Exploring the digital divide and mapping out the terrain of a digital era, this timely and relevant study zones in on the importance of digital inclusion. It keeps its focus on elevating the lifestyle of all citizens while providing valuable input for future policy directives, capturing the essence of Thailand’s journey into the digital universe.
As relayed by Wisit Wisitsora, the ministry’s permanent secretary, marked indicators are noteworthy. This includes impressive internet access for Thai households, standing at an evolved 89.50% this year, representing an uptick from last year’s 88%. Furthermore, 87.60% of the population is connected to the vast online universe, up from 85% in 2022. These achievements, unfortunately, are not devoid of pitfalls, with personal data and privacy breaches affecting 14.52% of the users.
Another revelatory statistic is the resurgence observed in internet usage among individuals in the age bracket of 55-74 years. Recording a significant leap from 63.10% in 2022 to a promising 71.60% this year. Substantially, the country’s business realm is also undergoing a digital transformation with 31.53% of entrepreneurs diving into cross-border e-commerce this year, marking a significant rise from 26.29% back in 2022.
On the employment front, a remarkable 35.96% of Thailand’s total business workforce is thriving in the digital sector this year, incrementally soaring from last year’s 34.40%. Interestingly, the investment value of the digital industry found its place at 0.93% in the country’s GDP in 2022. Add to that a 40% surge in the digital business sector’s value was calculated in 2022, securing its hold over 40% of the total industrial sector.
Conducted in 2023, the survey unlocks some game-changing findings. For instance, the downward shift in Internet accessibility was downsized to 6.5%. Likewise, the digital penchant of public sectors seems to be on an upward growth trajectory with its online service recipients reaching 66.17% this year. The digital bottom line is being upheld by important factors encompassing digital accessibility and the birth of Digital Government, with a whopping 75.92% of government bodies marching into the online services arena.
Unsurprisingly, Thai citizens are showcasing an increasing digital appetite, averaging 7 hours and 25 minutes on the internet every day. Predominantly used digital activities range from social media engagement and communication to the consumption of video content. The most sought-after online commodities and services include fashion, consumer goods, delivery services, and entertainment. While the digital industry is witnessing a boom, effective utilization is still cornered within medium to large businesses.
As the digital workforce continues to shape our business landscapes, some firms have onboarded digital nomads to fill the gap in labor supply. They’re also well-prepared to embrace a future where digital competence will be the order of the day. While a majority of Thais are kitted out with the digital skills necessary for work, the security-related skills and future adaptability proficiency seem to be conspicuously missing. Moreover, the emergence of digital threats such as cold calls and SMS scams have exacerbated the situation, impacting public trust.
Putchapong Nodthaisong, Secretary-General of the Office of the National Digital Economy and Society Commission (ONDE), emphasized that the NDES has meticulously charted out internet usage data nationwide, positioning it against the international standard set by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Future research programs promise to zero in on context-specific indicators that capture the uniqueness of Thailand’s digital sphere, while benchmarking its potential, juxtaposing it with global players, and bringing to light inherent challenges and limitations. This data-backed digital roadmap will offer a repository of essential digital indicators available to all sectors, enabling informed future planning.
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