MDES and depa visited Chiang Mai to oversees key projects under the ministry's digital economy and society development plan while also engaged in insightful discussions among local entrepreneurs and vendors in Chiang Mai.
Mr.Prasert Jantararuangtong, Minister of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), engaged in a discussion with local entrepreneurs and influencers at the Digital Content-Driven E-Commerce Workshop: Practical Training to Boost Sales with Digital Content. This Event builds on the success of CONNEXION project with Dr.Chinawut Chinaprayoon Executive Vice President of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) and Dr.Sakkawet Yorsaeng Director of the Digital Industry Promotion Division, along with their team, welcomed the attendees.
Mr.Prasert stated that discussions with entrepreneurs in the northern region revealed various challenges, including adapting to the online world, keeping pace with rapid technological advancements, and sales strategy that still lacking behind other product type. Additionally, production volume still failed to match. On behalf of the MDES with depa, dedicating to create transformative changes for local products and communities. Additionally, the ministry aims to enhance digital knowledge among entrepreneurs to create new market opportunities along with preparing the digital ecosystem integrates with government support to concretely elevate local businesses and community products.
As for Digital Content-Driven E-Commerce Workshop is a project designed to enhance the digital knowledge and skills of community entrepreneurs in 5 regions around Thailand, aiming to boost their sales on e-commerce platforms through practical training workshops. These workshops cover a range of topics, including product photography techniques, storytelling, live selling, and opening stores on social commerce platforms like TikTok and Facebook. Additionally, the project utilizes trading data from the Thai e-marketplace platform eTailligence to aid in marketing decisions. These efforts aim to propel local products and services into the online world, providing a competitive edge in quality and creativity, while also fostering new content creators and micro-influencers within the community.
Following that the Minister of Digital Economy and Society had the honor of inaugurating the ‘Sustainable Model Market’ event at Kad Varun Mueng Chiang Mai District. This activity is part of Transform New Era Fresh Market with Mr,Julanop Santipong Director, Department of Digital Trade & Industry Development Promotion of depa, and his team, along with Mr.Vorapat Chutima, Kad Arun Executive, were present to welcome the attendees.
Mr.Prasert stated that MDES through depa, has been advancing the Transform New Era Fresh Market project since 2022. The project's goal is to provide digital tools to entrepreneurs, small traders, and street vendors—key players in the country’s economic foundation—to improve business efficiency and adapt to the competitive landscape of today. The initiative aims to enhance business capabilities and commerce, leading to the establishment of model markets that integrate digital management tools, keep pace with technological and innovative advancements, and strengthen digital capabilities and competitive advantages for the country.
The ‘Sustainable Model Market’ event, under the Transform New Era Fresh Market project focuses on monitoring and evaluating the integration of digital technology from Thai startups into the operations of entrepreneurs, SMEs, and small vendors. This includes leveraging digital service accounts to raise awareness about using technology to enhance business management, develop consumer access channels, boost revenue, and reduce costs through improved operational efficiency in the digital era. The project has been successfully expanded, with implementation across 75 markets in 25 provinces, encompassing over 100,000 stalls.
MDES also engaged with vendors and market owners to collect feedback and suggestions for enhancing the project's effectiveness. Kad Varun, a versatile marketplace serving both local residents and tourists, has implemented digital platform, a stall management system developed by the Chiang Mai startup ‘Chaoperty,’ which is registered with depa. This system is designed to improve rental space and accounting management while also supporting the use of digital technology to boost sales. These efforts are aimed at positioning Kad Varun as a model market in the northern region.