PDPC launches Data Privacy Day 2026 under the theme "Privacy in Action," aiming to elevate data protection into practical measures and strengthen trust in Thailand's digital economy.
The Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) organized "Data Privacy Day 2026" with the concept "Privacy in Action," advancing personal data protection from awareness to actual implementation in organizational systems, services, and daily technology use nationwide. The event featured various activities and highlighted PDPC's enhanced role in addressing contemporary challenges such as digital economy growth and AI regulation. Mr. Patchara Anantasillapachai, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, honored the event as the opening ceremony chair.
Mr. Patchara Anantasillapachai, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, stated the government prioritizes building a digital ecosystem based on trust, transparency, and accountability, especially as digital services and new technologies like AI increasingly influence many life aspects. Personal data of Thai citizens has become both an opportunity and a challenge for the country. “Promoting the concept of Privacy in Action appropriately reflects this direction because data protection should not remain only at the policy level but must be implemented in organizational systems, services, and workflows to build tangible public confidence.”
The current digital economy's growth relies heavily on data, leading to widespread use of personal data—from identity verification, digital finance, and e-commerce to applications of Generative AI. Thus, data privacy is not just about laws but about establishing a robust infrastructure to ensure the country's economic progress remains stable. An IBM report states the global average cost of data breaches is $4.88 million, up about 10% from the previous year, indicating rising global costs due to insufficient data readiness and security.
Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum's survey reveals that AI is the key driver of cybersecurity transformation, with 94% of respondents identifying it as critical. The proportion of organizations globally adopting AI security assessment processes rose from 37% to 64% within a year.
The Permanent Secretary added that as the digital economy is driven by data and organizations worldwide accelerate AI adoption, the key challenge is not only to use AI but to “use it effectively and trustworthily.” Organizations must establish clear governance frameworks covering data use, risk management, security, and ethics to ensure innovation does not compromise citizens' rights or personal data security.
Pol. Col. Surapong Plengkum, Secretary-General of the Personal Data Protection Committee, said personal data has become a fundamental element for people's lives, the digital economy, and national security. Public confidence in digital technology depends on how well their data is safeguarded. “PDPC’s mission is to ensure personal data protection laws are not just principles on paper but frameworks that are practically applied, producing tangible results in the operations of agencies and organizations. This must go beyond understanding to actual implementation in work processes, services, and daily technology use across all organizations.”
PDPC’s role this year focuses on regulation, promotion, support, and development of tools to help organizations raise their data care standards and build public trust concretely, aligned with contemporary challenges. These include fostering digital economy growth (Secure Digital Economy) based on trust and data security, and AI governance founded on rights, safety, and responsibility.
Additionally, Data Privacy Day 2026 features key activities that help realize the Privacy in Action concept in both policy and practice, including:
• A keynote speech titled "Building a Data-Driven Nation: The Role of Trust & PDPC’s Vision," connecting government and business roles through trust to drive the country toward a data-driven nation.
• The CEO Playbook panel reflecting executive perspectives on elevating "Data Governance" as a corporate strategy to confidently use data and AI while reducing legal and reputational risks.
• The AI & Privacy forum analyzing global trends in Generative AI regulation and data ethics to establish balanced AI usage frameworks that respect innovation and rights.
• Activities strengthening the trust ecosystem, such as the PDPA Challenge 2025 award ceremony promoting personal data protection legal knowledge at the higher education level, and signing cooperation agreements with partner agencies to extend data protection to the real economy.
• Exhibitions and presentations of data privacy support tools enabling organizations to adopt them effectively, aligning with the event’s goal to provide all sectors with knowledge, perspectives, and tools for practical organizational application.
Pol. Col. Surapong Plengkum concluded that PDPC hopes Data Privacy Day 2026 will serve as a platform linking knowledge, cooperation, and best practices among government, private sector, academia, and the public. This aims to elevate the country’s personal data protection standards, build confidence in Thailand’s digital system, and drive sustainable, stable growth of the digital economy over the long term.
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