Internet Usage in Thailand
Keywords:
Internet, Information and Communication Technology, Probit Analysis; Spill-over EffectAbstract
The internet is considered to be one of the information and communication technologies that have a significant impact on the development of individual capability and the economic growth of a country. This study aims to identify the factors that affect individuals’ decisions to use the internet and households’ decisions to connect to the internet in Thailand, by using the household survey data on ICT usage in 2009 from the National Statistic Office. Results from Probit models indicate that age, education, income, location of the household, and experience of using computers have significant impacts on individuals’ decisions to use the internet and households’ decisions to connect to the internet. More interestingly, children’ experiences of using the internet at schools, especially for children currently studying at a lower-secondary level and higher, have a significantly positive impact on households’ decisions to connect to the internet. For policy implications on promoting the internet usage among the population, these findings suggest that policy makers should pay attention and allocate more resources to disadvantage groups, such as uneducated and low income people living in the rural areas. In addition, policies that promote the internet usage in the schools should be continued because they not only help to improve students’ capability, but also have a spill-over effect on the other household members.
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