logo
An intelligent approach to AI governance

An intelligent approach to AI governance

Bangkok Post27-06-2025
Thailand has drafted principles for artificial intelligence (AI) legislation as it seeks to establish an AI ecosystem and widen adoption.
The Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) recently completed an online public hearing on the draft and plans to submit it for cabinet consideration by the end of July.
How was Thailand's AI regulatory framework developed?
Sak Segkhoonthod, senior advisor at ETDA, said enforcement of AI rules thus far has been based on soft laws or guidelines. An AI law is needed to help Thailand efficiently deal with the impacts of the evolving technology, he said.
Since 2022, Thailand has studied global models, especially the EU's AI Act, and introduced two draft laws: one focused on regulating AI-enabled business services, and another on promoting AI innovation. These two draft laws will be combined to form the basis of the AI law.
Both drafts adopted a risk-based framework, classifying AI systems into prohibited, high risk and general use categories.
ETDA took the lead in promoting AI governance rules, proposing four tiers. The first tier recommends Thailand work with other countries to enhance its global position in AI governance. The country also embraces Unesco's principles to advance AI governance, in line with international ethical standards.
The second tier involves the concept of sectoral regulators overseeing policies in their respective areas.
The third tier focuses on corporate implementation, where organisations adopt practical tools, guidelines and frameworks. ETDA already launched the AI Governance Guidelines for Executives and the Generative AI Governance Guideline for Organisations.
"We have plans to release up to 50 guidelines or tools or checklists, including on AI procurement, job redesign and AI readiness assessment to assist organisations' in their AI transformation," said Mr Sak.
The fourth tier promotes AI literacy at the individual level.
What are the benefits of the AI law?
He said the legislation aims to provide protection to users from potential AI risks, establish governance rules and remove legal barriers that existing laws cannot address, unlocking broader AI adoption.
For example, the Transport Ministry's current regulations do not support the deployment of autonomous vehicles, as they were not designed to address an unmanned system.
"The new AI law will support innovations," said Mr Sak.
Having a dedicated AI law will help Thailand efficiently remove regulatory hurdles, he said. Relevant agencies can quickly develop their own organic AI laws based on the main law.
The new law should also support tech entrepreneurs in testing AI in a controlled setting or regulatory sandbox, as well as in real world conditions, he said.
The draft should permit the use of previously collected personal data, originally gathered for other purposes, in the development or testing of AI systems intended for public benefit, conducted under strict conditions, said Mr Sak.
"By providing legal clarity and confidence, the law will encourage broader AI adoption across sectors through a combination of contextualised use of AI, sector-specific oversight and a common governance framework, ensuring consistency and minimising regulatory conflicts between different domains," he said.
For example, using AI to monitor student behaviour may raise ethical concerns and be inappropriate in some contexts. In contrast, applying AI to monitor driver behaviour is essential to ensure passenger safety, said Mr Sak.
What are the principles in the draft?
The principles focus on supervising AI risks. Legal recognition should be granted to actions and outcomes produced by AI, and such recognition should not be denied solely because no human directly intervened unless there is a specific clause to allow the denial of such legal recognition, he said.
As AI is a human-controlled tool, all actions and outcomes derived from AI must remain attributable to humans, said Mr Sak.
Individuals may be legally exempt from acts or contracts generated by AI in cases where the party responsible for the AI could not have reasonably foreseen the AI's behaviour, and the other party was aware -- or should have reasonably been aware -- that such actions were unforeseeable to the responsible party, according to the draft.
He said the law will not define a list of prohibited or high-risk AI applications, instead empowering sectoral regulators to define these lists based on their domain expertise.
The draft proposed the providers of AI services are bound by duty of care to adopt risk management rules based on global guidelines and best practices.
Overseas-based companies that provide AI services in Thailand will be required to set up legal representatives in the country. Law enforcement agencies can issue orders to stop AI service providers or users of AI from providing services or using AI, according to the draft.
Companies that use AI to generate content are expected to label it or adopt relevant methods to inform consumers.
Which authority oversees AI law enforcement?
ETDA's AI Governance Center (AIGC) is expected to coordinate with related parties on law enforcement.
The existing regulators in all sectors will define and enforce rules for high-risk AI in their domains, according to the draft.
Under the AI law, two key committees will be established, with the regulator committee responsible for issuing practical frameworks and setting policies in coordination with the sectoral regulators.
The expertise committee is tasked with monitoring and evaluating emerging AI risks to ensure timely and informed regulatory responses.
What do companies think of the draft?
Mr Sak said as of June 20, 80 organisations including Google and Microsoft submitted feedback during the recent public hearing.
The majority praised the draft for striking a balance between prohibiting harmful uses and promoting innovation.
However, some feedback raised concerns on whether sectoral regulators will be ready to efficiently supervise AI.
In addition, the issue of AI sovereignty was highlighted, including the risk that foreign generative AI models may provide incomplete or inaccurate responses to users related to Thailand, due to limited local data representation.
"We are considering the development of common benchmarking guidelines for privately owned large language models in the Thai language," he said.
Ratanaphon Wongnapachant, chief executive of SIAM.AI CLOUD, welcomed the AI legislation, calling it a timely step to prevent misuse and enforce responsible AI practices, particularly in sensitive sectors.
Pochara Arayakarnkul, chief executive of Bluebik Group, expressed concern over the definition of AI in the upcoming legislation. He said if the definition is too broad, it could have far-reaching implications. Conversely, a narrow definition may fail to cover emerging risks.
AI governance must go beyond a single risk dimension as each industry adopts AI in fundamentally different ways, with varying degrees of risk depending on how mature the technology is, said Mr Pochara.
"The implications span multiple dimensions, from transparency and accountability to operational reliability," he said.
Touchapon Kraisingkorn, head of AI Labs at Amity Group, proposed establishing objective, easy-to-understand criteria for defining high-risk and prohibited AI, using metrics such as the number of users, impact on fundamental rights or the monetary value of potential damages.
"This would promote uniform interpretation across the private sector and reduce the discretionary burden on regulators," he said.
Mr Touchapon also proposed a tiered compliance framework for small and medium-sized enterprises based on their size, as determined by revenue and employee count.
He said this mechanism should be independent of a company's age, allowing startups the space to innovate before taking on the full scope of regulatory responsibilities as they mature.
Moreover, a formal certification programme for "AI auditors" should be developed, complemented by the promotion of open-source tools for model clarity and risk assessment to ensure both industry and government have the necessary talent and tools to comply with new standards, said Mr Touchapon.
"We strongly recommend an 'AI incident portal', which is a public, anonymised repository of AI system failures and rights violations that would be an invaluable resource, enabling all parties to learn and adapt quickly. This fosters a necessary culture of transparency and trust in AI systems," he said.
For labelling or watermarking AI-generated content, Mr Touchapon recommended a phased approach, starting with a voluntary programme to assess its effectiveness before mandating a general requirement. This strategy allows for a timely response to deepfakes and misinformation without placing a premature or excessive burden on the industry, he said.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

