Depa helps Revenue upgrade

The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa) is assisting the Revenue Department in developing big data analytics systems to analyse taxpayer behaviour to improve their services and upskill Revenue officials who deal with emerging tech, such as data science.

The move is part of an effort to transform the department to become a data-governance agency that can share necessary data with the public while keeping personal data safe.

Ekniti Nitithanprapas, director-general of the Revenue Department, indicated the cooperation does not mean his agency will target online businesses for levies. Instead, the department will focus on creating a convenient online tax system to encourage online businesses to be a part the tax system.

The cooperation is part of a threeyear memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the Depa and the Revenue Department on Friday. Depa president and chief executive Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin said the collaboration marks an important step towards a digitally transformed government.

“Depa has a clear mission to propel Thailand towards a full-fledged digital economy with sustainable and inclusive growth that benefits all Thais economically and socially by using data,” said Mr Nuttapon.

He said the Government Big Data Institute, a subsidiary of Depa, will work with the department to achieve two main goals.

First, Depa will help develop Revenue officials in emerging fields, including data science and business intelligence.

Another is to build predictive and prescriptive models to improve the department’s internal workflow and public services.

These personnel and improved pubic services will play a key role in nurturing Thailand’s digital economy, part of the government’s agenda, said Mr Nuttapon.

He said Depa has more than 50 data scientists that could help develop a big data system for the department.

Mr Ekniti said the department aims to enhance its data ecosystem and analytic workflow using big data.

First, the department plans to employ a customer-centric approach by analysing taxpayer behaviour from various sources to design proper tax policies and public services that meet taxpayers’ needs.

Second, the agency will leverage tax filing data to build models and simulations that improve taxrelated predictions.

He said the MoU signifies the department’s commitment to develop its workforce for emerging fields, such as data science.

“The procedure must keep personal data safe,” said Mr Ekniti.