Pichet Durongkaveroj

Dr. Durongkaveroj received his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney; MEng.Sc. in Applied Solar Energy, Trinity University, Texas; Ph.D. in Public Policy and Management, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Pichet Durongkaveroj has assumed his position as Minister of Digital Economy and Society since December 2016. Prior to that he held the Minister of Science and Technology portfolio for over two years during which many progressive changes have been widely implemented. An outstanding career in the field of public policy, he has contributed to his country the design, formulation, and implementation of major national policies including science & technology, innovation, ICT, e-commerce, and education. His contributions have also been extended to international collaboration notably to ASEAN, APEC, UNCTAD, OECD, WHO, ITU etc., as well as establishing effective scientific diplomacy to bilateral, multilateral relations, and inter-agency collaborations.

Prior to his appointments to both ministerial portfolios, he founded and headed many important organizations including Secretary General of the National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office, Executive Director of the Knowledge Network Institute of Thailand, Director of Electronic Commerce Resource Center, Chairman of the e-ASEAN working group, Director of the National Information Technology Committee Secretariat Office.

His policy track records have sustained long-term impacts to national and international development. A policy architect who understands the roles of integration and partnerships domestically and internationally, Dr. Durongkaveroj has been instrumental in establishing many policy platforms such as university-industry linkages, ASEAN integration, community water management, and most recently championing tech startup campaign. He is currently concentrating on digital development and digital for development covering broadband infrastructure to all 75,000 villages nationwide, smart cities, digital park innovation development, digital community covering e-commerce, e-health, e-government, and human resource capacity development.