RETHINKING AND RESHAPING THAILAND’S NATIONAL E-PAYMENT IN THE POST-COVID ERA

Abstract

The fourth industrial revolution has brought disruptive innovations, which are wide-ranging and inevitable for the public and private sectors. Moreover, the outbreak of COVID-19 has placed pressure in a way that has dramatically transformed society. Governments have been facing pressure to challenge themselves to avoid becoming obsolete. Meanwhile, the financial sector remains among one of the most disrupted and rapidly evolving sectors of the economy, whereas recent innovation known as Fintech have also disrupted traditional banking practices. Correspondingly, the Thai government has launched the national e-payment system to facilitate digital banking, improve efficiency and ensure timeliness in the flow of financial transactions between the government and its citizens. However, with rapidly evolving technology, the key question is what the future holds for Thailand's national e-payment system. This paper seeks to answer this question by considering the current framework of Thai national e-payment as well as insights from countries where Fintech is thriving. Its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats are then analyzed using SWOT analysis. Consequently, to promote successful digital government within the context of fourth industrialization, Thai government is encouraged to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the national e-payment system by utilizing more Fintech in government-citizen financial transaction as well as educating citizens about Fintech and national e-payment.