Mobile internet usage in Thailand
The rapid development of innovative features and technology equipped in today’s mobile phones combined with user preferences to access the internet has made mobile phones one of the main devices for internet use in Thailand. With leading mobile operators such as AIS, True Move H, and Dtac pushing for better 3G and 4G coverage across the country, mobile broadband performance and average speed in Thailand have continued to improve. This resulted in a larger customer base for mobile internet. In 2021, AIS provided the best 4G availability in the country, closely followed by True Move H. As 4G rapidly establishes itself in Thailand, 5G was recently introduced by AIS in 2020 making Thailand the first country in ASEAN to implement 5G networks in the region.Popular mobile apps and their influence on Thai consumers
In addition to the enhanced infrastructure from increased internet accessibility in recent years, the use of mobile apps has also facilitated various aspects of daily life for Thai consumers. From convenient shopping experiences and handling finances to entertainment and even finding future partners, Thais are familiarizing themselves and adapting mobile apps into their daily routines. Although there are various options for mobile applications, communication-based apps, specifically social media, remain the most popular app category among Thai users.Apart from communication-based apps, financial apps have also become a common option for handling finances ever since banks implemented mobile banking services. This has influenced the continuous increase in mobile banking transactions since 2017. In other aspects of lifestyle changes, mobile apps have also shaped a consumer’s choice on a personal level through the form of dating apps. These apps have gained popularity in Thailand recently as a lot of Thais find it hard to meet new people through social situations, being one of the main reasons to use dating apps.
In recent years, the government sector has acknowledged the accessibility of mobile apps and has thus implemented its own apps to facilitate the tracking of diseases during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. That being said, mobile applications continue to bring about substantial lifestyle changes among consumers in Thailand and have undeniably become part of a way of living in this modern generation.
