Spatial Econometric Analysis of the Digital Divide in Thailand at the Sub-District Level: Patterns and Determinants

This study explores spatial patterns in the digital divide and its determinants at a sub-district level in Thailand. This study's design is based on the Spatially Aware Technology Utilization Model, which is used to construct a conceptual model of the digital divide from a geospatial perspective in Thailand. A spatial econometric approach was used to analyze the data set of basic household necessities information from 2021 provided by the Community Development Department of Thailand. The results show a positive spatial autocorrelation of the household internet access divide (HIAD) across Thailand's sub-districts. This spatial clustering tended to be high-high in the sub-districts located in the northeastern and northern regions, with low-low agglomerations in the central region of Thailand. In addition, the spatial econometric analysis results indicated that the HIAD may be influenced by demographic, economic, educational, government ICT prioritization, social capital, transportation, and disaster-related variables of neighboring sub-districts in Thailand. This study provides both theoretical and policy implications to enrich geographic knowledge of the digital divide, specifically in the context of developing countries.