Finance Minister opens Money Expo 2026, views AI as an opportunity to transform Thailand's economic engine.

The Minister of Finance opened Money Expo 2026, viewing AI as an opportunity to transform Thailand's economic engine. He highlighted three main approaches: seizing global investment opportunities, creating opportunities for small businesses, and building AI knowledge, hoping for greater Thai prosperity after the crisis.

7 May 2569 Dr. Ekniti Nitithanpraphat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance presided over the opening ceremony26th Bangkok Money Expo MONEY EXPO 2026 BANGKOK Under the concept of "AI Wealth Creation," at Challenger Hall 1-2, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani.

Dr. Ekniti Nitithanpraphat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance He said that he had previously had the opportunity to participate in several global forums, including the World Economic Forum in Davos and the IMF and World Bank meetings in Washington. At every forum and in every conversation, whether with global technology leaders or finance ministers from various countries, the focus ultimately returned to the same question: How is the world changing in the age of AI, and where will our country stand in that world?

"I believe this question isn't just for the country's leaders, but for all Thais, including everyone in this room. Because if we compare the economy to a car, today we're not just facing more difficult roads due to the energy crisis, high prices, and cost of living issues like the rest of the world. We also have our own challenge: an outdated engine that may no longer meet the demands of a world that's changing faster every day."

Therefore, upgrading Thailand's economic engine is not an option, but a necessity. And in this era, AI is one of the most important tools for upgrading that engine. However, when it comes to AI, many people still have concerns about whether AI will replace jobs and whether existing skills will be sufficient.

While these concerns are understandable, from another perspective, what is happening is not just a risk but a significant opportunity for the country. The IMF recently estimated that AI can significantly boost economic productivity, in some cases increasing it by nearly 1% per year. For Thailand, this figure is not just a small one; it represents the difference between conventional growth and a leap forward in the overall economic potential.

Dr. Ekniti stated that, therefore, the real question is not how we can avoid AI, but how we can use AI to create new opportunities for Thai people. Importantly, having a new engine alone doesn't guarantee reaching the goal; it also requires drivers who are proficient in using this new system, and a vehicle that can transport everyone together.

However, the most important aspect of AI is not the technology itself, but rather access to opportunities. Previously, financial knowledge, investment tools, and access to capital might have been concentrated in a select few. But in the AI ​​era, these things are being transformed to become more widely accessible, faster, and more personalized.

"This is the core of the AI ​​Wealth Creation concept: not just creating new wealth, but making that wealth truly accessible to more people."

From the government's perspective, AI presents opportunities for the Thai economy in three key dimensions.

Mission 1 Thailand is a key player in the global AI chain. Today, digital and AI investments flowing into the country total over half a trillion baht, including long-term investments from leading global companies. However, the government's goal is not just to attract investment, but to transform those investments into opportunities for Thais through technology transfer, skills development, and the creation of new businesses within the country. Because economic upgrading cannot happen without upgrading the human capital simultaneously.

Mission 2Thailand is using AI to upgrade its financial services. AI is transforming the financial system from one reliant on collateral to one that uses data to reflect potential, enabling small business owners who may lack assets to access capital if they have data demonstrating their growth capabilities.

This is already happening, through tools like Ari Score, which helps create financial identities from diverse datasets. At the same time, the development of the MOF Data Lake, which connects vast amounts of data from citizens and businesses, is enabling the government to design policies that are more targeted, timely, and precise. This is a transition from broad policies to more precise policies.

Mission 3 All groups of Thais are using AI. Ultimately, the most important thing is not the technology, but the people. AI is becoming part of daily life, from searching for information and planning finances to making important life decisions. However, AI is not always the right answer. The information may be inaccurate, and this could lead to wrong decisions.

Therefore, Thailand's challenge is not just to make Thais able to use AI, but to use it wisely and critically. They need to know when to trust, when to question, and when to use their own judgment. This is why AI literacy and financial literacy are crucial foundations that we must urgently build for Thais of all ages, so that AI can be used safely, effectively, and to create real opportunities in their lives.

All of this is why Money Expo 2026 is happening this year. This event goes beyond a typical financial product trade show because it's not just a place to talk about AI; it's a place where AI becomes tangible. Over four days, you'll see more than 100 financial institutions showcase real-world AI-powered products and services, and clearly witness how the future of finance in the AI ​​era is not far off, but is happening today.

“Finally, I'd like to invite everyone to return to the original picture. If the Thai economy is a car, today we are in a period of changing the engine. AI is the new engine, with the potential to allow us to go faster, stronger, and further. But a good engine will be meaningless without a driver who knows how to use it, and most importantly, a car with seating for everyone. Because the success of this transition will not be measured by how fast we go, but by how much we can help the Thai people move forward together. If we can do this, AI will not just be a technology, but a new engine that will propel the Thai economy forward steadily and sustainably.”