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Development and Implementation of NSDI in Thailand
Dr.Chaowalit Silapathong
Head of Data Standards Section, Geo-informatics Center
Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Public Organization)
Bangkok, Thailand
Abstract
Thailand is now moving towards e-Government policy aiming to make use of ICT to support administration and public services. Emergence of the e-Government affects directly the development of GIS as a source of geo-spatial data and information. Hence, development of National GIS is a major issue for the Thai GIS community.
Most Thai government agencies dealing with natural resources and environmental management have been using GIS for their work. At present, more than 90 government agencies apply GIS to support their daily operations. A sizable budgets have been invested annually in producing geospatial data. Many of these data collection activities are redundant–data already exist but are hard to find, frequently undocumented, and in incompatible formats.
Although a lot of progress has been made in the area of Geo-Informatics, there are still certain aspects that need to be further enhanced and strengthened. These include closer coordination and cooperation amongst relevant agencies, national capacity building and human resource development. Another area that needs to be promoted is the participation of the private sector at all levels of activities, including research and development, production and services. Since the establishment of GISTDA (Geo-Informatics and Space Technology and Development Agency) in 2000, Thailand has engaged in the Spatial Data Infrastructure development at national level aiming to set up a national policy for GIS as well as to establish the best practice model for NSDI implementation. National GIS Master Plan has been now formulated in conjunction with a feasibility study on NSDI development would be implemented soon.
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