The DE board approved AI governance guidelines and renewed the Smart City designation for eight cities, while pushing the 5G-Advanced strategy toward becoming an ASEAN hub.
Mr. Chaiyanon Chidchob, Minister of Digital Economy and Society, chaired the 1/2026 meeting of the Digital Economy and Society Promotion and Development Committee, attended by Mr. Wetang Puangsap, Secretary-General of the National Digital Economy and Society Committee, along with committee members from relevant agencies including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), and the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA). The meeting was held at conference room N 404, 4th floor, Parliament Building, Samsen Road, Bangkok.
Minister Chaiyanon Chidchob said today’s meeting considered three key issues as follows.
1. AI Governance Guideline for Executives, which was approved to be submitted to the National Digital Economy and Society Board (DE Board) for endorsement, then to the Cabinet for approval, so that public agencies can be informed and implement it. The guideline aims to apply AI to achieve set goals, comply with AI Ethics Principles, and conform to relevant laws and regulations, while appropriately controlling potential risks. The governance framework consists of three main components: 1) establishing the AI Governance Structure and responsibilities of the AI Governance Council, including oversight within the organization; 2) defining the AI Strategy; and 3) overseeing AI-related operations.
2. The study on 5G-Advanced & 10-Giga City for Thailand aims to upgrade digital infrastructure to cover future technologies like 6G, supporting growth in the digital economy and society, and positioning Thailand as a digital hub in ASEAN. This also creates a competitive advantage in the region. The meeting approved presenting this to the DE board for acknowledgment, before assigning the National Digital Economy Agency to use the data in drafting national digital development policies and plans.
3. The renewal of the Smart City designation for eight cities for two years: 1) Nakhon Sawan Smart City, 2) Phang Nga Smart City, 3) Ko Samui Smart City, 4) Pattani Smart City, 5) Phitsanulok Sustainable Smart City, 6) Ubon Ratchathani Smart City, 7) Rayong Smart and Livable City, and 8) Rama 4 Smart City. The meeting approved submitting this to the DE board for endorsement and announcement of the renewal. Additionally, BDE was tasked to study further integration and linking of CCTV systems to improve collaborative application efficiency.
Furthermore, the meeting acknowledged two AI-related issues:
1. ASEAN's AI Innovation Transition Framework, which resulted from studies and development including: 1) an AI Literacy Framework based on Hybrid AI combining data and knowledge; 2) AI Skill Checklist and AI Skill Taxonomies; 3) AI Readiness Assessment Tool for evaluating organizational preparedness in applying AI across public and private sectors; 4) development of an online AI transition advisory center; and 5) development of AI learning courses under the AI literacy framework, with ASEAN members jointly approving the "Responsible AI" application course.
2. The draft Artificial Intelligence Act, which aims to promote AI development and utilization alongside risk governance and citizen protection. It defines involved parties, governance mechanisms, promotion of research, development, testing, and private sector self-regulation. It sets controls on high-risk or harmful AI uses, defines duties of providers and users to assess and manage risks, establishes principles for AI use in the public sector, and addresses transparency in deepfake or AI-generated content. The draft was recommended to ETDA for refinement and to prepare for legal submission procedures.
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