Thailand to set up Digital Ministry this week

The Thai Government is to officially set up the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society this week, local media has reported.

The new ministry will replace the Ministry of ICT and is expected to be announced on Friday, according to the Bangkok Post’s ministerial source.

A bill to create the new ministry has not yet been approved, however. The ministry will be in charge of shaping policies to promote and attract digital businesses.

The country is planning smart cities to woo businesses, and changing the way government departments use technology. All digital government projects led by the E-Government Agency will come under the new ministry.

Two new agencies will be set up - the National Digital Economy Committee and the Digital Economy Promotion Agency.

The ministry will also take on responsibility for the National Statistics Office, Meteorological Department, state-owned telecommunications, postal services, Electronic Transactions Development Agency and Software Industry Promotion Agency. The ICT Ministry’s National Disaster Warning Centre will be moved to the Interior ministry.

The new organisation is being accompanied by new leadership. Outgoing ICT Minister Uttama Savanayana tendered his resignation to the Prime Minister on Monday.

Deputy Prime Minister Prajin Juntong has been named acting Minister for Digital Economy during the transition.

Image by ITU Pictures; CC BY 2.0