Home » ASIA » DEPA Proposes Single Window to Enhance Digital Tourism Sector in Thailand, Boosting Ease of Doing Business for International Visitors
Thursday, August 15, 2024
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The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) in Thailand has proposed the establishment of a single-window system to streamline business operations for foreigners and enhance Thailand’s digital tourism industry. This initiative aims to unify data exchanges among various state agencies, creating a more efficient and business-friendly environment. The proposed single window would serve as a platform-as-a-service, operated through a centralized data portal that connects all relevant agencies, significantly driving the growth of travel-related products and services in the country.
A Strategic Move Towards Digital Tourism
DEPA President and Chief Executive Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin emphasized that the single window is designed to cater to the rapidly growing digital nomad sector. “Thailand has the core potential to become a tourism hub in the region, thanks to its geographic advantages, the readiness of its digital infrastructure, and the attractive cost of living,” Nuttapon stated.
He highlighted that the cost of living for foreigners in Thailand is approximately US$1,000 per month, which is significantly lower than the US$3,000 average in Europe. Furthermore, Thailand’s internet penetration rate is an impressive 88% per capita, with household internet penetration at 43.7%. The country ranks 11th globally in home internet speed and second in ASEAN, reflecting its strong telecommunications infrastructure.
Addressing Challenges for Foreign Businesses
Despite these advantages, foreign startups and investors have expressed concerns regarding the ease of doing business in Thailand. Nuttapon stressed the need for a platform-as-a-service to support the country’s digital tourism policy, emphasizing collaboration among various government agencies and departments to integrate their application programming interfaces (APIs) with the central data portal.
Key players in this initiative include the Customs Department, the Immigration Bureau, the Revenue Department, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry, the Board of Investment (BoI), and the Thai Bankers’ Association. The Digital Government Development Agency is expected to serve as the development center for this project.
ThailandCONNEX: A Successful Model
In 2022, DEPA, in collaboration with Travizgo Technology Co, launched ThailandCONNEX, a comprehensive digital tourism platform. In its first year, ThailandCONNEX connected over 108,000 business operators and offered more than 201,000 travel-related products and services, potentially generating an economic value exceeding 12 billion baht.
ThailandCONNEX operates as a central intermediary within a business-to-business wholesale framework for Thai tourism operators, allowing members to access and showcase their products to both local and international online travel agents. The platform’s success has significantly contributed to the recovery of the Thai tourism industry and the advancement of the country towards a digital economy.
Tags: depa, DEPA Thailand, Digital economy, digital tourism, digital tourism Thailand, single window, single window system, Thailand, ThailandCONNEX, ThailandCONNEX platform, tourism sector Thailand
