Thailand 4.0: The Emergence of Digital Media to Empower Civil Rights or the Device of the Junta-Led Government to Control Citizens?

The term of “Digital Economy” is not only a policy buzzword for many countries around the world, but also a tool for governmental control over citizens. In Thailand, the military-junta government has recently introduced the digital economy as a new policy in 2017. In 2016, Thailand’s National Legislative Assembly, whose members have been appointed by the military government, unanimously approved legislation establishing a new Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) in the country (BANGKOK POST, June 3, 2016). This administrative change is part of a broad, multi-year initiative undertaken by the government to establish a digital economy in Thailand and transform the country into a digital society, known as Thailand 4.0. The concept of Digital Economy will be implemented over a 20-year period, in four phases: establishment of the digital foundation, entry into a digital economy and society through the participation of all sectors, attainment of the full potential for reform for a “Digital Thailand,” and application of digital technology to upgrade Thailand to a developed economy (Royal Thai Government website) To implement “Digital Thailand” policy, six strategies include creation of a digital infrastructure across the country; acceleration of the economy by driving it with the use of digital technology; creation of a digital society; switching of the public sector to a digital government; development of a workforce ready for the digital era; and creation of public confidence in the use of digital technology (Digital Thailand 2016, MDES). As part of the plan, the government proposed adoption and amendment of eight items of legislation including such bills as Computer-Related Crime Bill, Cybersecurity Bill. Six civil organizations had issued a joint statement criticizing the Cabinet’s approval of the eight items of legislation on the digital economy, contending that they are “national security bills in disguise” and “will pave the way for a state monopoly of the telecommunication business.” (Thai Junta’s Digital Economy Bills Are National Security Bills in Disguise: Rights Groups, PRACHATAI (Jan. 14, 2015). Based on information acquired from government documents and interviews of key policy makers and media experts, the research explores the role of the government in using digital media to promote digital citizenship, and how the digital media will be used to regulate civilians under the junta-led government. First, the study examines how the use of digital media can contribute to promoting digital citizenship from a rights-based perspectives in order to determine whether or not digital citizenship education is a key component to building a strong digital economy and safe and secure online environment. Second, the study examines key elements of digital citizenship through the use of media for digital literacy and political engagement. The result can explain tension between the government and its citizens, the use of digital media for political engagement, interventions that support the government control, and factors that potentially lead to civic resistance both online and offline.