NCSA boosts cyber defence amid rising border tensions
NCSA boosts cyber defence amid rising border tensions

Bangkok Post

timea day ago

  • Bangkok Post

NCSA boosts cyber defence amid rising border tensions

The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) is reinforcing the resilience of critical infrastructure in preparation for potential cyberattacks, while the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) has warned against artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes in information warfare—particularly amid escalating tensions at the Thailand-Cambodia border. NCSA has increased preparations for critical infrastructure—mainly in energy, telecom, finance and electricity—to prevent cyber warfare amid the rising tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, AVM Amorn Chomchoey, NCSA secretary-general, told the Bangkok Post on Thursday. 'We will closely monitor the situation with relevant agencies on a 24/7 basis, as the alert level has been raised from Yellow to Red,' said AVM Amorn. He added that the agency has stepped up preparations over the past two months, as several Cambodia-based hacker groups have allegedly engaged in periodic cyber warfare and disinformation campaigns. Moreover, AI-generated deepfake images are being used to fabricate scenes of a Thai F-16 jet being shot down, aiming to boost the morale of Cambodian soldiers. Sak Segkhoonthod, senior advisor of ETDA, warned media and online users to verify information before sharing during this intense period. In another development, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) ordered mobile phone service operators to increase cellular signal strength along the Thailand-Cambodia border to a normal level to support military communications in the area, according to Trairat Viriyasirikul, NBTC acting secretary-general. Earlier, the NBTC had directed telecom operators to reduce signal strength in the region to prevent cross-border signal spillover, which could be exploited for cybercrime or by call centre scams.

