Leading AI Consultancy in Bangkok Warns That AI Sovereignty Is Thailand’s Next Economic Shield

Thailand must act quickly to secure its future in artificial intelligence or risk becoming an “AI colony,” according to Real Smart Public Company Limited, which is urging the country to embrace its AI Sovereignty Trilogy. The initiative seeks to protect Thailand’s control over data, technology, and AI governance while accelerating economic growth through 12 national AI missions designed to modernise both the public and private sectors.

Speaking during the 2026 Advanced Economic Journalists’ Capacity Building Program organised by the Economic Journalists Association on August 1, 2026, Real Smart Chief Executive Officer Mr. Phukit Distharanon said the world is being reshaped by geopolitical tensions, a slowing global economy, and unprecedented investment in artificial intelligence. This Thailand AI News report highlights his message that AI is no longer simply another technology but a strategic national asset that will determine future economic competitiveness.

AI Is Reshaping National Economies

Mr. Phukit described AI as far more than an IT project, calling it a national productivity policy and a new operating system for organizations. AI creates what he termed “Intellectual Capital,” enabling businesses and governments to improve analysis, creativity, decision-making, and operational efficiency while reducing costs.

He said countries that successfully integrate AI into everyday operations will gain significant advantages, while those that delay adoption risk falling behind as the global economy undergoes rapid digital transformation.

Thailand’s Opportunity

Although Thailand’s Digital Industry Sentiment Index for the first quarter of 2026 stood at 44.5, reflecting weaker business activity, rising costs, and slowing demand, Mr. Phukit believes the country still has a unique opportunity to become a Non-Aligned Tech Hub.

He pointed to expected investments exceeding 200 billion baht in data centers by Amazon Web Services, Google, and Microsoft over the next five years as evidence that Thailand can strengthen its digital infrastructure and position itself as a regional technology center.

Protecting Thailand Through AI Sovereignty

Real Smart’s AI Sovereignty Trilogy focuses on three priorities: protecting national data sovereignty, developing AI that understands the Thai language and local culture, and establishing effective AI governance through appropriate regulations.

Mr. Phukit summarized the strategy by saying the government should build the digital infrastructure, the private sector should develop innovative AI solutions, and the public should ultimately benefit. Supporting this vision are 12 proposed national AI missions covering sectors such as smart tourism, precision agriculture, and SME development to improve productivity and competitiveness.

SMEs Must Go Beyond Basic AI Adoption

Mr. Phukit warned that many organizations remain caught in what he called the “Adoption Paradox,” where AI is introduced without changing how work is actually performed.

Instead, businesses should integrate AI directly into accounting, marketing, exports, customer service, and operational management. He also stressed that AI literacy must become a national priority while workers continue strengthening uniquely human skills such as creativity, critical thinking, leadership, and ethical judgement.

AI Government Built Around Public Trust

Associate Professor Dr. Rungroj Chokngamwong, Chief Information Technology Officer of Real Smart Public Company Limited, outlined how AI can transform public administration by delivering faster, more accurate, and more personalized government services.

He said AI Government should focus on data-driven policymaking, AI assistants supporting officials, real-time decision-making, and digital public services that improve convenience while strengthening public confidence. Estonia’s X-Road digital platform was highlighted as an example of successful inter-agency data sharing.

However, he cautioned that governments must also address risks including AI hallucinations, algorithmic bias, unsupervised decision-making, and systems that fail to understand cultural contexts.

Kimi K3 Signals Changing Global Competition

Dr. Rungroj said China’s Kimi K3 model demonstrates how advanced AI is becoming increasingly powerful while also becoming more affordable and accessible. The rapid emergence of low-cost AI has already affected global capital markets, particularly South Korea, where technology shares experienced sharp volatility before recovering following Microsoft’s announcement of strong commercial returns from AI investments.

He noted that any slowdown in South Korean investment could indirectly affect Thailand’s tourism and property sectors because of the country’s close economic ties with Korean consumers and investors.

Building Thailand’s AI Future

Dr. Rungroj proposed five priorities for Thailand’s AI future: placing citizens at the center of digital transformation, improving government data management, creating a Government AI Platform, implementing AI governance from the beginning, and strengthening AI literacy throughout the public sector.

He emphasized that AI itself is not the greatest risk; rather, the challenge lies in how people choose to develop and use the technology. As AI becomes increasingly affordable worldwide, Thailand has a critical opportunity to strengthen digital infrastructure, build public trust, and establish AI sovereignty. By combining responsible governance with investment in innovation and workforce skills, the country can improve national competitiveness, accelerate economic growth, and position itself as a leading AI economy in Southeast Asia.

For more on Real Smart Public Company Limited, visit: https://www.realsmart.co.th/