The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) by the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) held a press conference on the launch of eight major digital-driven projects initiated under the “DIGITAL INFINITY” concept to empower digital manpower and drive development of the digital industry. They are expected to help enhance adoption of digital technologies and innovations, and readiness in digital infrastructure and ecosystem in preparation for the country’s thriving digital economy and society. depa sets a goal to generate economic impact no less than 320 billion baht with digital skills of more than 6.2 million Thais who are expected to be leveled up after participating in the eight digital-inspired projects. The ministry and depa also announced preparation for “HACKaTHAILAND 2023: DIGITAL INFINITY” scheduled for late 2023.

Mr. Newin Chochaiyathip, Vice Minister of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), presided over the press conference on the launch of eight digital development projects under the theme “DIGITAL INFINITY” initiated by the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) to expedite the development of the country’s digital economy and society.

Mr. Newin said the government by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has continued to enhance the digital readiness of Thailand in moving forward to the digital economy and society. The government and the ministry have given priority to developing human resources and digital manpower by launching a number of digital reskilling and upskilling projects for people of all walks of life in order to become a ‘digital citizen’. They will be able to adapt those digital skills and embrace digital technologies and innovations for the advantage of next-generation professions and future careers. The ministry has also continued to provide digital literacy and improve digital skills for employees in the public and private sectors, aimed at developing Thai digital experts, reducing reliance on foreigners, as well as accelerating development of technologies and innovations made by Thais. The ministry is also committed to pushing development of digital-related sunrise sectors such as content creator and e-sports as well as encouraging entrepreneurs in the agro-industry, SMEs, small businesses, community enterprises, and communities to leverage digital technologies and solutions provided by Thai digital startups to optimize their business performance efficiency. The government and the ministry have also prepared digital infrastructure and ecosystem to accommodate economic activities. All in all, those development initiatives are key digital fundamentals to move Thailand forward to ‘Digital Thailand’.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, President/CEO of depa said the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society by the depa enters its sixth anniversary of working to promote digital readiness for Thais under the concept “DIGITAL INFINITY”. depa has always given priority to digital development projects that are in alignment with the second-phase digital economy promotion masterplan

(B.E.2566–2570). depa also prioritizes development of the new wave industry and soft power. The digital development projects under the “DIGITAL INFINITY” concept largely focus on developing digital manpower, driving overall development of the digital industry, promoting adoption of digital technologies and innovations, as well as preparing digital infrastructure and ecosystem to support the country’s development roadmap toward digital economy and society. depa’s eight digital development projects are as follows;

1.HACKaTHAILAND 2023: DIGITAL INFINITY

This is a digital technology and innovation contest to raise public awareness and level up digital skills for Thais so that people can take advantage of advanced digital technologies and innovations in a sustainable manner with respect to digital security. It is expected that participants will utilize digital knowledge derived from the digital hackathon to advance their future careers and next-generation professions. The HACKaTHAILAND digital upskilling project’s target groups comprise students, undergraduates (Youths), university students who are looking for job opportunities, newly graduated students (Future Career), those who are interested in becoming digital entrepreneurs or digi-preneurs, and general people. The HACKaTHAILAND features three core activities: HACKaTHAILAND Online Learning Platform, Hackathon and HACKaTHAILAND Digital Showcase.

2.Smart School Bus Platform

This project is initiated to deal with a preventable problem of students being left in a school bus that led to fatalities. The Smart School Bus Platform uses the advancement of the Internet of Things (IoT) Sensor to monitor and track the body temperature of students in a school bus prior to sending an alert to the central control system and parents via smartphones.

3.Smart City Ambassadors GEN 2

This is a digital upskilling project to elevate smart city development skills. The project seeks out new generations with a strong passion for improving their hometowns. They will be appointed as Smart City Ambassadors (SCA) and will be working in collaboration with relevant agencies and stakeholders in the public and private sectors to materialize smart city development in locally designated areas across the country over the next 12 months.

4.Thai e-Sports Internationalization Project

This is a digital skills development project to equip new-generation people and e-Sports enthusiasts with essential digital skills needed to advance their future careers in the e-Sports sector. The project features a digital skills incubation program, intensive workshops, and a digital upskilling session to motivate e-Sports learning and exploration so that participants can grow globally in the e-Sports industry and be ready to compete with others on an international level.

5.Thai Game Industry to Global

This is a game incubation development project to enhance the potential of Thai gaming entrepreneurs and games developers to create the most compelling games in order to stay competitive when it comes to international competition. The project presents Thai games developers with gaming business growth opportunities to negotiate with trading partners in a business matching session provided. In addition, the project helps boost confidence among foreign investors and expand networking and collaboration among entrepreneurs via two activities: Game Online Academy and Game Accelerator Program.

6.CONNEXION Project

Promoting development of new skills in digital technology and innovation as well as raising awareness about the importance of having new digital skills among general people, unemployed and newly graduated students so that they will be well prepared for next-generation professions in the modern era.

7.Reopening the Country with Digital Tourism Platform

Encouraging the public to take advantage of digital platforms to enhance tourism under the Digital Tourism Platform, Data Bank and Token project. Agencies and stakeholders in the tourism sector are encouraged to embrace digital technologies and innovations developed by the private sector to revitalize the tourism industry so that they will be ready for transitioning to the data economy.

8.Transform: New-Normal Market Project

The Transform Market project in the new normal will be continued to promote adoption of advanced digital technologies and innovations among small business operators, street vendors, SMEs, local shops, hawkers, and street food stalls in target areas. The project aims to maximize their business efficiency by providing them with digital literacy and encouraging them to embrace digital technologies and solutions through five online learning courses.

In addition, the Health Link (Thailand Health Information Exchange Platform) was launched by the Government Big Data Institute (GBDi) and it is under the supervision of depa. It is a centralized health information exchange platform to provide integrated services with patients’ information and medical records linked with participating hospitals across the country to facilitate cross-hospital healthcare services and medical treatment without requesting medical records from the previous or original hospital, enabling medical personnel to instantly access a patient’s medical records to provide accurate healthcare services in a timely manner.

“depa estimates that all the digital-driven development projects will generate no less than 320 billion baht worth of an economic impact for the country. People across segments in society can participate in every project with more than 6.2 million people expected to be leveled up with digital skills. The performances and achievements of each digital project will be on display at “HACKaTHAILAND 2023: DIGITAL INFINITY”, which will be hosted by depa in collaboration with strategic partners in Thailand and abroad. The event is scheduled for late 2023, aimed at providing digital knowledge and experiences to all Thais. There are forums where Thai and foreign digital experts share their thoughts and visions on digitalization. The HACKaTHAILAND also showcases a range of advanced technologies that are divided into four themes: Digital Manpower Development; Digital Industry Development; Adoption of Digital Technologies and Innovations Promotion; and Digital Infrastructure Readiness. depa hopes that all Thais will be able to experience and learn about digital technology and innovation through hands-on experience at the event,” said president/CEO of depa.