The Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS) and newly-founded think tank Institute of Public Policy and Development (IPPD) signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday for cooperation aimed at fostering data system for public policy through greater public collaboration and participation.

The agreement focuses on practical research, big data management and communication on public policy for Thailand’s sustainable development.

Thai PBS Director General Assoc. Prof. Wilasinee Phiphitkul said that Thai PBS consistently develops its contents based on research studies and public consultations. Its media lab collects data and public feedbacks to be analysed and translated into various categories of contents on Thai PBS’s different media platforms.

“In working with IPPD, we will be able to access greater and valuable research-based data.  As a result, our audiences will benefit from contents that are relevant and meaningful to their lives,” she said.

IPPD Managing Director Dr. Sorapop Kiatpongsan said that in the past public policy was seen as something exclusive to policy-makers and small groups of people. In the modern age, public voices and input are increasingly crucial for practical and effective policy formulation.

“Collaborating with Thai PBS will create an interactive process in which we can bring in public opinions and voices into public policy formulating process early on, rather than at the end of the process,” he said.

IPPD is an open, future-oriented policy lab, providing innovative and impactful strategic insight and long-term policy solutions.  It’s a think-tank under the National Economic and Social Development Board.

Thai PBS and IPPD share the view that in the fast-changing world in which sustainable development is a key goal, there is a strong need for an effective utilization of big data to make Thailand a data-driven society in which people have access to information crucial to their livelihood.