Thailand needs to retrain its new-generation workforce in data analytics and digital literacy to get ready for the digital transformation in the next five years, says the Thai Federation of ICT Technology Association (TFIT).
"Digital disruption is taking place so fast, as it never has before, and it could cause some vertical sectors to survive or die within five years, or some maybe in 10 years," said TFIT president Suphachai Chearavanont.
He said business organisations need to get their workforce ready with new digital-related skills such as data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI).
The education sector, meanwhile, must improve quality standards to serve future digital technology and market demand.
According to IMD's 2018 World Digital index, Thailand ranked 39th out of 63 countries, improving from 41st in 2017.
Thailand ranked 48th in education, 52nd in digital technology skills and 45th in R&D expenditure.
Poor showings in grants for high-tech talent and software piracy left Thailand ranked 49th in future readiness.
Mr Suphachai said the six digital transformation business indicators are cybersecurity; next-gen tech and innovation (such as blockchain, AI and the Internet of Things); data analytics; deep understanding of user experience; digital workplace; and automation.
Speaking at TFIT Forum 2018, Thomas Klotz, senior partner and managing partner for Southeast Asia at the consultancy Roland Berger, said the government has moved in the right direction but needs to do it faster in terms of execution, as other countries have also moved rapidly to become digital nations and there is a big gap between Thailand and digitally advanced countries.
He said the country needs to strengthen the digital literacy of its citizens, build adequate digital infrastructure, foster innovation and develop supporting policies, in particular with respect to the small and medium-sized enterprises that are the foundation of innovation.
Public-private collaborative projects can be a good start for Thailand 4.0, but challenges remain in empowering small players and leveraging untapped potential.
Moreover, Mr Klotz suggested the country needs a dedicated digital body that synthesise the efforts of digital players and facilitate collaboration with the government.
This digital body could gathering private business organisations like TFIT, he said, which can be a good platform for expediting Thailand's development towards becoming a digital nation.
Having a national digital body that unifies digital groups will create a single point for an enhanced public-private collaboration channel.
Pichet Durongkaveroj, the digital economy and society minister, said his ministry will submit a proposal to establish the Digital Economy Society Council of Thailand to the cabinet this month, with the expectation of approval by the current government.
