BANGKOK, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Thailand is making a push to position itself as a regional hub for "trusted artificial intelligence (AI)," inviting international tech leaders to build, test, and govern AI through public-private collaborations, Minister of Digital Economy and Society Chaichanok Chidchob said on Thursday.
In his video remarks at the opening of the Huawei Thailand Digital & AI Summit 2026, Chaichanok emphasized that no single entity can shape the future of AI alone, calling for collective efforts uniting government, private industry, academia, and tech innovators.
The future of AI will be built through partnership, he said. "The true measure of AI is not how advanced the technology becomes; it is how much value it creates for the people."
Chaichanok outlined a strategic roadmap designed to position Thailand as Southeast Asia's digital hub, anchored by infrastructure, trust, and human capital as three key priorities.
To build trust and real-world governance, the minister stressed that Thailand is establishing a national AI governance sandbox to align global principles with practical implementation and protect the public from online scams, deepfakes, and digital fraud.
Delivering a keynote address, Patchara Anuntasilpa, permanent secretary of the ministry, underscored that digital technologies and AI are emerging as primary drivers to modernize the Thai economy, bolster national standing, and ensure long-term prosperity.
Focusing on the theme "Scaling Thailand's Digital Economy through Trustworthy AI," Patchara reaffirmed the government's commitment to advancing AI research, strengthening digital infrastructure, and supporting next-generation sectors so all citizens can benefit from the ongoing digital transformation.
He further noted that Thailand's next step is to expand the digital landscape through reliable AI, ensuring that every breakthrough is built on security, responsibility, and confidence. ■