Study of Factors Affecting the Digital Divide in Thailand

Abstract

This research aimed to (1) study the level of the digital divide in Thailand, (2) analyze what factors affect the rate of increase in the number of internet users between 2011 and 2020, and (3) test the independence of independent variables and dependent variables. This study used quantitative research methods, namely, regression analysis and a chi-square test. The sample comprised internet users from 77 provinces in Thailand. The following research results were found. (1) Thailand had a problem of a digital divide between provinces, evidenced by the difference between the rate of increase in the number of internet users in each province between 2011 and 2020. (2) The factors that affected the rate of increase in the number of users in each province included the following: the percentage of the total population aged 60 years and over and group of workers in the social security system. The first two factors have a relationship in the opposite direction with the increase in the number of internet users, but the third factor has a relationship in the same direction as the rate of increase in the number of internet users. (3) The two factors mentioned had an inverse relationship with the rate of increase in the number of internet users. Provinces with a low rate of increase in the number of internet users tended to have a lower number of internet users than the national average, resulting in the digital divide. Therefore, there should be promotion and support for the people, especially two disadvantaged groups: the poor and the elderly, so that they have the opportunity to have greater access to the internet in order to reduce a problem of a digital divide between provinces in Thailand.