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Measures Rationale Timeframe Related Domestic Agendas
Strategy 1: Enhance the capability of domestic ICT infrastructure to accommodate future growth in domestic demand, and as a preparation for becoming the center of internet exchange for the CLMV group of countries
1.4) Expand the coverage of domestic internet Statistical data in 2014 showed that the internet penetration rate in Thailand (that is, the portion of population 2017 - 2020 and  Digital Thailand Plan,
infrastructure to include underserved and with access to the internet) was at 34.9 percent. This revealed that internet access in Thailand was lower continuing Strategy 1
border areas than the global average, which stood at 43.9, and was also lower compared to several ASEAN countries in onward
the same year. This finding led to the call for policy to address the accessibility issue in Thailand.

Presently, the government’s plan to increase the internet access in Thailand targets 95 percent accessibility
by 2020. The Neutral Backbone Network Corporation, the Neutral Gateway Network Corporation and the
Internet Data Center Corporation are three government sponsored enterprises that have been established
under the umbrella of this policy. They will take the responsibility of maintaining and administering the
national broadband network once the construction has been completed.

Recommendation
The government should focus on bringing internet access to Community Digital Centers and schools in
distant and border areas in order to expand citizens’ access to education and government services. More
importantly, shared investment, such as Public-Private-Partnerships, could lead to more efficient investment
by leveraging the expertise of the private sectors, while also alleviating the budgetary responsibility of the
government.

Office of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Digital Economy and Society