The Socioeconomic Transformation of Doi Soi Malai: Bridging the “Last-Meter” Digital Divide through Community-Based Wireless Mesh Networks

By Maculata May Endira and Kanchana Kanchanasut, Internet Education and Research Laboratory (intERLab), Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand                                               

Published February 2026

Abstract

This study examines the socioeconomic impact of community based wireless mesh networks in bridging the “last-meter” digital divide in rural Thailand. While national infrastructure often reaches village centers, it frequently fails to deliver affordable connectivity directly to remote households. Focusing on the Hmong community of Baan Hmong Mai Phatthana on Doi Soi Malai mountain, this research analyzes the transition from high-cost, unreliable mobile data to Net2Home’s sustainable social enterprise model. Utilizing a comparative qualitative approach involving 14 individual interviews across both Net2Home users and non-users, the research documents how the intervention reduced annual household internet expenditures from as high as 26,400 THB to a fixed rate of 3,000 THB (representing an 88.6% cost reduction for the most burdened households). The findings reveal that “last-meter” access serves as a critical economic lifeline, enabling financial liberation, digital commerce (e.g., TikTok live sales), and enhanced educational resilience for off-grid communities relying on solar power. The results suggest that community managed connectivity is a fundamental driver for educational development and social discovery, ultimately empowering geographically isolated populations to thrive while preserving their unique cultural heritage.