Thai Mobile Phone Usage Surges to Join Government Stimulus Programs
Thai smartphone usage has surged to 96.2 percent as citizens increasingly rely on mobile devices to access government economic stimulus programs, according to a national survey of over 86,000 households.
A survey of over 80,000 Thai households shows increased use of information and communications technology, driven by smartphone sales growth as citizens must access government economic stimulus measures online.
Ekkapong Hirimcharoen, director of the National Statistical Office, released results from a second-quarter 2026 household ICT survey covering 86,880 households across the country. Information technology and communications use at both individual and household levels rose slightly compared to the previous quarter and continues an upward trajectory over the long term.
The growth corresponds with rising domestic smartphone sales and government economic stimulus programs that require citizens to participate through internet-based systems. However, household computer ownership continues declining in the long term as mobile phones take over computer functions across many activities.
The survey found 66.4 million Thais aged six and older, with 92.8 percent using the internet, 96.2 percent using smartphones, and 90.6 percent owning mobile phones—all increases from the previous quarter and showing sustained long-term growth. The short-term increases match domestic smartphone sales growth and the government stimulus programs citizens must join online.
At the household level, of 24.8 million private households, 93.8 percent have internet connections and 97.3 percent own smartphones, both up from the previous quarter and trending upward long-term. This contrasts with household computer ownership, which fell slightly to 20.1 percent from the previous quarter and continues declining as mobile phones replace computers in many applications.
