Developing digital infrastructure and telecommunications

In his national address on May 25, 2018, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said that more investment has been made in developing digital infrastructure and telecommunications, apart from transport infrastructure development.

For instance, the Government had launched a project, known as "Pracharat Internet,” to provide local people with free high-speed internet service.

The project involves the installation of high-speed internet connections through fiber optic cable in all villages across the country.

Another project involves the installation of a submarine cable system, with a length of 25,000 kilometers. It is the first cable system serving as a "land bridge” in international telecommunications, connecting Thailand with 17 countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

The project will enhance Thailand’s potential for becoming an internet exchange center in the ASEAN region, in line with the "Thailand 4.0” policy.

The Prime Minister said that the Government is also accelerating investment in transport infrastructure, linking Bangkok with various communities nationwide. Several projects have already been carried out and are expected to bear fruit by 2022.

Among them are railway networks linking three international airports: Don Mueang in Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi in Samut Prakan, and U-Tapao in Rayong.

He said that measures have been worked out to support education at all levels to enable people to adjust to the changing economic system.

Meanwhile, the National Digital Economy and Society Committee approved strategies for promoting digital economy from 2018 to 2021.

These strategies seek to develop digital manpower, upgrade the country’s economy to "Digital Thailand,” and create digitized communities throughout the country.

In this regard, infrastructure development to accommodate digital innovation will receive a major boost. It also involves smart city development, big data and innovation, and cyber security.