Category: The Bangkok Post

After five years of operation, Line BK, a pioneering digital banking platform in Thailand, continues to post solid business momentum and remains confident in its competitiveness as virtual banks prepare their functions.

Rapid expansion

Line BK is a social banking platform collaboration between Kasikornbank (KBank) and Line Corporation, launched in October 2020 with an initial focus on digital lending under a personal loan licence.

Despite launching during the pandemic, when Thailand’s GDP contracted by 6.1%, Line BK achieved 1 million users just two months after its debut.

The company serves a broad customer base, including salaried employees, freelancers, and underbanked or underserved segments who often lack formal financial statements.

“Even during the pandemic, we continued to grow our business cautiously,” said Tana Pothikamjorn, chief executive at Kasikorn Line, which operates Line BK.

By October 2021, Line BK celebrated its first anniversary with 3.4 million users. Innovative financial products and strategic partnerships have played a crucial role in fuelling Line BK’s business growth.

During its third and fourth years of operation, in 2023 and 2024, the company expanded its user base to 6 million and 7 million, respectively.

However, this growth came amid Thailand’s economic slowdown and rising household debt, posing challenges to business operations.

“Many customers had to leave our platform due to weakened debt repayment capacity,” said Mr Tana.

“We also saw a significant increase in non-performing loans [NPLs], which required more time and effort to manage.”

Keys to success

In October 2025, as Line BK marks its fifth anniversary, the platform has grown its user base to 8 million despite ongoing economic headwinds.

The majority of users are Millennials (aged 29-44), accounting for 66% of total users, followed by Gen Z (aged 13-28) at 20%, Gen X (aged 45-60) 12%, and Baby Boomers (over 60) 2%.

For its digital loan services, he said Line BK serves 855,000 borrowers with an average monthly income of between 15,000 and 30,000 baht.

The average credit line per borrower is 43,000 baht, and this segment’s risk profile is typically higher than that of traditional bank customers, said Mr Tana.

As of the first half of 2025, Line BK’s total loans outstanding tallied 24.4 billion baht, up from 17.6 billion at the end of 2024.

The company aims to expand its loan portfolio to 30 billion baht by the end of this year while keeping NPLs below 3%, despite the sluggish economy and high household debt.

“On average, we receive around 10,000 loan applications a day, reflecting strong demand amid the economic slowdown,” he said.

“We only approve about 1,000 applications or 10% daily, in line with our small scale of operations and focus on maintaining asset quality.”

Although the company has continued to expand its business and manage bad debt effectively, Mr Tana said Line BK recognises the need to strengthen its capabilities and operations in all areas — particularly in risk management, including debt collection and NPL control — to ensure long-term business sustainability.

He said the company is planning to introduce new innovative features to enhance user convenience in 2026.

The platform offers a range of financial products and services, including loans, debit cards, insurance, payments and fund transfers. Line BK also integrates with Line and KBank, delivering a more seamless and connected financial experience to users.

Ready to face new rivals

Mr Tana said Line BK has operated as a virtual bank for five years, gaining valuable experience through both favourable and challenging periods, particularly in terms of NPL management.

The company’s operations have stabilised and are expected to continue growing next year, he said.

With support from KBank, Line BK is not required to acquire deposits in the same way as the first batch of virtual banks. As a result, the company holds a competitive advantage because the cost of deposit acquisition is relatively high.

With registered capital of 10 billion baht, Line BK is well-positioned to sustain its business operations over several years, said Mr Tana.

“We are confident in our capabilities and competitiveness when new virtual banks start operations next year, even amid intensifying competition and a weaker economy,” he said.

On June 19, the Bank of Thailand announced the three successful applicants for the country’s first batch of virtual banks.

The winners are required to commence business operations within one year from the date of the Finance Ministry’s approval, which was June 19. Each licence requires initial registered capital of 5 billion baht.

The winners are: ACM Holding Co (TrueMoney), backed by the Charoen Pokphand Group; Krungthai Bank, collaborating with Advanced Info Service Plc and PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc; and the SCB X consortium, comprising SCB X (the holding company of Siam Commercial Bank), KakaoBank (South Korea’s largest digital bank), and WeBank (a global digital bank known for its advanced technology).

