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September 11, 2023, Bangkok : Office of The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (Office of The NBTC) collaborated with the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) to organize APT Symposium 2023 on September 11 – 12, 2023 at W Bangkok Hotel. Clinical Professor Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck, Chairman of The NBTC, had the honour of delivering opening remarks, together with Mr. Masanori Kondo, Secretary General of APT, presided over the symposium and delivered keynote speeches on the importance of this year’s APT Symposium.
APT Symposium 2023 is a platform where all APT Members, Associate Members, Affiliate Members, representatives and delegations from international organizations meet and share their perspectives on regulatory measures and policy framework that govern development of telecommunications/ICT infrastructure in Asia-Pacific region. It focuses on promoting digital inclusion and efficiently providing people with equal access to the advantages of ICTs. This year’s symposium gathered representatives and delegations from Kingdom of Bhutan, Kingdom of Cambodia, People's Republic of China, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Japan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Philippines, Independent State of Samoa, Thailand, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT), and Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications (RCC), totaling 134 attendees.
Meanwhile, Mr. Torpong Selanon, Commissioner of The NBTC and Ms. Atsuko Okuda, Regional Director of ITU for Asia and the Pacific, also delivered keynotes at the 1st meeting session titled “A Success Story of Inclusive Connectivity in Thailand”. NBTC Commissioner Mr. Torpong Selanon discussed the accomplishments of telecommunication development projects initiated by Office of The NBTC with the objective of providing people across segments with greater access to public services and advantages of ICTs and bridging the digital divide and disparity in accessing ICTs. Highlighted initiatives to address the technology gap include providing mobile services and broadband internet services for 3,920 villages and communities in remote and border areas that are defined as Zone C+ as well as expanding high-speed internet services to cover 15,735 villages in remote areas that are defined as Zone C. Additionally,
Mr. Notachard Chintakanond, Executive Director of the International Affairs Bureau, Office of The NBTC, was Thailand’s representative as a speaker in the 2nd session of the symposium titled “Understanding the Digital Divide and Ensuring Universal Connectivity”. He discussed measures to bridge the digital divide and raise public confidence in universal connectivity, aiming to provide all people with equitable access to essential resources and digital opportunities. Mr. Notachard also discussed the progress of Office of The NBTC’s initiatives aimed at sharing knowledge and experience with all stakeholders, the obstacles
to universal connectivity, strategies to expand affordable internet access and improve reliability in internet connectivity, and proactive policies to foster collaboration between the public and private sectors.
APT Symposium 2023 marks an important milestone in a collaborative effort to bridge the digital divide and disparity, as well as pivot all resources toward promoting digital equality. The symposium also reaffirms Office of The NBTC’s crucial role in fostering the development of Thailand’s digital economy and steering the country to a fully-fledged digital society in the future.
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