Thailand's digital transformation trends

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24866/1813-3274/2025-3/45-55

Keywords:

Thailand, digital economy, digitalization, e-commerce, digital policy

Abstract

This article analyzes the prospects of Thailand's digital transformation by examining key socio-economic factors driving the country's digitalization, including demographic structure, urbanization, and the growth of the middle class. The study explores government policies on digitalization, such as the establishment of specialized institutions, the development of national strategies, and the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects. The article also examines the dynamics of the digital economy, particularly in the area of e-commerce, and assesses the level of public engagement with digital technologies. The author highlights persistent structural challenges, such as the uneven pace of digital development between urban and rural areas, as well as the lag in digital adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The main conclusion is that, despite significant progress and favorable conditions for a digital leap, Thailand faces serious challenges. To fully realize the potential of digital transformation and achieve regional leadership, the country must overcome digital inequality and accelerate the integration of digital technologies into business processes, especially at the SME level.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

  • Elena S. Burova, Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences

    Senior Researcher at the Vietnam and ASEAN Studies Center

References

1. Thailand’s digital future key to boosting growth // World Bank. URL: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/pressrelease/2025/07/03/thailand-s-digital-future-key-to-boosting-growth

2. GDP (current US$) – Thailand // World Bank. URL: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD?locations=TH

3. Population, total – Thailand // World Bank. URL: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=TH

4. GDP per capita (current US$) – Thailand // World Bank. URL: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD?locations=TH

5. Population ages 15–64, total – Thailand // World Bank. URL: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.1564.TO?cid=GPDfr_1&locations=TH

6. Urban population (% of total population) – Thailand // World Bank. URL: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS?locations=TH

6. Thailand poverty brief // World Bank. URL: https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/780771636649923876/pdf/Thailand-Poverty-Brief.pdf

8. Gini index – Thailand // World Bank. URL: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=TH

9. Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (current US$) – Thailand // World Bank. URL: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.CON.PRVT.CD?locations=TH

10. Government initiative // The Eastern Economic Corridor. URL: https://www.eeco.or.th/en/government-initiative

11. Thailand digital economy and society development plan // Digwatch. URL: https://dig.watch/resource/thailand-digital-economy-and-society-development-plan#:~:text=The%20Thailand%20Digital%20Economy%20and,targeting%20specific%20goals%20and%20milestones

12. Individuals using the Internet (% of population) – Thailand // World Bank. URL: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.NET.USER.ZS?locations=TH

13. Individuals using the Internet (% of population) – Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Thailand // World Bank.

URL: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.NET.USER.ZS?locations=SG-MY-BN-TH

14. Village broadband Internet project (Net Pracharat) // Ministry of Digital Economy and Society. URL: https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/Village%20Broadband%20Internet%20Project%20%28Net%20Pracharat%29%2C%20MDES%20Thailand.pdf

15. Robbie Mitchel. Unpacking Thailand’s Internet resilience // Internet Society. URL: Unpacking Thailand’s Internet Resilience

16. Digital 2025: Thailand // Datareportal. URL: https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2025-thailand

17. Thailand economic monitor. Digital pathways to growth July 2025 // World Bank. URL: https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099070225024525808/pdf/P508079-c47ce804-a29b-46f2-9207-38d85c3f032b.pdf

18. Digital ID verification and authentication system (Digital ID) // Digital Government Development Agency. URL: https://www.dga.or.th/en/our-services/digital-platform-services/digitalid/

19. Thailand country commercial guide // International Trade Administration. URL: https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/thailand-digital-economy

20. Payment systems roadmap // Bank of Thailand. URL: https://www.bot.or.th/content/dam/bot/documents/en/our-roles/payment-systems/payment-systems-policy/PaymentRoadmap-2021.pdf

21. Antonio Postigo. Governing the digital economy in Thailand: Domestic regulations and international agreements // ISEAS Perspective. URL: ISEAS_Perspective_2023_58.pdf

Downloads

Published

30-09-2025

Issue

Section

ECONOMICS

How to Cite

Burova, E. S. (2025). Thailand’s digital transformation trends. PACIFIC RIM: Economics, Politics, Law, 27(3), 45-55. https://doi.org/10.24866/1813-3274/2025-3/45-55