Thailand needs greater emphasis on digital skills to become high-income country: TDRI

The suggestion is part of TDRI's latest study, "A Portrait of High-Income Thailand: Future Labor Market Outlook”, which was released on Friday. The goal of this research is to find the best solution for labour policies and measures in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The report paints the picture of a changed labour landscape as a result of digital technology and innovation. This disruption has speeded up global activity than ever before. Meanwhile, people are realising that one set of skills is never enough and that knowledge could get outdated.

One of the researchers, Nattanan Wichitaksorn, stated that not only does the country require new business models to sustainably expand its economy, but Thailand also requires a new formula to incubate its citizens to meet the market's needs.

He noted that in order to become a high-income country with people earning at least $15,000 per year by 2042, the country must focus on the development of five green S-curve industries: green energy, green agriculture and food, green technology, medical and tourism, and digital industry.

The labour market requires people to fill positions in all those industries, particularly the digital industry, in which Thailand is most lacking, he explained.

Amornthep Chawla, chief economist at CIMB Thai Bank, stated that the country's old economy is heavily reliant on tourism and exports. Although these two industries can still propel the country forward, the pace is slow, as a result Thailand would lag behind its neighbours.

"Slow growth always means going backwards in the long run," he said.

While digital technology may eliminate some jobs, he believes that human workforce will never disappear. So, people must unlearn and relearn new skills that machines are incapable of performing. For example, while AI can analyse data and make more accurate predictions than analysts, it cannot explain those facts in a funny or interesting way as analysts.

Meanwhile, Bowornnan Thongkalaya, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce's labour and skill development committee, indicated that taking action is the best way to build a skilled workforce.

He explained that the private sector must collaborate with schools and universities to develop a formula for educating people to have skills and knowledge that meet market requirements to become a high-income country.

Besides, Thailand must prioritise encouraging a growth mindset and eagerness for lifelong learning.

"We must abandon old myths about perfect living, in which all one has to do is study, work, and retire. Our way of life should be to learn, work, live, and make positive contributions to society," Bowornnan stated.

Poonsak Koseeyaporn from the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy Office, added that merely increasing people’s income was not sufficient. Thailand must modify and update its regulations in order to keep people happy and ensure their well-being.

"The law must be strong enough to require employers to treat employees fairly while remaining flexible enough to allow employees to select benefits that meet their needs," he said.

Amornthep said that for Thailand to become a high-income country, it needed flexible labour regulations that would reward workers who kept learning and kept improving their human soft skills.