State big data system en route

State big data system en route

The government plans to set up Thailand's first big data state management system to help the state contend with fast-growing pools of data saved in a variety of formats.

The system is also aimed at ensuring a high level of data accessibility and governing large volumes of both structured and unstructured data, said Digital Economy and Society (DE) Minister Pichet Durongkaveroj.

"The system will enable state authorities to provide greater public e-services and improve the quality of services," he said yesterday at the TrueBusiness forum entitled Smart Thailand 4.0.

Mr Pichet disclosed that he has been assigned by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to draft a clear roadmap for the planned establishment of the big data management system within July.

A working panel has already been set up, led by Mr Pichet's advisers and representatives from the Electronic Government Agency, to choose the systems to be implemented.

Mr Pichet said building a system to manage big data is vital to help the government accommodate abundant digital information available to state agencies and deal with increasingly sophisticated cyberthreats.

He said big data management systems will provide categories for data classification and instructions for state agencies to classify data into each category.

State agencies have a combined 300 data centres with total usage space of 36,000 square metres.

"The government wants to reduce the amount of state data centres to 200 sites over the next five years to eliminate inefficiency and redundancy while improving performance," Mr Pichet said.

Speaking at the forum, Deputy PM Somkid Jatusripitak said the transformation from a manufacturing-based economy to an entrepreneur-based economy within 2022 will require the successful implementation of the state's digital economy policy.

"Thailand's economic structure needs to change. More than 60% of gross domestic product stems from manufacturing for export. This cannot create sustainable growth for the country in the long term," he said.

Mr Somkid said creativity and innovative digital platforms are the two most important factors for businesses to enhance their productivity and efficiency, and drive the country's competitiveness to the next level.

Suphachai Chearavanont, executive chairman of True Corporation, said True has set up a fund worth 300 million baht to support the development of local startups.

The company plans to raise another 700 million baht for the fund in 2018.

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