NATIONAL STRATEGY IN THE DIGITAL AGE: THE THAI PUBLIC SECTOR AND ADAPTATION

Abstract

This academic article analyzes the adaptation of the Thai public sector to drive the national strategy in the digital age. It explores the concept of New Public Management (NPM), which played a crucial role in transforming the public administration landscape, aiming for greater efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness to public needs. NPM incorporated private sector management principles, such as performance-based management, a focus on outcomes, and streamlining bureaucracy. These principles were crucial for implementing national policies, particularly the 20-year national strategy, which focuses on sustainable development, improving quality of life, and creating a modern bureaucracy. This article also analyzed the potential and challenges facing the Thai public sector in applying these concepts to ensure a truly digitally aligned national strategy. Effective adaptation requires ongoing bureaucratic reform, the strategic use of digital technology, and the promotion of public participation to foster good governance. The conclusion suggested that these factors were crucial to driving the national strategy toward sustainable results and serve as a guideline for the future of Thai public services, resilient to the changes in the digital age.