Panel, agencies seek biometric guidelines
Panel, agencies seek biometric guidelines

Bangkok Post

time2 days ago

  • Bangkok Post

Panel, agencies seek biometric guidelines

The Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) convened with related public and private agencies to seek ways to establish clearer guidelines to regulate the collection and use of biometric data, particularly iris scans, over concerns pertaining to the use of personal data. This follows widespread public participation in an iris scan activity carried out by Tools For Humanity Thailand in exchange for digital asset rewards as part of a campaign. Pol Col Suraphong Plengkham, secretary-general of the PDPC, said the eye scanning campaign raised concerns as to whether the data collected could be misused or whether or not the campaign complied with the law. The committee early this week invited key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, including Tools For Humanity Thailand, to jointly establish regulatory guidelines on this matter. Participating agencies included the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA), the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, the Department of Special Investigation and National Telecom. Representatives from the private sector included TIDC Worldverse Co Ltd, M Vision Plc, Bitkub Online Co Ltd, Com7 Plc and J.I.B. Computer Group Co Ltd. The use of biometric data from iris scans is classified as sensitive personal data under Section 26 of the Personal Data Protection Act. The meeting concluded that the PDPC will examine the company's process of requesting consent from the owners of the personal data regarding the iris scans to ensure transparency. The ETDA will verify whether the company's app is legally registered, while the SEC will investigate whether foreign apps are being used to generate income within Thailand's financial system. DATA 'NOT STORED IN APP' Pakapol Thangtongchin, country manager of Tools For Humanity Thailand, told the Bangkok Post that the company provided an update on its local operations during the meeting. He told the meeting that the company does not verify "identities" but rather provides "proof of humanity", meaning retina data is not stored in the company's app. The PDPC also requested additional documents from the company to conduct an in-depth technical review, Mr Pakapol added. The SEC wishes to ascertain whether the company's Worldcoin cryptocurrency has been traded legally. Mr Pakapol confirmed that the company trades the coins within five licensed cryptocurrency exchanges in Thailand. The ETDA is concerned about mini apps within the company's app ecosystem, particularly those related to financial services, which may not be authorised in Thailand. "We will closely monitor and address any regulatory concerns," Mr Pakapol added. He also noted that the rising value of cryptocurrencies and current economic challenges have led to an increasing amount of public interest in applying for the company's World app in order to receive free Worldcoin in exchange for having an eye scan. Currently, 10,000 people a week have been getting their eyes scanned via its Orb devices in public locations. However, he warned that some unauthorised individuals may engage in illegal activities, such as in-person meetups to exchange digital assets for cash outside the authorised exchanges. "We will educate our coin users on how to use the wallet properly and encourage them to trade only through authorised exchanges," he said. He said that before operating in Thailand, the company had already sought consultations with three regulators as to whether its service is legitimate or complies with the law.

Asian shares rise with upbeat data from US
Asian shares rise with upbeat data from US