True Corporation Plc is the first telecom firm in Asia to launch a green financing programme, allowing its suppliers to access funding as part of its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

This recent initiative with its partners incentivises suppliers to meet future sustainability compliance requirements, enhances their sales opportunities and accelerates the development of a green ecosystem in Thailand.

True developed the programme because suppliers are crucial driving forces in reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the entire supply chain as Thailand aims to meet its sustainability goals, said Naetchanok Wipatasinlapin, head of sustainability at the company.

True committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.

True has roughly 2,000 suppliers and more than 100 have passed an environmental, social and governance standards assessment, she said.

“We found 50 of our top-tier suppliers are interested in the green financing programme,” said Ms Naetchanok.

According to a supplier survey, the top three drivers for sustainability compliance are financing, regulatory requirements and tax incentives.

Notably, financial support accounts for 50% of the motivation, highlighting its critical role in enabling suppliers to meet sustainability standards.

To address these needs, True collaborated with Pantavanij and TMBThanachart (ttb) to launch the “Green Financing Program” for the first time in Asia, she said.

This initiative aims to facilitate green financing for partners, enabling them to implement environmental and clean energy projects, as well as gain access to special loans linked to jointly defined sustainability outcomes.

“This model will not only enhance our partners’ capabilities to stay ahead of the green business transition and meet the needs of environmentally conscious consumers, but also aligns with investors’ focus on decarbonisation,” said Ms Naetchanok.

Embracing sustainability ensures regulatory compliance and helps businesses reduce long-term operational costs through energy efficiency, she said. The stance also positions enterprises to better serve environmentally conscious customers, said Ms Naetchanok.

Among True suppliers, those in the core network and infrastructure supply and service category account for 36%, and this group is the first target for green loans, she said.

Yaonicha Homesethie, head of commercial credit product management at ttb, said the bank partnered with True for financing options such as green and blue loans for long-term support of clean energy, energy efficiency, sustainable resource management and green buildings.

Another option is sustainability-linked loans, a special financing linked to a company’s sustainability performance. Meanwhile, solar engineering-procurement-construction comprehensive financing solutions offer end-to-end finance for solar energy projects.

In addition, hire-purchase financial leases are available for electric vehicles.

“We offer special interest rates under these collaborations,” Ms Yaonicha said.

Nisakorn Wanglee, deputy director of Pantavanij, said the company provides e-procurement systems to Charoen Pokphand Group and other businesses, with 300 large corporate buyers and 35,00 sellers representing a total purchasing volume of 200 billion baht and more than 3 million purchase orders.

“Our data can serve as a valuable resource for banks to assess and provide financing, helping them reduce risk exposure while supporting sustainable supply chains,” said Mr Nisakorn.

Sigve Brekke, group chief executive of True, said at the True Supplier Forum 2025 there are three necessary components for long-term business survival: company actions must benefit the country, the people and the company itself. He said True has two targets in the supply chain: zero accidents and zero emissions.

“The zero emission target is more important than bringing down the cost,” said Mr Brekke. “We can stand out in other industries by providing a template.”

Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Plc (STEC) and its subsidiary HTR Co on Monday launched a defamation complaint against People’s Party MPs Suphanat Minchaiynunt and Rukchanok Srinork, claiming their social media posts falsely implied STEC’s involvement with a scam network.

A source said a legal representative of the firm filed the complaint at Thong Lor Police Station after Mr Suphanat posted on his Facebook page on Friday, citing information from the Department of Business Development that Prince International is located at Sino-Thai Tower on Sukhumvit 21 Road (Asok).

The complaint came as STEC issued a statement addressing the claims that link the company to an alleged scammer network said to be operating from Sino-Thai Tower.

The statement referred to media reports about Prince International Co Ltd being based in Sino-Thai Tower, which had led to public speculation and the spread of inaccurate or incomplete information.

STEC, as the parent company overseeing subsidiaries including HTR Co, which manages the tower, said it has no direct or indirect connection with Prince International Co Ltd or any unlawful activities.

