Science and technology strategist, Kittiphong Phromwong, the man behind the state's much-touted "Thailand 4.0" scheme, believes it is not too difficult to see Thais earning more and becoming richer.
Even farmers, who are often struggling to climb up the socio-economic ladder, can shed their financial ills in the next five years, he said.
What will lead them to this bright future, in Mr Kittiphong's view, are skills which would allow them to use modern technology to enhance productivity in their jobs.
The chief of the National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council is busy with plans to equip people with new know-how which he believes is an important piece in solving the jigsaw puzzle that is the state's efforts to make workers, both in the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors, become more financially well-off.
Thais have for some time heard of the phrase "Thailand 4.0", but most are likely to have little idea of the impact it can have on their jobs.
Thailand 4.0 is a state project aimed at gearing the country towards the fourth industrial revolution -- which centres around advanced technology and high-level services.
"To understand the economic value of technology, we must first acquaint ourselves with innovations by learning and experimenting with a range of tools at our disposal -- at our workplaces, or even on the internet," he said.
Mr Kittiphong said the government must begin by encouraging children to study "Stem" subjects -- science, technology, engineering and mathematics -- and at the same time, help adults get the hang of modern technology.
The government, he said, is particularly focusing on those working in the agricultural sector, because while the economy still greatly depends on farming, those working in the sector often find it hard to make ends meet, and many have been helplessly trapped in an endless cycle of poverty.
"We need to transform them into smart farmers," Mr Kittiphong told the Bangkok Post. "We have to create farmers which are adept at using technology to reduce costs and rack up revenues."
At present, the average Thai farmer earns only about 58,000 baht each year.
"If they know how to add value to their produce by adopting environmentally-sound practices, for instance, they could make more in the long run," said Mr Kittiphong. "Each farmer can increase their earnings to 150,000 baht a year."
He added that current efforts to help farmers boost their output using modern technology should start to bear fruit in 2024.
According to Mr Kittiphong, the old-fashioned way of living off the money made by selling whatever is produced on farms is no longer enough. "These days, new marketing strategies and innovative methods are needed to add value to products and increase their worth," he said.
To serve this purpose, Mr Kittiphong -- who is well-known for his role in getting companies to apply new technologies to improve their businesses -- has set up Food Innopolis, an innovation hub focused on food research and development (R&D).
The site, located in Thailand Science Park in Pathum Thani's Khlong Luang district, houses facilities which could support food producers of every scale -- be it local, regional or global. So far, 36 companies have set up R&D centres at Food Innopolis.
"I'm sure this will pave the way for both employers and employees to earn more money," he said.
To make full use of the innovation hub, the government should also prepare other people for becoming highly-skilled workers and promote entrepreneurship among youths to boost the number of new startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
"We want to encourage especially young people to start their own businesses in their own local communities, so they can help develop their home provinces," Mr Kittiphong said.
"It's exciting to see how they will use new technologies to improve the quality of their farm produces, cuisine offerings as well as tourism," Mr Kittiphong said.
According to him, Stem education is crucial because it will allow people to make full use of both online and offline technologies. "At present, only 35% of bachelor's degree holders graduate with a major in a Stem subject, but the government plans to increase the number to 40% in 2022 to 50% in the next five years," Mr Kittiphong said.
According to Mr Kittiphong, this is the "new dream" of the Thai economy.
"But first, we have to produce more skilled-workers to make more value-added goods and increase their earnings," he said.