OPINION

Pros and cons of Alibaba partnership 

 

Data these days is often described as the new gold, so it’s not surprising that we need to closely monitor developments in the recent strategic partnership between the Thai government and Alibaba, given the prominence of data sharing to the agreement.
 

Alibaba will invest in a Smart Digital Hub in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor and use its platforms to help sell Thai products and services such as agricultural products and tourist services. Aspart of the deal, Alibaba will get access to the Thai market and data.

 

The agreements are being hailed as a great way to help Thailand accelerate its digital transformation.

 

Alibaba’s systems and knowledge will be shared with local entrepreneurs and officials, Thailand will develop its logistics capabilities using Big Data and artificial intelligence (AI), and precision marketing will take place in an era of smart tourism.

 

But there are also concerns that Alibaba will gain an unfair advantage compared with other operators as it will be integrated into Thailand’s systems and gain unique access to Thailand’s data.

 

So how do the potential benefits and risks measure up?

 

On the plus side:

- The arrangement offers a great opportunity for Thai entrepreneurs to have access to the large Chinese consumer market.

- The Ministry of Industry has promised to work with Alibaba to provide training in digital skills to SMEs across Thailand, including farmers and others in rural areas.

- Alibaba has a unique advantage of scale which is unmatched by any current Thai operator.

 

On the downside:

- Competition in the Thai market may intensify from Chinese vendors.

- The deal may lock Thailand into the relationship with Alibaba and preclude similar and potentially more beneficial arrangements with other global players.

- Alibaba will gain access to confidential data including highly sensitive commercial information.

 

On balance the huge benefits seem to outweigh the potential risks.

 

These kinds of platforms are becoming a necessary part of modern government and business and we must prepare ourselves for a future featuring AI and Big Data.

 

To allay some concerns, the government has said that the deal won’t be exclusive, and the door will be kept open to other global players.

 

But the government must also demonstrate to the public that the arrangement will have good governance, transparency and integrity, that security will be protected, and that training promises will be fulfilled.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30345401

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-05-15

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

But the government must also demonstrate to the public that the arrangement will have good governance, transparency and integrity, that security will be protected, and that training promises will be fulfilled.

 

Respectfully, in what other area does a Thai entity have;

 

"...good governance, transparency and integrity, that security will be protected, and that training promises will be fulfilled..."

 

The far, far, far more likely scenario is that Prayut and his band of cronies just handed Thailand's E-Commerce future over to Alibaba and thus to China. I hope they enjoy their thirty pieces of silver.

 

It will take years and years to truly understand all the damage Prayut and his gang have done to Thailand, and how much the Thai people will suffer for their actions.

 

30 minutes ago, webfact said:

But the government must also demonstrate to the public that the arrangement will have good governance, transparency and integrity, that security will be protected, and that training promises will be fulfilled.

only problem is that the government doesn't see it that way, they see no 'duty' to the public at all in this regard

Ali Baba and the forty thieves.  Open says me.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

To allay some concerns, the government has said that the deal won’t be exclusive, and the door will be kept open to other global players.

 

It's too late for other global players. No durian - no deal.

 

 

Thailand 4.0 has been outsourced. 

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

But the government must also demonstrate to the public that the arrangement will have good governance, transparency and integrity, that security will be protected, and that training promises will be fulfilled.

Has this government ever admitted to any mistake or wrong doing ?  Jack Ma is more liable to have  governance, transparency and integrity over the current government.  He is also more inclined to debate and scrutiny.  

 "Smart Digital Hub in Thailand"

"Smart Hub In Thailand" The Acronym says it all.

49 minutes ago, mikebell said:

Ali Baba and the forty thieves.  Open says me.

 

Open SameSame™ - but different.

3 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

 

Respectfully, in what other area does a Thai entity have;

 

"...good governance, transparency and integrity, that security will be protected, and that training promises will be fulfilled..."

 

The far, far, far more likely scenario is that Prayut and his band of cronies just handed Thailand's E-Commerce future over to Alibaba and thus to China. I hope they enjoy their thirty pieces of silver.

 

It will take years and years to truly understand all the damage Prayut and his gang have done to Thailand, and how much the Thai people will suffer for their actions.

 

Not that i disagree with your post for the most part, but some large Thai companies are extremely well run and managed and not just by Thai standards. Companies like Thai Union Group, SCG to name just a couple.

Prayut sell Thailand to China.

Alibaba will gain access to confidential data including highly sensitive commercial information.

What type of information are we talking about here?
Personal data?
- passport
- bank account
- facebook and social media accounts.
Identity theft type information?
Or
- just general information on holiday destination or medical center visited or hotel rating, etc

I ask because I saw recently that the U.S military has banned all Chinese made mobile phones from it's bases and doesn't allow military personel to buy Chinese phones. The reason is they believe the phones have the ability to be used by Chinese Intelligence agencies. The GPS can be tracked, phone conversations can be tapped and even the camera can be used to capture covert information.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

But the government must also demonstrate to the public that the arrangement will have good governance, transparency and integrity, that security will be protected, and that training promises will be fulfilled.

Good governance - a method or system of government or management. Not haphazard statements, and the word "good" is missing with the junta.

 

Transparency - the junta will only answer questions they want to, forget any awkward ones.

 

Integrity - definition: "adherence to moral and ethical principles". That's a no-no then.

 

Security - who was it in the junta that said a few weeks ago about True, when they allowed customer details to be accessed, that it "wasn't import" or "wasn't a problem".

 

Training promises fulfilled - get rid of corruption, reform the police, hold elections - not one of those promises fulfilled so far, so another one regarding training is just going to be lip service.

 

Alibaba bought already shares of German founded LAZADA.

So they extend only business. Why not?