In a cutting-edge move to bolster Thailand’s standing in the realm of artificial intelligence, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) has partnered with Siam AI Corporation. Together, they are spearheading the development of a proprietary large language model (LLM) tailored to the Thai language and cultural context. With a hefty investment of 300 million baht fuelling this venture, Siam AI and NSTDA are gearing up to enhance Thailand’s AI capabilities as part of the country’s sovereign AI strategy.
The collaboration, which was officially cemented with a memorandum of understanding on June 6, was met with enthusiasm by Sukit Limpijumnong, the President of NSTDA. He underscored the importance of crafting a native Thai LLM, which he believes is pivotal for the nation’s digital infrastructure. “A Thai-specific LLM will drive innovation in digital services and bolster our national competitiveness,” he noted. This initiative aims not only to meet Thailand’s unique AI needs but also to foster a robust ecosystem of research and development in the field.
Leading this technological charge, Ratanaphon Wongnapachant, the CEO of Siam AI, expressed excitement over the project, emphasizing its significance for both the public and private sectors. By developing Thai LLMs domestically, the risk of losing valuable data to foreign entities is minimized, a step crucial for maintaining the nation’s cognitive development foundation. Advanced next-generation AI applications stand to benefit immensely from such homegrown models, integrating various data formats like text, vision, audio, and sensors for real-time decision-making endeavors such as autonomous vehicles.
Siam AI’s technological backbone is nothing short of impressive, with Ratanaphon proudly mentioning their advanced high-performance computing capabilities supported by Nvidia Blackwell architecture and a sophisticated liquid-cooled rack cluster—both designed to accommodate complex LLMs. Thailand joins an elite circle in Asia, along with China, Japan, and South Korea, in pioneering its own LLMs. The Thai LLM, boasting a formidable 7 billion parameters, is set to roll out within a mere three months, powered by Siam AI’s dedicated investment.
Chai Wutiwiwatchai, Executive Director of the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (NECTEC), weighed in on the project’s broader implications. NECTEC, alongside developing Pathumma LLM—a versatile AI model skilled in multimodal data processing—provides essential expertise to support Siam AI’s ambitious text-based LLM initiatives. The venture holds promise for transforming bureaucratic processes within state and public sectors through enhanced understanding of official language and contextual intricacies.
On the infrastructure front, NECTEC plans to deploy its government AI ventures using Siam AI’s scalable and flexible infrastructure, enhancing pilot project efficacy. High-criticality future advancements rely heavily on cultivating a skilled workforce well-versed in high-performance computing, which remains a core focus of this collaboration. According to the Oxford Insights in Government AI Readiness Index 2024, Thailand is on a promising trajectory, ranked 35 out of 188 countries, particularly gaining ground in medical AI applications—a domain ripe for expansion into international markets.
Furthermore, Siam AI has expanded its horizons with a collaborative agreement with South Korean tech giant Naver Cloud. By harnessing Naver’s prowess in LLM development and augmenting it with Thai linguistic data, the partnership aims to craft a uniquely Thai LLM. This project is especially targeted at the tourism sector, poised to produce AI-driven solutions that cater to Thailand’s bustling tourism industry by year’s end.
Thailand is at the cusp of a technological renaissance, with AI innovation charting a course through its digital infrastructure and economic landscape. As these projects unfold, they promise not only technological advancement but also a captivating journey into the future of AI in the Land of Smiles.
This is a huge step for Thailand! Finally, we’re seeing investment in AI that’s tailored to our unique needs. Can’t wait to see what our local developers create.
Indeed, it’s refreshing. Localized AI means less reliance on Western tech giants. However, collaboration with Naver seems like another form of dependency?
It’s a balancing act. Naver’s experience can be invaluable, but we need to ensure we maintain control over our data and processes.
But what about the environmental impact of all this computing? AI development isn’t exactly green.
Will these models understand Thai dialects? We have so many regional differences.
300 million baht investment! Why not spend it on healthcare or education instead? AI won’t solve our basic problems.
Investing in AI is like investing in education. It’s about future-proofing our economy. But yes, I hope for balanced resource allocation.
I see your point, but when people are struggling with basic needs, this seems like a luxury.
Exciting news for tech enthusiasts and business! Thai LLMs could provide much needed boost to our tech startups.
As a 6th grader, I think it’s cool! But how does it even work? Sounds like robot helpers in movies!
It’s like teaching a computer to understand and talk like us! They learn from lots of examples, just like you learn from school.
Using AI for medical applications is intriguing. Could revolutionize diagnostics and patient care, but must be cautious about ethics.
True. Privacy and bias are big concerns in AI. Plus, how do we ensure the AI is actually reliable?
What about jobs? Isn’t AI supposed to replace them?
AI will change jobs, not replace them. New skills and roles will emerge, but we need to prepare and adapt.
Hope you’re right. It’d be tough adjusting at this age if it doesn’t.
The collaboration with South Korea seems smart. Two heads are better than one for tackling complex tasks.
I wonder what ‘7 billion parameters’ even means. Sounds fancy, but is it really enough for true AI innovation?
I hope this doesn’t mean even more digital surveillance. AI should enhance freedom, not stifle it.
Good point. Regulation is key. Without oversight, AI could be more harm than help, potentially infringing on privacy.
Agreed. AI needs to support, not spy. Transparency in AI projects is crucial.
How soon will we see tangible benefits from this? Government projects sometimes take ages to materialize.
Seems like another big promise. Let’s hope it doesn’t fizzle out like some other tech initiatives we’ve seen.
Imagine the tourism enhancements possible with this tech! Customized tours and language support could see a big boost!
Agreed, but let’s ensure it doesn’t only cater to foreigners, our cultural heritage should be prioritized.
Any chance we’ll get an open-source version of this LLM? That’s the future we should aim for.
It would be a game-changer! Open-source could lead to community-driven improvements and wider accessibility.
NSTDA and Siam AI working together is a potentially groundbreaking partnership. Let’s see if their output matches the hype.