Fudan-LSE Lecture Series No.22

THE SPEAKER

Danuvas Sagarik is assistant professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Graduate School of Public Administration, National Institute of Development Administration in Bangkok, Thailand. He received his BSc (Hons) in Economics from University of Essex and MSc in Economics, Finance, and Management from University of Bristol, UK. He was awarded Graduate Exchange Fellowship from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA), Indiana University Bloomington, USA, and then received his PhD in Development Administration from National Institute of Development Administration. His research interest is on Thai public policy, fiscal policy, digital economy, and digital government.

ABSTRACT

This lecture sheds light on the important elements of public sector transformation in Thailand towards a digital government and addresses the key reform challenges. Particularly, public sector reform towards digital government or e-government 4.0 in Thailand aims to achieve higher business competitiveness and better citizen’s well-being. The limitations and major challenges facing desired promises of the Thai government will be analyzed. These challenges include administrative challenges, legislative action, technical challenges, performance challenges, and societal challenges. Stronger role and authority of central agency as well as improved mechanisms for establishing and maintaining formalized lines of responsibility and accountability of the e-government reforms are required to achieve e-government 4.0 in Thailand.