Signal Thailand seeks 'hybrid' AI governance model to become ASEAN's responsible-AI hub

Summary

Thailand's Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) hosted AI Governance Week 2026 (AIGW) in Bangkok from June 29 to July 3, drawing more than 1,000 in-person attendees and over 24,000 online, across 51 sessions with 77 speakers from 53 Thai and international organizations. Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob said Thailand is entering a phase focused less on policymaking and more on practical implementation, pursuing a "hybrid" governance framework because the region's differences in legal systems, technology, language, culture and economic structure mean ASEAN does not need one uniform law but rather space for exchange between approaches. ETDA is restructuring its AI Governance Center into an AI Governance Practice Center (AIGPC) and working toward the long-term goal of becoming a UNESCO Category 2 Center, a process expected to run through early 2028. Thailand ranked second among ASEAN nations in the Government AI Readiness Index 2025 (Oxford Insights), and its Broad Digital GDP is projected to grow 4.2% to more than THB 5.6 trillion in 2026. Separately, Thailand is pressing ahead with its first AI legislation within the current fiscal year despite warnings of adverse investment reaction, as part of its National AI Strategy and Action Plan (2022-27) to become a regional AI hub by 2027.