Phuket Vice Governor Deputy Governor Adul Chuthong presided over the opening ceremony of the seminar, held at The Pago Design Hotel in Ratsada yesterday (June 26).
Hasana Lekheem, chief of the Phuket branch of the National Statistics Office (NSO), explained that the goal of the training was to educate and empower citizens to use digital technology creatively and intelligently, fostering high-quality digital citizens who can self-manage, understand and mitigate digital risks, and respect the rights of themselves and others.
The training specifically targeted village headmen, community leaders, village committees and volunteers across Phuket.
The training saw 218 participants from 96 villages and 58 communities across three districts. It covered five key aspects of digital intelligence: Digital Identity, Digital Use, Digital Security, Digital Literacy, and Digital Communication. These aspects address personal data management, online threats, digital literacy, and fostering constructive digital collaboration.
V/Gov Adul highlighted the significant impact of digital technology on daily life, both positively and negatively.
He underscored Phuket’s commitment to leveraging digital technology to drive economic and social stability, given the province’s status as a renowned global tourism and service hub. Phuket aims to become a center of tourism, education, and innovation, promoting sustainable development through digital advancements, he said.
“Phuket is focused on enhancing its agricultural sector by promoting safe, high-value agricultural products and supporting professional farmers in producing quality goods linked to tourism. This strategy aims to strengthen community-based tourism and grassroots economies, ensuring sustainable development through local wisdom and online revenue generation,” V/Gov Adul said.
“In alignment with national digital economy goals, Phuket is committed to equipping its citizens with the skills to use digital technology creatively and intelligently, fostering good digital citizenship, and protecting against online risks. The training also aims to raise awareness about online scams and cyber threats, empowering communities to safeguard themselves effectively,” he added.
Participants, known as "Digital Volunteers" under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, are expected to play a crucial role in supporting and advising their communities, reducing panic from fake news, and curbing cybercrime, noted an official report of the seminar.