The Evolution of the Parliament of Thailand: A Shift towards a Digital Future
About the Parliament of Thailand | Written on September, 2023
Introduction
The Parliament of Thailand has made significant strides in its journey towards modernisation. Aspiring to transform into a 'smart Parliament', the institution's core objective revolves around streamlining operations, fostering transparency, and embracing technological advancements for the betterment of its citizens. This essay delves into the Parliament's digital transformation journey, highlighting its key initiatives, achievements, challenges, and future prospects.
The Initial Vision
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Parliament had laid out a strategic vision for 2018-2021. The central aim was to morph into a high-performance organisation. This vision was rooted in the ambition to advance their ICT capabilities, reduce resource wastage, and digitally enhance their operational effectiveness. The unforeseen advent of the pandemic, however, accelerated this digital transformation, pushing for rapid adjustments in their planned trajectory.
Digital Initiatives and Achievements
Digital Documentation: The introduction of the 'Wonderfile' mobile application stands as a testament to the Parliament's commitment to digitising its processes. Designed to assist members during international parliamentary meetings, this app provides digital access to agendas, programmes, and other essential documents.
Infrastructure Enhancement: Central to their digital strategy is the data centre located within the Parliament building. It serves as the hub for numerous IT systems and houses crucial documents. The establishment of the 'Legislative Institutional Repository of Thailand' (LRIT), a digital platform, further underscores their commitment to information dissemination. This repository, being the first in Thailand to achieve a 'Portico Seal' certification, offers the public easy access to a wealth of legislative information.
Promotion of Digital Literacy: Recognising the need for a digitally competent workforce, the Parliament initiated a comprehensive digital skill development plan spanning from 2019 to 2022. This plan, segmented into three phases, encompasses reviewing digital procedures, enhancing service quality, and fostering innovation. To ensure the upskilling of its personnel, the Parliament mandates digital literacy assessments and offers additional training for those needing improvement.
Adoption of Advanced Technologies: Leveraging artificial intelligence, the Parliament has integrated tools like the live chat system to facilitate information access for its members. Additionally, the implementation of automatic speech recognition (ASR) technology has dramatically reduced the time required for transcription, enhancing the efficiency of inter-parliamentary communications.
Challenges in the Digital Transition
While the digital transformation journey has seen commendable progress, it has not been without challenges. The reliance on a singular data centre poses risks, especially in the face of potential natural disasters. Network instabilities and ICT system malfunctions further exacerbate these challenges, potentially disrupting parliamentary services. Rapid advancements in digital technology also present a continuous challenge, demanding constant adaptation and learning.
Looking Ahead: The 2023-2027 Vision
A Holistic Vision for a Smart Parliament
The Thai Parliament's vision for 2023-2027 aims to create a 'smart Parliament', encompassing technological sophistication, ethical governance, and transparent operations.
Technological Innovations
Upgraded technological infrastructure is at the forefront of this vision. Not only will existing platforms be enhanced, but new solutions, like blockchain technology for record-keeping, are also under consideration.
Ethical and Transparent Governance
Advanced analytics tools will be employed to foster a culture of accountability and transparency. Public dashboards displaying real-time legislative data are planned to increase public engagement and understanding.
Full Digital Transition
The vision goes beyond digitisation to include the virtualisation of legislative processes, thus allowing for remote participation and greater flexibility in a post-pandemic world.
Data Protection and Resilience
To mitigate the risks associated with a single data centre, plans for a disaster recovery site are in the pipeline, aiming to ensure data protection and service continuity.
Fostering Innovation
The Parliament aims to institutionalise its innovation contests and exhibitions, making them an integral part of its strategy for technological upskilling and digital transformation.
In summary, the 2023-2027 vision positions the Thai Parliament as a pioneering institution in legislative modernisation, equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.
Conclusion
The Parliament of Thailand's forward-looking approach to embracing the digital age is evident in its strategic initiatives and achievements. While challenges persist, the institution's commitment to continuous learning and adaptation positions it well to realise its vision for the future. As it continues on its transformative journey, the overarching goal remains clear: leveraging technology to best serve its citizens.