The Thai public expects to substantially increase its mobile usage over the coming years, more so than other Asian markets surveyed by Norwegian telecom giant Telenor.
The result is shown in Telenor Asia's "Digital Lives Decoded" study, which surveyed 8,227 mobile internet users aged over 18 in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam in July.
Telenor is the major shareholder in Total Access Communication Plc (DTAC), Thailand's third-biggest mobile operator in terms of subscriber base.
Some 82% of the Thai respondents said they expect to increasingly use their mobile phones in the next year or two, above the average of 74%.
The survey also shows people in the Philippines and Thailand are most dependent on their mobile phones, with 29% and 25%, respectively, saying they are never without their mobile phones.
Almost all respondents surveyed said they have their mobile phones with them for at least half of the day, and one in five are never without them.
A total of 76% of people surveyed said they maintained a good balance with their use of technology.
Thai people have the least concern over keeping pace with future technological changes at 63%, compared with an average of 85%.
Regarding privacy and security of mobile devices, 93% of respondents across the region said they were concerned about the issue. However, Thai people were least concerned with nearly 27% saying they were not concerned about this at all.
The study showed that more women than men believed mobile connectivity had enhanced their work options, generated income, and given them better access to information and education. In Thailand, 75% of women said mobile usage had improved their lives, compared with 49% of men.
Some 68% of Thai respondents said they feel their mobile phones significantly improved their quality of life, compared with an average of 58% for all markets surveyed.
"Compared to before the pandemic, mobile data usage has more than doubled in most Asian markets, reshaping how we communicate at work and at home," said Jorgen Rostrup, head of Telenor Asia.
"Interestingly, this survey shows that people want the changes in digital use and their daily lives to stay. In fact, they continue to immerse themselves in a digital world despite rules on travel and social interaction being relaxed."
