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Table 5 Roadmap for Thailand’s Implementation under the ASEAN ICT Masterplan 2020: Strategy 5

Measures Rationale Timeframe Related Domestic Agendas
Strategy 5: Equip the domestic workforce with ICT skills, in preparation for more intense competition in the ASEAN Community
5.1) Facilitate the entry of ICT specialists from A survey conducted in 2015 reported that the ICT industry is short of manpower by a staggering 13,169 people. 2017 - 2018  Digital Thailand Plan,
ASEAN Member States or other countries Current demands are for hardware specialists, system designers and analysts, programmers and executive Strategy 5
level information officers.

Recommendation
In the short run, the shortage may need temporary substitution by foreign workforces to ensure the continuous
growth of the ICT industry in Thailand.
5.2) Create an online learning MOOCs The speedy transformation of society and the economy comes with the challenge for teachers of keeping their 2018 - 2019  Digital Thailand Plan,
database that is accessible to the general content up to date. Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs) is a format of educational content delivery that Strategy 5
population was designed to address this challenge. With MOOCs, students will be able to access content through the
internet. Its key advantages are up-to-date content and a variety of courses offered, from which students can
choose according to their interest and preference. Presently, there are several successful MOOCs-based online
education platforms, many of which are private companies and some of which are non-profit, such as Coursera,
EdX or Udacity.

Recommendation
The government’s efforts in improving accessibility to the education system may be addressed, in part, by
using MOOCs. First of all, it would allow students more flexibility with their choice of content. The government
should therefore begin work on establishing a MOOCs platform in Thailand. The initiation may begin from
within the government, but should also open opportunity for collaboration with educational institutions and
private educational content providers.

Office of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Digital Economy and Society