and competition, internet intermediary liability and content access.