Suphachai commits to digital focus
Council aims to promote culture that enhances competitiveness
Digital Council of Thailand (DCT) president Suphachai Chearavanont has vowed to drive digital culture and startups to make changes in the country, as he was reappointed to helm the body of more than 4,000 members of the digital industry.
The term runs from 2021-2023. He completed his first term in October this year.
Mr Suphachai, who is also chief executive of Charoen Pokphand Group, expressed his commitment to working for the optimum benefit of the country.
He said the DCT has been working with all parties to help Thailand get through the pandemic and ensure the country can grow in a sustainable way driven by digital technology.
“We are focusing on a strategy for a digital culture and startups to make changes in a tangible way,” Mr Suphachai said.
He said the DCT under his leadership will continue to follow its five key missions: ushering in standards or indicators for digital development; collaborating with state, private and public sectors; pushing for human resource development in digital fields; developing the digital economy; and turning Thailand into a regional innovation hub.
“All the missions take into account the sustainable development of the country and industry,” said Mr Suphachai.
The council also wants to help startups enhance the country’s digital competitiveness.
In his first term, he played a key role in pushing for a digital index to assess the country’s digital development as part of measures to level up Thailand’s digital competitiveness.
The DCT also worked with the Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Ministry and the Association of Private Higher Education Institutions of Thailand to promote digital skills among university students through upskilling and reskilling programmes.
The DCT Digital U project enhanced digital skills for Thais through partnerships with Microsoft, Accenture, Oracle, SET e-Learning, and CHULA MOOC Achieve.
The council also pushed for regulations to support the country’s innovation ecosystem, such as an exemption on capital gains tax.
In addition, the DCT supported field hospitals treating Covid-19 patients with digital technology.