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 aim is to be the main organization to drive the country with Big Data to increase the capacity of public administration and improve the quality of life of people in a sustainable way.
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 platform for public sector human resource development to ensure sustainable capacity building within government agencies, the Institute mobilized domain experts and built a national Big Data network. This effort aimed to enhance the capabilities of public personnel through hands-on training programs and practical learning experiences.
- Developing pilot big data analytics systems, the Institute promoted the initiation of pilot projects and supported Big Data implementation across various sectors. This was done by offering end-to-end consulting and collaborative development with government agencies to drive data-driven innovation.
- Creating platforms to support data-driven decision-making by nurturing data innovators, providing technical consulting, and developing domain-specific data platforms in key sectors such as healthcare and tourism, the Institute fostered an ecosystem that enabled organizations to harness the full potential of analytical data.
- Building international networks and raising public awareness by organizing activities for public sector personnel and network members to exchange knowledge, build mutual understanding, and promote awareness of the importance and benefits of data utilization for public sector transformation
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.
