Organization
The Big Data Institute (Public Organization)
BDI is a public agency under the supervision of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, established on June 1, 2023 according to the Royal Decree on the Establishment of Big Data Institutions (Public Organizations), 2023, which was published in the Government Gazette. The institute aims to be the primary organization driving the country forward through the use of big data, with the goal of enhancing the efficiency of public sector administration and sustainably improving the quality of life for the people.
Beginning and Roles
Prior to its establishment as a public organization, BDI was named Government Big Data Institute (GBDi) under the supervision of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) of the Ministry of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society. GBDi was established pursuant to the Cabinet Resolution dated May 7, 2019, with a three-year operational period (from July 2019 to June 2022). Its activities were financially supported by the Digital Economy and Society Development Fund.
Under GBDi, the Institute played a vital role in promoting and supporting the use of big data to drive economic and social development. This was achieved through services such as big data analytics, consulting for government agencies, and the development of knowledge and innovation in data management to enhance organizational efficiency. The core missions of the Institute were as follows:
- Establishing a comprehensive platform for public sector human resource development, the Institute aimed to ensure long-term capacity enhancement within government agencies. This involved mobilizing domain experts and forming a national Big Data network to strengthen the capabilities and readiness of public personnel through practical training programs and experiential learning opportunities.
- Developing pilot Big Data analytics systems, the Institute promoted the launch of early-stage initiatives and supported the broader adoption of Big Data solutions across multiple sectors. This was achieved by providing end-to-end consulting services and engaging in collaborative development with government agencies, thereby advancing data-driven innovation.
- Creating specialized platforms to enable data-driven decision-making, the Institute supported evidence-based policy formulation and service delivery. These efforts focused on nurturing data innovators, delivering technical consulting, and building domain-specific data infrastructures in strategic sectors such as healthcare and tourism, contributing to an ecosystem that unlocks the full potential of analytical data.
- Building international networks and raising public awareness, the Institute organized knowledge exchange activities for public sector personnel and network stakeholders. These efforts fostered mutual understanding and emphasized the strategic importance and societal benefits of data utilization in transforming the public sector.
Projects
Health Link
Health Information Exchange
Co-Link
Covid Data Linkage Platform
Travel Link
Transition to the Big Data Institute (Public Organization)
To ensure continuity and to expand the role of GBDi, the Thai government has initiated the transition toward establishing a unified national entity responsible for driving the use, analysis, and integration of big data. This transition aims to strengthen national data governance, support evidence-based policy planning, and align with Thailand’s digital transformation agenda under the Thailand 4.0 vision.
On December 13, 2022, the Cabinet approved in principle the draft Royal Decree for the establishment of the National Big Data Institute (Public Organization), as proposed by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society. As part of this transition, the agency was officially renamed to the Big Data Institute (Public Organization).
The Big Data Institute (Public Organization), or BDI, was officially established on June 1, 2023, to carry forward the work of GBDi. Its mission is to enhance the public sector’s capabilities in managing and leveraging big data in a systematic and integrated manner.
Looking Ahead : Driving Thailand Forward with Big Data
BDI serves as the key national agency driving the integration of data usage across public and private sectors. Through the application of advanced technologies and data expertise, BDI enables effective data governance and maximizes the value of data for sustainable organizational development.
The Institute plays a strategic role in utilizing big data as a critical tool to support policymaking, improve operational efficiency, and foster innovation—preparing Thailand to remain competitive and resilient in the rapidly evolving digital world.
