The announcement was made during a seminar that locally launched the recent World Bank report, “The Internet of Things: The New Government-to-Business Platform”.

Over 150 representatives from the Thai government, international organisations, businesses, NGOs and the media attended the seminar.

“The Internet of Things plays a key role in our daily lives,” said Minister Pichet Durongkaveroj of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES).

“Recognizing the importance of IoT in creating digital innovation that will boost productivity and improve individual lives” the Ministry is working to promote its development through various initiatives, said Pichet.

The Ministry has spearheaded creation of the IoT Institute to nurture a healthy IoT ecosystem in Thailand. The seminar was the Institute’s first step “in promoting the development and adoption of this exciting technology,” said Pichet.

Policy recommendations include improving the knowledge and familiarity of IoT among most government agencies and its relevance to their immediate functions; translating “hype to reality” and preparing how-to “toolkits” to implement initiatives with IoT components; and disseminating “lessons” from peers, as many agencies are keen to learn about initiatives in other countries, and what had worked or had not.