Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa cited the digital economy as a vital and dynamic force in advancing Thailand’s development – one that is resilient, innovative, inclusive, and sustainable.

Mr. Maris led the discussion on digital economy development at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Ministerial Council Meeting 2025 on 4 June 2025 at the OECD Conference Center in Paris. He emphasized that, in order to promote the digital economy and its governance, countries should prioritize policy coherence, interoperability, and increase digital literacy for citizens.

Mr. Maris was also the lead speaker in the session “Promoting investment in the digital economy for resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability.” In his statement at the session, he said that Thailand’s digital economy in 2025 is projected to reach a value of almost 150 billion US dollars, or nearly a quarter of Thai GDP, marking a 7.3 percent growth from the previous year. Such growth is a result of consistent domestic policies, especially in digital infrastructure development, the promotion of cluster-based innovation, and the provision of funding and targeted incentives.

In 2023, Thailand’s Board of Investment approved investment projects for the digital economy worth 7.3 billion US dollars, focusing on data centers, AI, semiconductors, cloud infrastructure, and digital financial services.

Thailand has also implemented measures to enhance cyber security, strengthen data protection, and promote e-government. Notably, its “Go Cloud First” policy requires all public agencies to use secure cloud platforms that align with international data protection standards. Mr. Maris continued that Thailand was committed to the use of clean energy in the digital sector, especially for energy-intensive data centers and cloud services. 

“Looking forward, Thailand’s goal is to submit the Initial Memorandum in December this year, and to complete the accession process by 2030. We take pride in using AI to support the Initial Memorandum and technical review process. This will support regulatory reforms that will enhance the digital economy ecosystem and help address key challenges we currently face. First, it will bolster Thailand’s efforts to build digital skills for our people. Second, it will help improve coordination across national strategies and committees, particularly in inter-connected areas, such as AI and semiconductors. Third, it will enhance our capacities to tackle cybersecurity threats and digital crime, while reinforcing the ethical, accountable, and trusted use of technologies,” he said.