To protect its reputation, STEC lodged its complaint with the police and reserved the right to pursue further legal action if the statements are found to be false or violate rights and cause damage to the company.

STEC said it was fully cooperating with relevant agencies to ensure transparency and public confidence.

On Friday, Prince International, which rents space in Sino-Thai Tower, issued a statement saying that it has a lease agreement covering the period from October 2023 to September next year.

The company operates in real estate brokerage and is entirely unrelated to Cambodia’s Prince Holding Group, which is allegedly involved in online cryptocurrency investment scams.

Prince Holding’s founder and chairman, Chinese-born British-Cambodian tycoon Chen Zhi, 38, was indicted in a Brooklyn federal court on Oct 14 on charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.

His bitcoin and assets have been frozen by the United Kingdom and the United States.

The statement also said that Prince International has never conducted any illegal business activities and that its operation is based on transparency and the law.

The Electronic Transactions Development Agency (Etda) is conducting a study into efforts to govern the gross profit (GP) fee charged by digital platforms, having been assigned this task by Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Chaichanok Chidchob.

Chaichana Mitrpant, executive director of Etda, said the agency would explore two potential methods to oversee the GP fee with the Trade Competition Commission of Thailand.

The first question relates to whether Etda’s electronic transaction committee has the legal authority to set the GP rate. The trade commission also plans to evaluate whether it is empowered to govern the GP rate.

Both agencies plan to work together more closely to establish guidelines to govern the GP fee, he said.

Mr Chaichanok said earlier he wanted to address alleged monopolisation of the online delivery business by foreign e-commerce platforms, with the aim of benefiting consumers.

The DES Ministry also plans to push for digital platforms to adopt a lower GP rate.

Some e-commerce platforms have already expressed their intention to participate in talks on the GP issue, said Mr Chaichanok.

In a related matter, Mr Chaichana said the ministry asked Etda to monitor enforcement of the law governing online ride-hailing platforms, which took effect on Oct 2.

Etda is asking platform operators to review limitations in the law as it seeks ways to help them fully comply with the regulations.

He said the ministry has many bills it plans to push for cabinet consideration, including the draft of the Digital Platform Economy Act. This new law is meant to support social and economic development, as well as increase public confidence in the electronic data system and prevent potential damage to the public.

The draft sets out duties for digital platforms according to their type and size to protect consumers, ensure fair competition and encourage their self-regulation in accordance with the principles of good governance.

Bhumjaithai Party candidate Wisuda Vicheansil, 31, won Sunday’s by-election in Kanchanaburi province with 53,542 votes, comfortably defeating Shinawat Maendet, 67, of the Pheu Thai Party, who received 36,521 votes.

The by-election was organised in Constituency 4 on Sunday. It happened because Sakda Vicheansil, Ms Wisuda’s father, resigned from Pheu Thai to join the ruling Bhumjaithai Party. Mr Sakda is a deputy interior minister.

In the Sunday’s by-election, 96,058 people cast their votes and constituted 72% of eligible voters in the constituency which covers Bo Phloi, Nong Prue, Huay Krachao and Lao Khwan districts.

Late last month Bhumjaithai easily won a by-election in Si Sa Ket province.

People’s Party (PP) MPs have questioned influencer Guntouch Pongpaiboonwet’s use of a Ministry of Agriculture helicopter to deliver flood relief.

On Sept 26, 2024, Gun Jompalang boarded a helicopter of the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation to deliver food supplies to flood victims and residents cut off by damaged roads in Wiang Pa Pao district, Chiang Rai.

The controversy arose after Narongdet Urankul, a party-list MP for the PP, posted images of a helicopter on Facebook, explaining the five primary functions of the Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Department under the ministry.

He said any mission outside the main plan must be authorised by the minister.

He would ask which operations had been commissioned by the minister, and whether private individuals were able to use state-owned choppers.

The post drew attention from fellow People’s Party MP Rukchanok Srinork who asked, “Is this the same helicopter that Guntouch used?” tagging him directly to request clarity.

Mr Guntough said he would explain the matter on Monday.

