Thailand aims to improve its ranking by two notches in the global ICT Development Index (IDI) to 72nd by 2018 after rapid development of the country's digital infrastructure.
The government has charted measures to promote emerging technologies, especially the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data, among local small and medium-sized enterprises and state agencies to enhance competitiveness.
Speaking at ITU Telecom World 2016 in Bangkok yesterday, International Telecommunication Union secretary-general Houlin Zhao said Thailand's global IDI improved from 92nd in 2010 to 74th in 2015.
"The country's ranking has improved by 18 places in just five years, compared with an average improvement of two or three places of other countries," he said.
ACM Thares Punsri, chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, attributed the fast improvement in Thailand's IDI standing to the shift from a concession regime to a licensing system.
The auctions of 3G and 4G telecom spectrum leading to nationwide high-speed wireless broadband connectivity, the construction of a national broadband network in rural areas as well as a tech-savvy population are also the key drivers of the improvement.
ACM Thares cited an analysis from Frost & Sullivan suggesting that this year's ITU Telecom World event is expected to have 25,000 attendees generating total spending of 715 million baht on business travel.
ACM Prajin Juntong, deputy prime minister and acting minister of the Digital Economy and Society Ministry, said the event will be a platform for Thailand to showcase ICT innovations through the use of emerging technologies like IoT and big data for sustainable technology development.
This year's ITU Telecom World opens up private and public organisations to opportunities for exhibiting emerging advanced technologies that will transform life, business and the global economy.
At the event, mobile leader Advanced Info Service is showcasing its new digital technology-driven services under the "Live Digital, Live More" concept to serve the trend for tech-driven lifestyles.
Second-ranked operator Total Access Communication, in collaboration with the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center, has earmarked 20 million baht to implement a pilot smart farming project using sensor technology in 15 farms -- targeting 7 million new-generation farmers.
Third-ranked True Move demonstrated the use of IoT in cities and the automotive industry. The company also highlights its cloud computing services and its True Innovation Park project that features co-working spaces to support startup companies.