Thailand moves toward digital economy

BANGKOK, December 4 (TNA) - The Thai government will amend six laws to develop the national economy to become a digital economy. Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha announced the policy in Bangkok on Thursday when opening the Post Today Forum on how digital economy will change Thailand, insisting that his government will push for the digital economy to modernize the national economy and to ensure its smooth growth in the long run, as a digital economy helps save time and state budgets. The prime minister explained that the six relevant laws will be amended to allow the government to conveniently implement policies relating to the digital economy. The prime minister said a digital economic and social board will also be formed and the Thai Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) will be turned into the Digital Economic and Social Ministry to better coordinate digital policies. The prime minister pointed out that Thailand also needs national broadband, digital gateways and a data center to integrate information in the public sector. Besides, the Thai government will apply digital technology to improve potential of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and to fund their development, while also expanding digital services to all parties, including the elderly. (TNA)