“I have arranged to respond on a pre-recorded TV programme. This avoids unnecessary back-and-forth disputes and ensures transparency,” he said. “If people want to help monitor, I welcome it. It gives me a chance to demonstrate clearly what I have done and to show that there is nothing to hide.”

Guntouch has come under fire for his campaign to blast creepy sounds through loudspeakers at Cambodians living along the border, as part of a nationalistic campaign which also draws on financial support from his charitable foundation to help locals affected by the border row.

Beyond the helicopter issue, Guntouch continues local development work. “The road project in Ban Nong Ya Kaeo has reached 80% completion,” he said.

“Mutual understanding and lawful procedures are key. I am committed to safe initiatives that benefit the community, and I hope our work can serve the public effectively.”

True Corporation Plc is the first telecom firm in Asia to launch a green financing programme, allowing its suppliers to access funding as part of its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

This recent initiative with its partners incentivises suppliers to meet future sustainability compliance requirements, enhances their sales opportunities and accelerates the development of a green ecosystem in Thailand.

True developed the programme because suppliers are crucial driving forces in reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the entire supply chain as Thailand aims to meet its sustainability goals, said Naetchanok Wipatasinlapin, head of sustainability at the company.

True committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.

True has roughly 2,000 suppliers and more than 100 have passed an environmental, social and governance standards assessment, she said.

“We found 50 of our top-tier suppliers are interested in the green financing programme,” said Ms Naetchanok.

According to a supplier survey, the top three drivers for sustainability compliance are financing, regulatory requirements and tax incentives.

Notably, financial support accounts for 50% of the motivation, highlighting its critical role in enabling suppliers to meet sustainability standards.

To address these needs, True collaborated with Pantavanij and TMBThanachart (ttb) to launch the “Green Financing Program” for the first time in Asia, she said.

This initiative aims to facilitate green financing for partners, enabling them to implement environmental and clean energy projects, as well as gain access to special loans linked to jointly defined sustainability outcomes.

“This model will not only enhance our partners’ capabilities to stay ahead of the green business transition and meet the needs of environmentally conscious consumers, but also aligns with investors’ focus on decarbonisation,” said Ms Naetchanok.

Embracing sustainability ensures regulatory compliance and helps businesses reduce long-term operational costs through energy efficiency, she said. The stance also positions enterprises to better serve environmentally conscious customers, said Ms Naetchanok.

Among True suppliers, those in the core network and infrastructure supply and service category account for 36%, and this group is the first target for green loans, she said.

Yaonicha Homesethie, head of commercial credit product management at ttb, said the bank partnered with True for financing options such as green and blue loans for long-term support of clean energy, energy efficiency, sustainable resource management and green buildings.

Another option is sustainability-linked loans, a special financing linked to a company’s sustainability performance. Meanwhile, solar engineering-procurement-construction comprehensive financing solutions offer end-to-end finance for solar energy projects.

In addition, hire-purchase financial leases are available for electric vehicles.

“We offer special interest rates under these collaborations,” Ms Yaonicha said.

Nisakorn Wanglee, deputy director of Pantavanij, said the company provides e-procurement systems to Charoen Pokphand Group and other businesses, with 300 large corporate buyers and 35,00 sellers representing a total purchasing volume of 200 billion baht and more than 3 million purchase orders.

“Our data can serve as a valuable resource for banks to assess and provide financing, helping them reduce risk exposure while supporting sustainable supply chains,” said Mr Nisakorn.

Sigve Brekke, group chief executive of True, said at the True Supplier Forum 2025 there are three necessary components for long-term business survival: company actions must benefit the country, the people and the company itself. He said True has two targets in the supply chain: zero accidents and zero emissions.

“The zero emission target is more important than bringing down the cost,” said Mr Brekke. “We can stand out in other industries by providing a template.”

Many traditional performances have lost popularity because they fail to adapt with the times. Molam is an excellent example of an Isan performing art that has incorporated modern features with traditional characteristics and remains popular today.

The vibe of molam performances, including lighting, music and staging, was recreated in a for an art exhibition titled “Mor Thee Dee Kue Molam [The Movement Of Molam]” at MMAD – MunMun Art Destination, Seacon Srinakarin. Pitsawat Wannafoo, the exhibition curator, revealed the reason he organised this exhibition is because there has never been an art show about molam before.

