They key to surviving the economic crisis

Pansak Siriruchatapon

We should be regarding information technology (IT) as a tool that can enable a strengthening of our industries, to build up Thailand's economic stability and push the country through the crisis.

The Thai export industry is already being hit by the global downturn, and among the industries directly affected is electronics, which is now responsible for about one-third of the value of the country's exports. We must find ways to free the country from these problems.

Three sectors have been identified as having potential to help the country tackle the economic turmoil. They are agriculture, medical and healthcare and tourism. To strengthen these sectors for the job ahead, IT must play a critical, behind-the-scenes role.

The world's markets constantly demand food supplies and medical services, so it's a real challenge for Thailand to introduce new technologies to enhance its agricultural production and leverage the standard of its medical treatment to push itself into a leading role in these areas.

The concept of smart agriculture should be developed to add more value to Thai agricultural products, while pushing the country into a "kitchen of the world" role. This involves the adoption of technologies in agricultural systems ranging from the breed improvement level, including planting, harvesting and food processing, through to the logistics level.

It's good news that Thailand is currently adopting the "smart agriculture" concept by developing so-called agritronics technology - the use of electronics and information technology in agriculture. The technology helps to achieve better farm management, improves the quality of products and increases productivity. I would suggest that agritronics is a jump-start technology, backed up by IT, that Thai farmers should be adopting as a new kind of agricultural system.

In the medical sector, IT should be used to leverage the standard of Thai medical and healthcare services. IT has become a key infrastructure component, linking doctors and experts from around the world to medical information and providing patients with better medical services. Technology is also being developed for new and advanced medical devices, allowing doctors to provide patients with progressive, preventive and personalised treatments. Advanced medical technology is a basic key to attracting overseas patients to use Thailand's medical services. It will give substance to the dream of this country becoming a medical hub for the world.

Finally, as a paradise destination for tourists, Thailand can certainly gain advantages from IT in revolutionizing its tourism industry and creating a new e-tourism, in which the Internet and online channels are used to attract customers from all over the world.

Despite the economic downturn, if Thailand can capture the benefits of IT and use technology to enhance the country's strengths, we will pass through this crisis with greater economic stability.

Dr Pansak Siriruchatapong is executive director of the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (Nectec). He can be contacted at pansak@nectec.or.th