Bangkok: The government is actively promoting the use of "Nok Krassip," an AI-powered shop assistant, to aid businesses in leveraging data for sales enhancement.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, announced that the "Nok Krasip" feature on the "Thung Ngern" application, launched by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on June 15, 2026, has seen over 400,000 uses. This indicates a growing trend among small business owners to integrate AI technology into their day-to-day business operations.
This initiative is part of the Upskill/Reskill program within the "Half-Price Plus" project, designed to equip small business owners with the necessary tools to thrive in a digital economy. Recent data shows that the food and beverage industry leads in utilizing "Nok Krasip," comprising about 60% of users, highlighting the sector's need for digital solutions to manage costs and enhance efficiency.
The data also reveals an evolution in businesses' AI usage. Initially, 80% of users relied on system guidelines for inquiries, a figure that has now dropped to 40%, as more businesses independently seek advice. This shift indicates an increasing comfort and confidence in using AI for business management.
Initially, over 40% of inquiries were about program application processes. However, there is a growing trend of entrepreneurs asking more business-centric questions related to pricing, promotions, cost management, and sourcing, showing a more strategic use of data for business development.
The government plans to further enhance "Whispering Bird" by enabling comparisons of sales figures with similar local businesses, offering in-depth business data analysis, and integrating with the "AreeScore" system. This will facilitate easier access to loans and financial services for entrepreneurs.
Ms. Rachada emphasized that the government aims to make AI a pivotal tool for enhancing the capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), boosting their competitiveness, and strengthening the grassroots economy over time. The growing acceptance and utilization of this technology demonstrate its potential to create economic opportunities for entrepreneurs across the nation.