The role of e-commerce in the development of the economy in Thailand : bridging the digital devide

Abstract

Modern society has recently seen a great leap in technology which has led us into the proliferation of the Internet, the world's first global communications link-up. The Internet has opened up communications to such an extent that the term 'Globalisation' has become the catchphrase in this newly emerging environment. But how global is this 'Globalisation'? The purpose of this thesis is to show and discuss how modern how modern information technology (IT) developments have affected Thailand. There have been major advances but how have these been utilised in Thailand and what has been the result. This thesis attempts to examine the changing economy and looks at the influences both locally and globally on Thai society. It can be seen that through the Internet and its highly accountable and easily compiled statistics that certain flaws have come to light. This thesis probes these flaws in closer detail and from this it can be seen that 'Globalisation' seems to favour some more than others. The main flaw highlighted has become known as the digital divide, the gap between the 'IT haves' and the 'IT have-nots'. This 'Digital Divide' can be seen to affect Thailand in two ways. The first way is between Thailand and the industrialised world and the second is between the urban and rural populations within Thailand. This thesis puts forward the argument that the digital divide is only an extension of the gap with between the rich and the poor. By measuring this gap in these rough economic terms, in order to reduce this divide both internationally and locally the focus must be on e-commerce, trade through the Internet. The current role of e-commerce and how all sectors of society are working together are investigated in order to see just how Thailand is responding to this 'Globalisation' challenge. Thailand's current e-commerce developments are scrutinsed a little more closely to see in which areas of e-commerce would be most successful for Thailand. From this thesis it becomes clear that Thailand must continue to push forward e-commerce initiatives if it wishes to keep up with global developments