Thailand prepares for national AI strategy’s second phase
The development of an artificial intelligence (AI) workforce and the creation of a Thai large language model (ThaiLLM) are among the six proposed flagship projects under the second phase of Thailand's national AI strategy and action plan.
Chai Wutiwiwatchai, deputy chairman of the National AI Policy and Action Plan Steering Committee, said a new National AI Committee is pending appointment by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and plans to begin implementing the second phase for 2024-27.
Thailand will spend THB1.5 billion ($42 million) on AI development projects. Photo courtesy of iStock.
An estimated budget of THB1.5 billion ($42 million) is required for these projects, with THB1 billion dedicated to the development of 30,000 AI-skilled workers, including engineers and beginners.
The National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), secretary of the steering committee, recently held a confidential hearing where details of the proposed projects were shared by associated organisations.
Tiranee Achalakul, president of the Big Data Institute, said Travel Link is the institute's AI project to combine tourism data with AI to recommend tourism attraction, elaborating that they will use generative AI to make a tourism chatbot.
According to Tiranee, Travel Link is expected to help local communities earn more revenue from tourism through the insight of travellers.
Nakarin Amarase, senior vice-president for external affairs at Siam Commercial Bank, said the use of AI to strengthen the fraud detection system is essential to reduce losses from financial fraud.
From March 17, 2023 to Feb 29, 2024, losses from cybercrime totalled THB27 billion ($750 million) from an average of 645 cases per day, he said.
Kobkrit Viriyayudhakorn, president of the AI Entrepreneur Association of Thailand, said ThaiLLM is an important project which is expected to require a budget of THB120 million to create an open source ThaiLLM foundation and chatbots to offer information on health, travel and the environment.
They aim to employ 590 AI workers for the project and encourage the creation of Thai AI startups, reducing both costs and reliance on foreign AI, he added
- Read More
US agreement on 20% tariff for goods imported from Vietnam is a success: expert
Reaching agreement with the U.S. on 20% tariff for goods imported from Vietnam and even 40% for transshipping is a success for the Southeast Asian country, said Ho Quoc Tuan, a senior lecturer of accounting & finance at University of Bristol, the UK.
Economy - Thu, July 3, 2025 | 9:55 am GMT+7
Malaysia diversifies trade partners to stay economically resilient
Malaysia’s economy remains resilient thanks to its long-term and comprehensive economic strategy, despite geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that have raised concerns about the possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz and disruption to global energy supplies, according to the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry (MITI).
Southeast Asia - Thu, July 3, 2025 | 8:44 am GMT+7
Vietnam Airlines launches first direct air link between Vietnam and Italy
National-flag carrier Vietnam Airlines officially launched its first direct flight connecting Hanoi and Milan on Tuesday, establishing direct air link between Vietnam and Italy for the first time.
Travel - Thu, July 3, 2025 | 8:28 am GMT+7
Makara Capital Partners wants to mobilize $5-7 bln for investments in Vietnam: exec
Singapore's Makara Capital Partners is eyeing investment opportunities in Vietnam, including those in the biological and pharmaceutical industries and the International Financial Center project.
Economy - Thu, July 3, 2025 | 12:52 am GMT+7
Vietnam, US reach agreement on landmark trade deal framework
Vietnam's Party chief To Lam and U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday stated that they welcome the agreement reached by the two countries' negotiating teams on the Joint Vietnam-United States Statement on a Fair, Balanced, and Reciprocal Trade Agreement Framework.
Economy - Wed, July 2, 2025 | 11:28 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's ACV expects 17% profit drop, plans $1.52 bln investment in Long Thanh airport this year
State-owned Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), which operates 22 airports nationwide, expects its 2025 pre-tax profit to decline 17% year-on-year to VND10.53 trillion ($402.56 million) due to foreign exchange losses.
Companies - Wed, July 2, 2025 | 4:08 pm GMT+7
Two mega urban area projects in central Vietnam get greenlight
Two major urban projects in Quang Ngai province's Dung Quat Economic Zone, with a total investment of over VND54 trillion ($2.06 billion), have received in-principle approvals from Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha.
Real Estate - Wed, July 2, 2025 | 4:02 pm GMT+7
Roadmap for cleaner fuel transition launched for Vietnam’s first oil refinery Dung Quat
Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical JSC (BSR) and PV Gas D, a subsidiary of PV Gas, have signed an MoU on LNG trading principles, marking a significant step in BSR’s roadmap to transition from traditional fuels to cleaner alternatives at Dung Quat Oil Refinery.
Economy - Wed, July 2, 2025 | 3:52 pm GMT+7
EPC contracts signed for Vietnam’s offshore Block B - O Mon gas pipeline
Southwest Pipeline Operating Company (SWPOC), a subsidiary of Vietnam’s state-owned Petrovietnam, on Monday signed EPC contracts for two key packages (PC1 and PC2) of the Block B – O Mon gas pipeline project.
Economy - Wed, July 2, 2025 | 2:01 pm GMT+7
Major Vietnamese developer Sun Group proposes riverfront road, metro line projects in HCMC
Sun Group, a leading real estate developer in Vietnam, is seeking Ho Chi Minh City authorities’ permission to invest in a riverfront road along the Saigon River and a 40-kilometer metro line under the build-transfer (BT) model in the former Cu Chi district.
Infrastructure - Wed, July 2, 2025 | 1:32 pm GMT+7
Vietnam stock market to enjoy favorable 'tailwinds' in H2: experts
While external challenges are persistent, domestic economic stimulus policies will be a key driver helping Vietnam's stock market become more positive in the remaining six months of 2025, according to experts.
Finance - Wed, July 2, 2025 | 8:20 am GMT+7
Agro-forestry-fishery exports rise over 14% in H1
Vietnam’s total agro-forestry-fishery trade in the first half of 2025 is estimated at $57 billion, with exports reaching $33.5 billion, up 14.3% year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
Companies - Tue, July 1, 2025 | 10:33 pm GMT+7
Banks end magnetic cards, require biometrics for firms from July 1
From July 1, banks across Vietnam have stopped using magnetic stripe cards and now require biometrics for company accounts to prevent fraud and improve security.
Banking - Tue, July 1, 2025 | 10:17 pm GMT+7
Data Law aims to protect data and unlock value
The 2024 Data Law, which aims to regulate the collection, sharing and commercial use of data, creating a trusted marketplace while enhancing personal data protection and cybersecurity, takes effect on Tuesday, July 1.
Companies - Tue, July 1, 2025 | 10:06 pm GMT+7
Thailand attracts large investment in data centers, digital services
The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) has approved investment applications worth a total of THB 28.6 billion (about $870 million) in digital infrastructure and travel sector projects, as well as incentives for the use of local content in the manufacturing of electric vehicles (EV) and hybrids, as well as electrical appliances (E&E).
Southeast Asia - Tue, July 1, 2025 | 9:55 pm GMT+7
Indonesia launches $5.9 bln EV battery ecosystem
Indonesia held a groundbreaking ceremony on Sunday for its integrated electric vehicle (EV) battery ecosystem in Karawang, West Java province.
Southeast Asia - Tue, July 1, 2025 | 9:49 pm GMT+7
