Press Release
Bangkok, 27 March 2025 – Policymakers, industry leaders, and academic experts convened today at the Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council for an insightful research dialogue on “Tech Governance in Thailand: Forward-Looking Policies for Sustainable Growth.” The session, organised by NXPO and the Tech for Good Institute, explored key trends and developments in the evolving regulatory landscape of Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on Thailand’s recent policy advancements.
The event also marked the launch of the 2nd Edition of the TFGI’s report, The Evolution of Tech Governance in Southeast Asia-6. The report captures major policy and regulatory developments across the region in 2024, covering Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
“Governments all over the world are seeking to keep pace with innovation while enabling a safe, trusted, inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem. That’s why the early mindset of ‘move fast and break things’ is evolving into ‘move faster, but fix things.
As each country approaches this challenge differently, Tech for Good Institute is delighted to work with NXPO to bring both a regional and national view to tech governance trends in the last year.”
Dr Ming Tan
Founding Executive Director of the Tech for Good Institute.
Promoting the Digital Economy, while Protecting the Digital Society
This mindset of adopting a careful approach is evident in the discussion, which centred around two key themes: the promotion of the digital economy and the protection of the digital society. In Thailand, for example, the promotion of the digital economy focuses on maximising the economic potential of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. One key initiative to highlight is Thailand’s vision to be recognised as a leader in AI innovation and ethics. The country is set to host the first Asia-Pacific UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of AI in June 2025, further reinforcing Thailand’s commitment to responsible AI development.
To mitigate the risks, the protection of the digital society is also a key priority for Thailand, achieved by creating a regulatory environment grounded in inclusion, trust, and sustainability. The establishment of the Cybercrime Case Division within the Thai Criminal Court, for example, marks a critical step in addressing challenges in the digital domain. Additionally, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) launched the “MHESI for AI” initiative, which focuses on talent development through programmes such as “AI University.” The initiative aims to ensure that 90% of graduates have foundational AI knowledge, with the goal of producing 30,000 AI professionals within three years.
Tech Governance in 2025 and Beyond
The evolving landscape of tech governance presents both challenges and opportunities for Thailand. As AI adoption accelerates, digital platforms innovate, and cross-border data flows increase, Thailand must strike a balance between oversight and fostering a thriving digital ecosystem.
Key experts, including Dr. Sak Segkhoonthod, Senior Advisor at the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA), Dr. Kasititorn Pooparadai, Senior Executive Vice President at the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), Dr. Saliltorn Thongmeensuk from TDRI, and Jirawat Poomsrikaew from the Thai Digital Platform Trade Association, shared their perspectives on what forward-looking policies may look like for 2025.
The speakers noted that while the evolution of tech governance in Thailand will continue, the unique characteristics of the country must be taken into consideration. Emerging issues in AI governance, digital platforms regulations, and mitigating cyber risks will continue to be discussed. In crafting these policies, stakeholders should seek to support the local digital ecosystem, including startups and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, while also accounting for the level of adoption within Thailand’s digital society.
There is no one-size-fits-all governance approach, instead, fit-for-purpose and regulations responsive to the characteristics of Thailand’s digital ecosystem would be better suited to maintaining the digital economy’s growth trajectory and enhancing its competitiveness.
On a regional scale, there is strong regional alignment on key priorities such as AI governance, cybersecurity, data protection, and safety and trust. While countries differ in governance structures and regulatory approaches, this convergence creates valuable opportunities for cross-border collaboration, with ASEAN’s Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) serving as a foundational step toward regional interoperability. Given these differences, regulatory clarity and gradual, coordinated implementation will be essential to ensuring regional alignment while allowing each country to maintain its unique governance model.
About the Tech for Good Institute
Tech for Good Institute (TFGI) is a non-profit organisation founded in 2021 to encourage conversations and dialogue on how the promise of technology and the digital economy may be leveraged to enable sustainable, equitable and inclusive growth for Southeast Asia.
About the Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO)
The Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO) is an autonomous public agency affiliated to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. NXPO serves as the secretariat of the National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council (Policy Council) and is, therefore, responsible for facilitating the Policy Council in formulating, deploying and monitoring national policy addressing higher education, science, research and innovation under the guidance and instruction of the Policy Council.
For media inquiries, please contact:
- Anont Tanaset
Policy Specialist, NXPO
[email protected] - Keith Detros
Programme Lead, TFGI
[email protected]
