What To Know
- Thailand is on track to see its digital economy swell to 3 trillion baht by 2027, thanks largely to the rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI), say findings from a recent industry study.
- At its core, Thailand’s digital future looks set to be defined by how well the country harnesses AI across all corners of the industry—not simply as a tech tool, but as a strategic foundation for growth.
Thailand AI News: AI Poised to Drive Thailand’s Digital Economy to 3 Trillion Baht by 2027
Thailand is on track to see its digital economy swell to 3 trillion baht by 2027, thanks largely to the rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI), say findings from a recent industry study. The 2024 digital economy survey conducted jointly by the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) and the IMC Institute valued the sector at 2.496 trillion baht last year, up by 23.35 percent. With AI identified as the pivotal force behind this upward trajectory, this Thailand AI News report reveals expectations that demand will surge across all subsectors—from hardware and software to digital content and services.
Thailand pushes AI innovation to boost its digital economy toward a 3 trillion baht milestone by 2027
Image Credit: AI Generated
Sector‐by‐Sector Growth Patterns
Hardware Leads Today’s Expansion
The hardware and smart devices segment delivered the strongest performance in 2024, with growth of 26.62 percent, bringing its value to approximately 1.85 trillion baht. This growth was driven by both import and export activity: imports rose 34.40 percent to about 624.1 billion baht, and exports were up 23 percent to 1.22 trillion baht.
Services, Software, Content Follow
Digital services came in next, with 19.54 percent growth reaching 367.7 billion baht. Within that, e-retail grew a smashing 46.29 percent to roughly 117.1 billion baht, while e-logistics advanced 17.60 percent to 108.7 billion. The software industry grew more moderately: around 8.46 percent growth total, with software products and services showing similar proportional gains. Domestic software production hit 172.8 billion baht; exports and imports both rose around 8 to 9 percent. Digital content expanded the slowest—still strong at 14.41 percent—but only reaching 50.6 billion baht.
Labour Trends and Global Trade Impacts
The survey also found varied workforce shifts across sectors. The software sector saw the biggest employment surge, rising roughly 23.77 percent to around 175,254 people, while digital services added 6.23 percent to reach 86,177. On the other hand, the hardware and smart devices sector experienced a fall in employment—down 5.05 percent to about 305,875 people—indicating automation, technological shifts, or production model changes.
Trade dynamics are complex: while hardware exports are strong, global pressures such as US tariff hikes could reshape flows of digital goods. Analysts warn that Thailand’s hardware and smart devices sectors are particularly exposed to such geopolitical risks.
What This Means for the Future
Policymakers and business leaders are being urged to use these survey findings and forecasts (2025-2027) to guide strategy. Growth projections suggest digital services could see 10-14 percent annual growth, hardware and smart devices 6-7 percent, software 4-6 percent, and digital content 1-5 percent.
Given AI’s central role, Thailand could leverage it to accelerate innovation, improve global competitiveness, and mitigate risks tied to trade-wars or slowdowns in any one sector. Further, shifting labour needs mean upskilling and policies geared toward user trust, investment in R&D, and resilient supply chains will become ever more important.
At its core, Thailand’s digital future looks set to be defined by how well the country harnesses AI across all corners of the industry—not simply as a tech tool, but as a strategic foundation for growth. Organizations that invest in suitable skills, infrastructure, and governance now will stand best placed to ride the wave of growth coming over the next few years.
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