Bangkok: Four major tech companies - Grab, Lazada, LINE MAN, and Shopee - have joined forces to establish the Thailand Digital Economy Promotion Agency (TDPA) to drive Thailand's digital economy. A significant development has occurred in Thailand's digital sector as these platforms aim to elevate the country's digital ecosystem to international standards and strengthen the platform economy for efficient growth, under principles of transparent and fair governance for all sectors.

According to Thai News Agency, Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Thamkorn Suphathanarangsi, President of the Thailand Digital Economy Promotion Agency (TDPA), stated that the digital economy currently accounts for as much as 10% of Thailand's GDP and is a crucial infrastructure for the country. The association's main mission is to create a trustworthy ecosystem that connects consumers and businesses, especially SMEs, enabling them to access technology and compete internationally. It also aims to act as a bridge between the business and government sectors in developing open and responsible policies.

This merger marks a turning point in coordination with the government, with the association acting as a central hub to gather unified opinions from businesses. Previously, over 200 platforms often provided information separately, creating a burden for government agencies in terms of analysis. While the four companies continue to compete intensely from a business perspective, all parties agree that, in terms of policy and building long-term trust, precise and internationally aligned regulatory standards are necessary for sustainable growth.