“I am from Lampang and first heard of molam when I was a university student in Bangkok. I had many Isan friends who often listened to molam which gradually led me to become more familiar with it and enjoy it,” explained Pitsawat.

“MMAD – MunMun Art Destination briefed me that they wanted an art exhibition that had never been created before. The exhibition was supposed to be fun and accessible to everyone, so I chose to work on content that I like and it became this.

“The exhibition does not focus on research or informative content. It presents the culture of molam from the perspective of outsiders. It focuses only on elements of molam performance, such as light and sound. The audience will not see a molam stage at the exhibition, but feel the mood, melody and lights of molam through various shapes and movements which create interaction with the audience.”

There are three parts to the exhibition. The first displays the kinetic sculpture titled Fawn created by artist Wit Pimkanchanapong. The second part is a stage design exhibition featuring steel scaffolding with LED lights and background music performed by Paradise Bangkok and Plern Vern. The final part displays photos taken by photographers Kanyarat Mongkol, Sarunthorn Chatulaksameepat and Mok Lachantra.

Wit’s first kinetic sculpture titled Myyarab was displayed in the hall of Bangkok Art and Culture Centre in 2008. The exhibition space at MMAD reminded Wit of that hall, so he decided to remaster Myyarab to Fawn, or Myyarab v3. Unlike Myyarab, Fawn, which refers to specific dance postures, conveys the message of cultural movement through the lights, colours and lines of the sculpture that sway and twist to reflect the story of molam as a performing art that is constantly evolving.

“Myyarab is entirely electric and programmable. Without electronic motion control, Fawn has switched to a pulley system with a single motor in the centre that pulls a rope, which then continues to pull in a spiral loop. Using the mechanism is something I had wanted to work on for a long time. The pulley system is a very basic mechanism, but it takes a lot of time to practice and learn,” explained Wit.

“The moving parts of Myyarab were painted wooden panels, but Fawn has fluorescent lights instead. These fluorescent lights are considered local products since they are easy to purchase on digital shopping platforms.

“My colleague who is a university lecturer in textiles told me that Fawn’s rope control system resembles a loom. This made me want to explore more about weaving to learn more techniques. Fawn was like my technical breakthrough. I will create works with more techniques like this in the future.”

For the second part, steel scaffolding is used because it is part of contemporary molam stage design. LED light effects were designed to sync with musical rhythms. When entering the area, visitors will hear music recorded by Paradise Bangkok and Plern Vern.

Paradise Bangkok is a molam international band which combines traditional Thai music with modern influences. The group has gained international recognition and performed at international music festivals including Glastonbury in the UK, Fuji Rock in Japan and Fusion Festival in Germany.

Plern Vern consists of two multimedia artists who have a special interest in the sounds of Isan culture, media art and electronic music.

“The background music of the exhibition are six songs chosen from Paradise Bangkok’s debut album 21st Century Molam. I personally like Paradise Bangkok; I have listened to their music since their debut. 21st Century Molam was their most successful album which played a crucial role in helping the group to perform at international music festivals,” explained Pitsawat.

The two members of Plern Vern are friends who grew up with Isan culture, so they use khaen, an Isan mouth organ, or other Isan instruments to compose their music. They created a special song for this exhibition.

The final section showcases photographs taken by Kanyarat Mongkol, Sarunthorn Chatulaksameepat and Mok Lachantra.

Kanyarat is a documentary photographer who showcases the collection Na Han (In Front Of The Performance Stage), which conveys the beauty and realities of molam bands. Photographs reveal both front and backstage scenes.

Sarunthorn displays the collection Mor Lam And The Tootsies which follows the life of an LGBTI singer in a molam band. It shows that the band is a workplace with gender diversity and an LGBTI individual brings colour to performances.

Mok presents his collection Muan Juat (Totally Fun) which focuses on concertgoers. Mok captured audiences’ reactions to a performance of Rabieb Watasilp, a well-known molam group. Though it was raining, nobody left; concertgoers waited until the rain stopped to enjoy the performance. Mok said the atmosphere was fun and relaxing. It was the first time that he saw a concertgoer bring fresh vegetables to eat with sausage and dip.