Bangkok Post

time7 days ago

  • Bangkok Post

Asian shares rise with upbeat data from US

RECAP: Asian stocks advanced as a global rally gained vigour on strong economic data that eased concerns about the US economy. Regional investors also believe central banks may do more to cushion tariff-related pressure on economic growth. The SET recorded its best week of the year, finishing above 1,200 points, fuelled by hopes that Thailand would get a better tariff deal from the US and a new central bank governor will ease monetary policy. The Thai index moved in a range of 1,121.64 and 1,210.01 points this week, before closing on Friday at 1,206.58, up 7.6% from the previous week, with daily turnover averaging 50.39 billion baht. Institutional investors were net buyers of 5.09 billion baht, followed by foreign investors at 3.75 billion and brokerage firms at 183.40 million. Retail investors were net sellers of 9.02 billion baht. NEWSMAKERS: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto hailed a "new era" of trade relations with the United States, after President Donald Trump said he had slashed the country's tariff rate from 32% to 19%. Jakarta has agreed to erase all duties on US imports and buy $19 billion worth of American products including 50 Boeing jets. Trump is threatening 30% tariffs on the EU and Mexico if no new trade agreements can be reached by Aug 1. He said the EU had missed previous opportunities when the US offered to reduce tariffs to 10%. He also hinted at announcing tariff rates on pharmaceutical products in late July. The EU is preparing to retaliate against US tariffs with $84 billion worth of measures covering industrial and agricultural products including aircraft, automobiles and Bourbon whiskey. Trump said he is not planning to fire Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell, but he kept the door open to the possibility as he renewed his criticism of the central bank chief for not lowering interest rates. US inflation climbed more than expected to 2.7% in June, from 2.4% in May, signalling that tariffs are hitting prices. New York Fed president John Williams estimates tariffs will add 1% to inflation between now and the middle of 2026. China's economy exceeded expectations in the second quarter with GDP expanding 5.2% from a year earlier. However, investors are bracing for a weaker second half as exports lose momentum, prices continue to fall and consumer confidence remains low. China's exports in June grew more than expected by 5.8%, driven by accelerated shipments before US tariff measures take effect on Aug 1. Exports to Thailand and Vietnam showed the highest growth. Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc has abandoned its $45.8-billion bid to buy Seven & i Holdings, saying the Japanese 7-Eleven operator had refused "meaningful engagement". Shares of the Japanese retailer plunged 9.6% on the news. Japan's exports fell for a second month, edging down 0.5% in June from a year earlier, dragged down by sharp falls in the value of car and steel shipments. A record 21.5 million tourists visited Japan in the first six months of the year, a 21% increase year-on-year, official figures showed. China's cabinet has pledged to regulate what it called "irrational" competition in the country's EV industry, vowing to strengthen cost investigation and price monitoring. The Chinese automaker Geely will acquire all shares in the EV maker Zeekr that it does not already own for $2.4 billion, the companies said on Tuesday. Tesla opened its first showroom in India on Tuesday, marking its entry into the world's most populous country, as the EV maker seeks new customers amid sagging sales in the US and Europe. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) expects sales growth of about 30% in US dollar terms this year, after net profit for the three months to June soared 60.7% from a year ago to $13.6 billion. Nvidia Corp plans to resume sales of its H20 AI chip in China after securing Washington's assurances that such shipments would get approved. Malaysia has issued rules controlling exports of high-performance AI chips originating from the US to third countries. The Vietnamese government says it is targeting GDP growth of between 8.3% and 8.5% this year. Thailand expects the US to reduce a threatened tariff from 36% to a level in line with regional neighbours after seeing a "very substantial improvement" in talks on Thursday, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said. The offer is said to include a reduction to zero of Thai tariffs on 90% of US goods. The cabinet on Tuesday is expected to make a final decision on the new Bank of Thailand (BoT) governor, as the finance minister did not submit his recommendation in time for last Tuesday's meeting. Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra suggested the country create a golden visa scheme for wealthy foreigners to become long-term residents and called on Airports of Thailand to hike passenger service fees to boost the sluggish economy. The Securities and Exchange Commission and the BoT are planning a trial programme that will allow foreigners to exchange cryptocurrencies for baht to spend in Thailand, aiming to stimulate tourism. Foreign arrivals to Thailand from Jan 1 to July 13 were down 5.6% from the same period last year, to 17.75 million, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports said. The Bank of Thailand has cut its arrivals forecast this year to 35 million from 37.5 million. The Industrial Sentiment Index (ICI) fell for a fourth straight month in June, hitting a 9-month low of 87.7, due to worries over US tariffs, the Federation of Thai Industries said. The Thai Retailers Association said its Retailer Confidence Index in June fell to a 42-month low amid fragile consumer purchasing power and delayed business investment. COMING UP: On Monday, the Bank of Canada releases a business outlook survey. On Tuesday, Fed chairman Jerome Powell speaks, and on Wednesday the US announces existing home sales. On Thursday, the European Central Bank announces a rate decision and the US updates manufacturing data and new home sales. On Friday, the US reports durable goods orders and Russia announces a rate decision. STOCKS TO WATCH: Asia Plus Securities expects the Bank of Thailand will cut interest rates once or twice more by year-end to mitigate the negative impact of US tariffs. It recommends rate-sensitive stocks and high-dividend plays, such as TIDLOR, MTC, SAWAD, KKP, TISCO and SPALI. Defensive stocks, such as hospital operators BDMS, BH and BCH are also a good option. Looking at Thai-US trade talks, the best-case scenario is a tariff rate of 18–20%. This could lower input costs and benefit companies such as CPALL, HMPRO and COM7 (domestic consumption and retail), as well as DELTA and HANA, KCE (exporters reliant on imported materials). In the worst case, a 36% tariff could reduce Thai GDP by as much as 6%, with SMEs especially hard hit. InnovestX Securities highlights ongoing political uncertainties, especially pending Constitutional Court rulings, as a source of market volatility. With the SET having risen significantly, short-term profit-taking is possible. Its picks are GULF at a target price of 70 baht, BCH at 20 baht and PTT at 41 baht.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store