Influences of the National ICT Policy on the Socio-Economic Sector

Abstract

Currently, Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology in Thailand has focused on

information and communication technology (ICT) to provide innovation solutions for socio-economic

growth. The best concept for ICT Reform is that the Thai government should not dominate the role of

providing ICT services, but they should be run more efficiently by private companies. Rather, the role of

the government should be to be responsible for planning, structuring and regulation, whilst the private

sector may be responsible for management, investment, construction and finance. The transfer of

responsibility to the private sector and the introduction of competition should be accomplished through

some transparent arrangements including management contracts, capital leases, concessions, sale of assets

and rights to operate (Best Practices for Telecommunications Reform, 2002). However, there exist

difficulties when the government has to formulate the ICT policy. The policymakers are often unfamiliar

with the technologies that they are harnessing for the national development. This article explores the

national ICT development models employed in different countries which exhibit some similarities and

differences. In overall, the ICT policy is not only the direction about developing the ICT industry or

sector of the economy but also encompasses the use of ICTs to engender social and economic growth.

In economics, the main engine of growth remains located in West, the United States and Europe.

When this engine stalls which happened to be the case in 2007-2009, the global economy declines. What

is the driver to shift the decline paradigm to move opposite side? Of course, the strengthen ICT policy

will be one of answers to enable ICT into socio-economic sector. For instant, China, India and Vietnam

enhance the competitiveness of the country by pushing and promoting the use of ICT by preparing the

developing ICT infrastructure in order to support economic sector restructuring, the use of ICT to access

education resources for life-long learning, and ICT for the development for government services and

administration in the form of e-government. The role of the governments are primarily for facilitation,

while it is the ICT industry that plays a key role in the physical realization of our policy decisions and

contributes significantly towards the goals.

In this study, fact findings were obtained through extensive reviews of analyzed and processed

relevant documents, journals, books, internet, researches, theses, and conference proceedings papers,

which proved valuable for establishing a ground for comparing current national ICT policies in

different countries. Concurrently, the primary data collected from six interviewees who were

stakeholders (policy maker, regulator, operator, university professor and consultant) in the industry and

joined an international conference in Korea and Vietnam with an emphasis on agriculture and tourism.

Those were related field of agriculture and tourism. This is the foundation of economic and social

activity that will enhance national competitiveness in economics, trade and industry. It would also lift

the well-being and quality of life of the people, and can help bring about equality. Countries can

develop National ICT Policy to define by “Government Management”, and the government has to

monitor and evaluate plan seriously.

This study found that not only technological adoptions but also a result of compliance to the

prior plans is a major success of the implementation. Like Japan and Korea, they may be superior

examples for Thailand to improve and develop its government national ICT policies management

efficiency.