Thailand Launches National AI Push — Here's What Businesses Need to Know

The Thai government has moved decisively to put artificial intelligence within reach of small businesses, farmers, and street vendors — and the programme comes with real money attached, a fast-approaching deadline, and Chiang Mai directly in its sights.

Three state agencies — the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa), the Revenue Department, and the Board of Investment (BoI) — have jointly launched the One Tambon, One Digital (OTOD) AI Transformation initiative, targeting 15,600 businesses and individuals by 2026 and aiming to generate an economic impact of at least 500 million baht.

The announcement marks a significant escalation in Thailand’s national digital strategy, moving beyond awareness campaigns into direct financial support for businesses at every level of the economy.

Why now?

Officials have been candid about the urgency. depa chief Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin said the initiative is aimed at helping Thailand deal with fierce competition, labour shortages, volatile export conditions, and rapid changes in technology and consumer behaviour. depa has set a target of making Thailand’s businesses AI-ready by 2027, and the OTOD programme is the most concrete vehicle yet for reaching that goal outside Bangkok.

Two funding tracks — which one fits your business?

The scheme is divided into two practical streams, both accessible via aitransform.depa.or.th.

The first is for established SMEs ready to commit to transformation. The d-transform fund offers up to 200,000 baht per business for 600 qualifying SMEs — covering 200 manufacturing businesses, 300 trade and service businesses, and 100 agricultural processing operations. Grant rounds are reviewed on the 7th and between the 18th–22nd of each month, on a rolling basis until funds run out, and are capped at 250 grants divided equally across regions.

The second track targets smaller operators and first-time digital users. The d-voucher fund provides six months of initial digital usage rights for 15,000 participants — including small shops, street vendors, market stalls, and 5,000 farmers. Over 400 Thai-developed digital products and services registered on the Thailand Digital Catalog are available to choose from under this scheme.

The deadline has been extended — but time is running out

Applications for the AI Transformation programme are open now through 30 April 2026 at aitransform.depa.or.th. For telephone enquiries, depa can be reached at 061 225 7778 and 061 298 7774. Both funds operate on a first-come, first-served basis — don’t wait.

A new tax incentive adds further firepower

Separate from the OTOD grants but designed to work alongside them, Royal Decree No. 802, published in February 2026, introduces a 200% corporate income tax deduction for SMEs investing in digital products and services registered on depa’s Thailand Digital Catalog. The measure covers expenses incurred from 24 June 2025 through 31 December 2027.

In plain terms: spend 100,000 baht on a qualifying AI tool, and you can deduct 200,000 baht from your taxable income. Businesses need to retain official tax invoices, proof of payment, and depa registration confirmation for each qualifying expense — so keeping clean records from the outset is essential.

Chiang Mai is one of seven roadshow cities

Workshops, seminars, and business-matching events are being organised across seven provinces: Phitsanulok, Chiang Mai, Songkhla, Phuket, Chon Buri, Ubon Ratchathani, and Khon Kaen. These events connect local businesses with vetted digital solution providers from the Thailand Digital Catalog — valuable for operators who aren’t sure which tools to choose. The national roadshow has now reached its eighth stop, confirming the programme is actively rolling out across the country.

depa has regional offices in Chiang Mai where staff can assist with grant applications, and the agency has explicitly stated that retail, agriculture, tourism, and food businesses are among its priority targets — not just technology companies.

Who qualifies?

SMEs with annual revenues under 600 million baht or fewer than 300 employees are eligible for the transformation grants. For the d-voucher, the bar is lower — it is designed for micro-businesses, sole traders, and farmers accessing digital tools for the first time. The agency anticipates over 15,600 entrepreneurs across Thailand will benefit from the scheme.

The larger context

Research into Northern Thailand SMEs specifically identifies financial constraints, workforce skill shortages, and poor data quality as the three biggest barriers to AI adoption — precisely the gaps the OTOD programme is designed to close. Thailand’s digital transformation market is projected to nearly double from US$9.2 billion in 2024 to nearly US$20 billion by 2033, with Chiang Mai identified as one of the country’s key regional growth hubs.

For local businesses, the message from Bangkok is clear: the window is open, the funding is live, and the deadline is 30 April 2026.