When asked how molam maintains its popularity with the changing times, Pitsawat said it adapts with cultural development.

“Molam music does not have a limited format. Musicians can take the sound of Isan instruments and mix them with contemporary music. For example, when Paradise Bangkok performed at various festivals, they took the sound of the khaen and the phin and mixed it with contemporary sounds. Moreover, Plern Vern creates art pieces by taking Isan melodies and mixing them with electronic sounds.”

As exhibition curator, Pitsawat hopes that visitors will feel and move along to the rhythms of molam.

“I do not expect people to understand the concept or meaning of each artwork. I hope they enjoy molam music, the rhythm of rotating and blinking lights. I hope that when they hear molam, they move their hands, feet or sway along with the rhythm.”

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has hired superstar Lisa — Lalisa Manobal — as a tourism ambassador for 12 months. The move clearly illustrates the country’s attempt to regain the tourist momentum, which has been lost in recent months.

Thailand has already been dethroned by Vietnam for the first time as the favourite destination for Chinese travellers to Southeast Asia. Neighbouring Malaysia is also emerging as a strong contender to attract more tourists.

The kingdom continues to struggle with a tourism hangover caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. It has yet to reach the figures seen before the outbreak, when the nation welcomed nearly 40 million foreign arrivals — the largest proportion of them Chinese.

The struggle persists this year, although more Chinese tourists visited the kingdom during the recently concluded Golden Week than expected.

Thailand recorded 24 million foreign arrivals in the first nine months of this year, a 7.5% drop from the same period last year, says the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

“Collaborating with Lisa as Amazing Thailand Ambassador marks another significant milestone in presenting the charm, diversity and wonders of Thailand from a fresh perspective,” boasted TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool.

“Lisa is one of Thailand’s greatest sources of pride,” the tourism chief added.

That is how Thailand presents itself to tourists: come here and enjoy tom yum kung and other dishes, magnificent temples, stunning beaches and more. These messages have been repeated time and again, yet the number of holidaymakers has not returned to pre-pandemic levels.

The decline in popularity is not because Thai soup has lost its spicy kick, temples have become monotonous, or beaches have lost their allure.

The sharp drop in tourist numbers — especially among Chinese visitors — is largely due to concerns over personal safety in vehicles, at sea and on the streets.

Thailand is notorious for its high rate of road accidents; World Health Organization statistics bear this out. Maritime safety fares no better.

One of the most tragic incidents occurred in July 2018, when the Phoenix tour boat sank off Phuket, claiming the lives of 46 snorkellers. Accidents involving buses, vans and boats with tourists aboard happen regularly, often due to reckless driving and poor safety standards.

Perhaps the gravest concern is for the safety of life itself. The sharp decline in Chinese visitors this year was triggered by the abduction of actor Wang Xing in January, who was kidnapped and trafficked to an online scam centre in Myanmar.

The incident sent shockwaves through China, prompting many would-be tourists to reconsider travelling to Thailand. The fear is that they could be abducted and trafficked upon arrival at a Thai airport.

In August, two Malaysian tourists were set on fire by an unemployed security guard on a street in downtown Bangkok. While the incident may have been unpredictable, it underscored the perception that danger can strike anywhere, at any time.

Thailand has yet to implement serious measures to reassure tourists that their safety is a priority — whether walking the streets or travelling by boat or bus. Visitors also risk being overcharged by unscrupulous taxi or tuk-tuk drivers.

Official responses to such incidents are often limited to apologies and the occasional bouquet of flowers for hospitalised victims, accompanied by empty promises.

This lack of action is unsurprising, given the risks faced by citizens themselves. Travelling along Rama II Road is a case in point — drivers never know when a brick or part of a pedestrian bridge might fall onto their vehicles.

One day, this could happen to a bus full of tourists en route to the beaches of the central or southern provinces. Fortunately, it hasn’t happened yet.

