- On October 9, 2026, the Bangkok Post reported that Thailand’s telecom groups believe AI could become a new engine of economic growth, helping the country transition from a digital economy to an “intelligent economy”.
- According to AIS CEO Pratthana Leelapanang, AI could generate more than 500 billion baht in additional economic value by 2027, equivalent to over 2% of Thailand’s GDP.
- While Thailand’s GDP grows by around 2–3% annually, the digital economy is estimated to be expanding at twice that rate. Total investment in digital infrastructure, data and software is expected to exceed 1 trillion baht in 2026.
- AIS has pledged to invest 50 billion baht annually in AI, cloud computing and domestic data capabilities.
- Thailand aims to develop its AI infrastructure across six layers, encompassing digital sovereignty, energy, connectivity, computing capacity and national AI models.
- According to True Corporation CEO Sigve Brekke, around 70% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have started using AI, but only 9% have deeply integrated it into their business operations.
- Brekke believes effective AI adoption could help Thailand move towards annual economic growth of 5%.
- AI is reportedly involved in around 63% of the purchasing preparation process, creating opportunities for SMEs to reach new customers.
- Brekke estimates that AI costs have fallen by approximately 280 times, while model capabilities have doubled roughly every four months.
- True is developing an AI Hub integrating Claude and Gemini, allowing employees to access multiple models through a single platform.
📌 Thailand’s experience shows that a substantial gap remains between using AI and achieving genuine transformation: 70% of SMEs have adopted AI, but only 9% have integrated it deeply into their operations. Telecom groups propose combining infrastructure investment with skills development, readiness assessments and support for businesses selecting suitable solutions. For SME support policies, the focus should shift from making tools widely available to embedding AI into business processes, measuring productivity and generating economic value. The forecasts and percentages cited in the report should be methodologically verified before being used as a basis for policymaking.
