The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa) is investing 30 million baht to organise Asia Digital Expo, aimed at matching technology suppliers with small and medium-sized entrepreneurs (SMEs).
Depa expects the event will accelerate society's digital transformation and generate up to 300 million baht.
The agency also plans to set aside 200 million baht for the Depa Fund, of which 100 million is to support the growth of startups, and the rest earmarked for its Transformation Fund for corporate users to speed up technology adoption.
Senior executive vice-president Chatchai Khunpitiluck said the agency will play a greater role in creating opportunities for technology suppliers and digital entrepreneurs to meet with corporate users to embrace digital technologies in order to increase productivity.
As Thailand has become an ageing society, the size of the workforce will decrease, possibly shaving 1% off the country's GDP, he said.
Mr Chatchai said businesses should apply more digital technology to increase productivity and efficiency through automation rather than depending on humans.
He said Asia Digital Expo 2018, scheduled for Jan 25-27 under the theme of "Digital Transformation", is being held at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.
The event will promote business matching and help digital entrepreneurs to meet potential customers.
The fair will showcase emerging tech trends, including virtual reality in property, 3D printing for education, digital factories, social sentiment/big data analytics, optical character recognition and robotics process automation, QR payment, fintech and digital media.
Some 250 technology firms from 10 countries including the US, France, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan are planning to attend.
Mr Chatchai said in February Depa will kick off its 200-million-baht Depa Fund, featuring its Startup and Transformation funds.
The Startup Fund will grant 10,000 to 300,000 baht in seed funding for each project proposal that has a concept and prototype.
More mature startup operators could be eligible to receive 300,000 to 5 million baht under the Co-investor Fund, for which Depa will partner up for the project.
He hopes that more than 400 startups will receive financial support from the fund.
"Depa will consider spinning off an investment holding for fund management," said Mr Chatchai.
For the Transformation Fund, SMEs and enterprises can receive 10,000 to 300,000 baht per project to improve their businesses through the application of technology.
Those who are eligible for funding must purchase technology or innovations from manufacturers in the 10 S-curve sectors being promoted by the state, including the robotics, medical and digital industries.
"For example, a manufacturer that needs to use robotics for automation processes at their factory may apply for the Transformation Fund," he said.