The TAT is enthusiastic about using Lisa to restore Thailand’s top-tier tourism status and attract new visitors. But unless Thailand addresses its safety shortcomings, even a dozen Lisas won’t be enough.

Thailand is embarking on an ambitious effort to raise the performance of its students in the global education rankings by integrating artificial intelligence into classrooms. The reform aims to reverse years of academic decline and prepare students for a rapidly changing digital world.

In the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to test the reading literacy, mathematics, and science skills of 15-year-olds in over 65 countries, students in Thailand scored less than the OECD average.

The national results, also lower than those from the last assessment in 2018, underscored weaknesses in the education system and the urgent need for new, technology-driven learning models, critics said.

The next four years will be critical, authorities say, as Thailand prepares for the generation born in 2025, who are expected to grow up with AI-supported learning from an early age.

The Bureau of Academic Affairs and Educational Standards (BAAES), under the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec), is leading the effort to bring AI into classrooms nationwide.

Bangkok in pole position

Bangkok deputy governor Sanon Wangsrangboon said schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) have been transforming digitally for more than three years.

Speaking to the Bangkok Post recently, Mr Sanon said the work requires not just funding but clear policies on responsible technology use and long-term planning.

By the end of this year, he said, every Prathom 6 (Grade 4) student across 437 BMA schools will have access to their own computer for the first time.

He said pilot projects in six schools using AI-powered learning showed a marked improvement in student engagement, with many of the students arriving at the school early and staying late to continue lessons.

To improve English proficiency, seen as essential for global competitiveness, the BMA has launched a citywide strategy combining technology, teacher training, and student development.

In partnership with education startup Edsy and SVOA Public Co Ltd, the BMA introduced Edsy AI Coach, an intelligent platform that helps students practice English pronunciation and grammar.

“Hiring native English teachers is costly and not always possible,” Mr Sanon said, adding that AI helps enable personalised learning in large classes.

Last year’s report from pilot schools found that students improved fluency by 10%, language accuracy by 14%, and pronunciation by 12% within two months, he said.

Encouraged by the results, the project has now been expanded to 136 schools in its first phase and will soon cover all BMA schools.

Smarter learning

At the national level, BAAES has developed AI-based teaching materials and handbooks for teachers and students.

More than 60,000 students and 700 pilot schools have taken part in training programmes, helping build early AI literacy among young learners. “Teaching with AI reduces teacher workload and personalises instruction,” said Eakasit Piyasangtong, director of BAAES.

“We’ve partnered with Google, Microsoft, and other global organisations to use tools such as Gemini, Chattivity, Deepseek, and Leonardo. More than two million educators have already participated in AI-related training.”

The Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) is also promoting digital ethics through its Digital Citizen Plus curriculum. The programme helps teachers develop “digital intelligence”, ensuring that students learn to use technology safely, responsibly, and creatively.

Globally, 97% of students are exposed to AI in some form, but more than half pursue AI learning independently. Mr Eakasit said Thailand’s strategy aims to close this gap through structured classroom programmes and comprehensive teacher training.

The World Bank has observed that Thailand’s investment in innovation and future skills remains lower than that of countries like South Korea or Vietnam. “Thailand has begun moving toward innovation and creativity, even developing its own innovation index — one of the few countries to do so,” said Melinda Good, the World Bank’s Division Director for Thailand and Myanmar.

“But greater investment in innovation and education beyond the basics is essential,” she said.

Mr Eakasit noted that Thailand’s cultural diversity and creative traditions give it an edge in developing AI learning models suited to local needs. “AI can support not only STEM education but also arts and problem-solving,” he said. “Students can combine technology with traditional skills to create original, high-quality work.”

AI learning now begins as early as kindergarten and continues through secondary school, teaching students to use AI tools, recognise their influence, and think critically about ethical implications.

With nearly 60,000 students and 700 schools already engaged, Thailand’s foundation in AI literacy is growing steadily. The next phase, Mr Eakasit said, will focus on building a full AI ecosystem, from access to devices and local data centres to research hubs and ethics education.

“Thailand’s long-term goal,” he concluded, “is to move beyond being an AI consumer and become an AI innovator”.