Thailand has placed a significant bet on its technological future through the “National Artificial Intelligence Action Plan for Thailand (2022–2027),” serving as a key blueprint for the country’s full-scale digital transformation. This strategic plan is not merely a technological roadmap; it has been positioned as a cornerstone for enhancing economic competitiveness and tangibly improving citizens’ quality of life.
The plan’s clear vision is to build a comprehensive AI ecosystem by 2027, transforming Thailand into an AI-driven economy and positioning it as a regional AI hub. This ambitious goal is guided by measurable targets, including elevating Thailand’s Government AI Readiness Index ranking into the top 50 globally.
The action plan has been systematically structured into five interconnected strategies, designed to create a holistic ecosystem rather than isolated projects:
Societal, Ethical, and Legal Readiness:
Lays the social and regulatory foundation for AI adoption, with targets including enacting at least one AI-related law or regulation and raising awareness among at least 600,000 citizens. This underscores the prioritization of governance as a first step.
Infrastructure and Support Systems Development:
Focuses on building the hardware and platforms essential for AI development, aiming to increase investment in digital infrastructure by 10% per year.
Human Capital and Education Development:
Emphasizes reskilling, upskilling, and cultivating a new generation of AI-ready talent to meet future needs.
Technology and Innovation Development:
Promotes an environment conducive to R&D, supporting the creation of homegrown AI solutions.
AI Application Promotion:
Drives widespread AI adoption in both public and private sectors to generate meaningful economic and social impact.
The Thai government has demonstrated serious commitment through substantial budget allocations and infrastructure investments:
Funding Support:
Approximately THB 12.9 billion has been allocated for AI R&D and workforce training, with an additional THB 639 million dedicated to AI startups. These figures highlight the government’s seriousness in driving the national plan.
Key Infrastructure:
Government Data Center and Cloud Service (GDCC): Established as a central cloud system for storing government data, crucial for enabling AI applications in public services.
LANTA Supercomputer: The most powerful supercomputer in ASEAN, designed to support advanced AI research for both public and private sectors, attracting top-tier researchers and talent.
Within the first two years, the action plan has started yielding tangible outcomes:
National AI Service Platform (“AI for Thai”):
Developed by the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), this platform has become a core national infrastructure, with over 1 million monthly uses and more than 60 APIs covering Thai language processing across text, image, and audio.
Birth of National Large Language Models: OpenThaiGPT and Pathumma LLM:
NECTEC and partners developed OpenThaiGPT, an open-source large language model for Thai, reducing reliance on foreign technology. This ensures Thailand is not merely a technology consumer, paying for services to major powers.
Currently, five government agencies (including the House of Representatives and Revenue Department) are testing Proof of Concept applications.
The platform has further evolved into Pathumma LLM, a multimodal generative AI capable of processing text, images, and audio, demonstrating significant capability growth.
Beyond technology, the government has emphasized soft infrastructure to foster trust in the ecosystem:
National AI Ethical Guidelines:
Launched in March 2022, these guidelines align with international standards to ensure ethical AI development and usage, preventing potential negative societal impacts.
Proactive Oversight by ETDA:
The Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) has continuously developed regulatory frameworks, recently issuing “Guidelines for Responsible Generative AI Use for Organizations”, complementing existing practices. This demonstrates adaptability to rapidly evolving technologies.
This dual-track approach—developing technology alongside governance—recognizes that AI adoption by businesses and citizens hinges on trust. Advancing technology without regulatory frameworks risks failure; combining governance with innovation mitigates risks and builds a sustainable ecosystem, which can also attract foreign investment seeking regulatory clarity.