Takorn exits post with parting advice

National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) secretary-general Takorn Tantasith put forward several key agenda items, including 5G adoption promotion, the smart hospital project, over-the-top (OTT) platform development and Thailand as a global work-from-home hub, to the national 5G committee for consideration before he left the post yesterday.

The proposals were last Friday sent to the permanent secretary for the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry, who serves as the secretary of the committee, according to Mr Takorn.

These agenda items are aimed to be deliberated at the committee’s first meeting, he said. The 26-member committee, which was formed in May, is chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

“These agenda items are crucial and the national 5G committee should take them into account by driving the overall economy via 5G tech, especially after the Covid-19 crisis,” Mr Takorn said.

He has been chosen as the principal expert for the national 5G committee and the National Digital Economy and Society Committee (NDESC). Official approval is expected to take place soon.

Mr Takorn was also made a member of the National Strategy Committee at yesterday’s cabinet meeting.

He said the national 5G committee should zero in on 5G tech as a way to shore up the sagging economy.

First, the committee should gear up efforts to boost 5G adoption by vertical industries.

Second, efforts must be made to pursue the smart hospital project through collaboration between the government and related parties. Mr Takorn said Siriraj Hospital has agreed to drive towards the smart hospital concept as a pilot healthcare facility.

Third, the committee should turn the country into a work-fromhome hub where foreign executives of global enterprises can come. Remote work is supported by innovative platforms, and the trend has gathered pace in the wake of the pandemic.

Thailand has potential in this regard because it was the first mover on 5G adoption in Asean and the country has performed well in dealing with the outbreak, Mr Takorn said.

Fourth, Thailand must develop its own OTT platforms with the integration of 5G tech for everyday use.

“Local OTT embedded with 5G tech, such as artificial intelligence, for daily use would be a key to promoting new revenue in the new economy,” Mr Takorn said.