Currently, the global population has increasingly positive behaviors and attitudes towards electronic transactions, and some countries, including Thailand, are moving towards a cashless society. This shift is driven by supportive technology aimed at providing convenience, speeding up processes, and enhancing security. Clear examples include checking account balances, making payments through mobile applications, online shopping, and conducting transactions beyond simple money transfers via the internet. This behavior is not limited to urban societies but is also spreading to regional and local levels, especially among young Thai people or "millennials," who are the most active e-commerce users.

 

Dr. Phanachai Chairat, Director of the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization), stated that the electronic transaction market is expected to grow rapidly. The development of innovations and technologies is key to expanding these activities and effectively meeting consumer needs. The growth of this platform directly impacts the development of new trade markets in the country, Southeast Asia, and globally, driven by the global trend of increased online usage. This has led to the emergence of three types of innovations:

 

• Digital Commerce, or platforms for buying and selling goods through digital systems, which cater to both urban lifestyles and those in remote regions, allowing easy access to products and services anytime, anywhere. This includes transactions through applications, where users can explore various ways to access products and services, especially as online platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Google Shopping, as well as banks, increasingly adopt e-commerce roles.

 

• Changes in the utilization of physical spaces, such as shopping malls and government offices, where services beneficial to the public are increasingly relocated to these areas. For example, providing information through QR codes in convenience stores or government agencies, requesting financial documents, or simplifying complex procedures using AI and bots to replace call centers.

 

• Public opinion in civil society or the rapid exchange of knowledge, leading to quick changes in behavior and beliefs, particularly the shift towards a cashless society and the transparency of government agencies through electronic transactions.

Dr. Phanachai further mentioned that the NIA recognizes the importance of adapting businesses to align with the digital society. Recently, it collaborated with the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA), an organization specializing in information and communication technology related to electronic transactions, to promote and support the use of technology and innovations in electronic transactions and e-commerce. The goal is to encourage entrepreneurs, startups, and the general public to familiarize themselves with advanced tools and platforms to enhance their work skills, elevate their businesses, and keep pace with changes, especially in financial transactions that are evolving.

 

This collaboration will focus on jointly organizing activities to promote and support education, research, and the development of technology and innovations related to electronic transactions and e-commerce for small, medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and startups. It aims to create tangible business platforms and ecosystems for electronic transactions, collaborate on developing personnel, and build a workforce capable of supporting e-commerce. Additionally, they will work together to develop curricula on electronic transactions, training, academic conferences, knowledge exchange discussions, and sourcing funding for entrepreneurs, experts, or those interested in advancing electronic transactions to enhance the efficiency of each business.

 

This partnership will integrate technological knowledge and innovations, promoting platforms and ecosystems for electronic transactions towards the goal of an e-Commerce Park, which aims to create 1.2 million SMEs and a capable workforce. The ETDA has a primary mission to develop, promote, and support electronic transactions to enhance e-commerce capabilities, increase economic value, and build consumer confidence, knowledge, and skills for online transactions. It also aims to encourage digital investment from leading technology companies both domestically and internationally through the development of regulatory frameworks, standards, and security measures. The National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) or NIA will promote, support, and develop national innovations and provide funding to support the private sector in developing innovative businesses under various projects.

 

“ETDA is ready to drive the establishment of an e-Commerce Park, akin to the Silicon Valley of e-Commerce in the country, which will serve as an incubator for dynamic startups and a vital workforce for the Thai e-commerce market in the future through the Young Talent Platform. ETDA aims to create a workforce of 1,000,000 people and 200,000 SMEs. This collaboration brings us closer to the vision of a robust e-Commerce Platform and Ecosystem that connects entrepreneurs with funding sources, making the dream of Thai e-commerce more achievable.”