The Future of Thai Workers in Changing Economy

Abstract

The objective of this article was to represent the concepts related to the competency development of Thai workers so that could face to the fast-paced global dynamics with high complexity. Included, new global economic environments had emerged alongside with the trend of Industry 4.0, which was the transition to new business technology and innovations. In this modern world of economy, labor was projected to be a key mechanism for changes as workers were the operators of the modern technology. Among many countries, Thailand had a stimulation policy to facilitate these transitions, and it was known as Thailand 4.0. This policy was mandated to adjust its economic structure to embraced drive by innovations, promoted competitions of knowledge, creativity, and innovations, as well as supported the utilization of Internet of Things in networking. Nevertheless, it was inevitable that automation and robots would replace Thai workers, and the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis would remain significant barriers to today’s world economy. These influencing factors affected economies and rates of employment both in Thailand and other countries throughout the world. Furthermore, other emerging economic issues would also contributed changes to the future of Thai workers, especially their employment. Hence, it was vital for them to enhanced threshold abilities competencies (i.e., required knowledge or fundamental skills for individuals to work), developed differentiating outstanding competencies (i.e., the work-related skills, knowledge, characteristics, motivation, and attitudes that facilitated their self-adjustment and development to survived in the changing economic conditions), and took support from the public and private sectors.