Microsoft Sees Thailand As It Development Base

[george]

Microsoft sees Thailand's potential as IT development base

BANGKOK: -- Thailand has potential for becoming the web services-related software development base and should count more on the information technology (IT) industry to boost the economy, according to an industry executive.

Andrew Bean, President of Microsoft (Thailand) Co, said the planned visit by Bill Gates, the world’s richest and founder of Microsoft, to Thailand tomorrow evidenced the awareness of the country’s potential for becoming a manufacturing base of software products and services, particularly service content that links mobile phones with computers around the world, for export.

The service content could be created by web services technology. Because of this, he said, the Thai government should accelerate developing personnel skills in web services to put the country at an advantage over other ones.

He stated people in Thailand had currently counted on up to 23 million mobile phones and 5 million computers, and the number is projected to continue to increase. The government should consolidate the local market base and develop production technology for export.

At present, Mr. Andrew said, the software market in Thailand has a total value of only US$222 million while the global software market totals $2.5 billion.

He added the Thai market value accounts for only a half of that of Singapore where there is a population of only 4-5 million. So, there is much room for IT industry growth in Thailand.

He suggested the Thai government include the software development plan in its policy since Microsoft viewed Thailand could become a manufacturing base of IT products.

--TNA 2005-06-29

Thailand opens door to Gates

Business Day

BANGKOK: -- Today brings significant changes to Thailand’s software industry as Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, the world’s largest software producer, makes an official visit to the country.

Gates will meet with the Thai prime minister and they will co-sign three memorandums of understanding (MOU), ie, an MOU on education with the Ministry of Education, an MOU on support for the e-Government project with the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology and an MOU on development of Web services as a central marketplace to conduct transactions via the Internet. Also, his visit to Asia indicates his interest in expanding his software business in this region, where the IT market value has recently surged remarkably.

Also, it is expected that the Asian software market will see higher growth than other key markets, ie, North America and Europe. Although there is widespread use of Microsoft software in Asia, copyright infringement is also rampant. In addition, governments in several countries in the region have implemented policies to support the use of open-source software. Under these circumstances, Microsoft cannot afford to remain idle and has had to adopt a more aggressive approach to its business operations. Thus, the coming of Gates to Thailand will undoubtedly lead to changes in the tack of the Thai software industry.

The government has previously made an effort to stimulate the software industry as a stellar industry because the trend in software use shows an increase each year. However, most software that is used domestically is produced overseas, which causes Thailand to lose considerable foreign exchange. The domestic software industry needs to be driven more to reduce the import volume of, and dependence on, foreign software.

--Business Day, Thailand 2005-06-30

[hughden]

I am sure that the proportionately smaller market in Thailand is an indicator of the development opportunities rather than the propensity to use pirated software rather than licensed products........

[mnoorsapl]

"..planned visit by Bill Gates, the world’s richest and founder of Microsoft, to Thailand.."

welcome to Thailand. How about setting up Microsoft Resort in Phuket for Thaivisa.com expat .

[penzman]

I am sure that the proportionately smaller market in Thailand is an indicator of the development opportunities rather than the propensity to use pirated software rather than licensed products........

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Billy boy probably wants to set foot here in order to counter software piracy in SE Asia.

He will be able to do so the day he sets prices reasonably according to what people and small businesses can afford.

[TokyoT]

Na – he’s just in the neighborhood (visiting Japan right now to iron out some deals) and has to stop in Thailand to visit if TGF. His “buffalo” needs a reboot – look for him down at the Nana car park around 1 AM.

[Pattaya_Fox]

Na – he’s just in the neighborhood (visiting Japan right now to iron out some deals) and has to stop in Thailand to visit if TGF.  His “buffalo” needs a reboot – look for him down at the Nana car park around 1 AM. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Lets hope he doesn`t get any Bugs in his Software

[mickmac]

Does that mean that Thailand will become an IT "HUB" ? Maybe this time for real?

[OliverWard]

At present, Mr. Andrew said, the software market in Thailand has a total value of only US$222 million while the global software market totals $2.5 billion.

Are my maths off or is $222million not about 10% of $2.5 billion? I can't believe Thailand represents almost 10% of the worlds software market. Must be a few 0's missing there, I googled a report which claimed the world software market was about $1,500 billion in 2000. Probably $2,500 billion now.

OliverWard

[tso310]

In fact Bill is also in Bangkok to check on his other major investment in Thailand, Pantip Plaza. Bill set up Pantiup Plaza to make sure that absolutely everyone would be using W$ndows. A sale is a sale and besides he can cut out the middle men with Pantip and besides he and all of his board preder Linux. Bill is also keen to pick up the new Spielberg movie when he's there preferably a Chinese version. He really likes the retro look you get with the washed out colour effect from a camcorder copy.

[george]

Bill Gates ready to help Thailand develop ICT, says PM

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra today disclosed Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft Corporation, was willing to help Thailand develop the information and communication technology (ICT) system.

The premier gave the world’s richest IT mogul and a management team of Microsoft, who begain visit to Thailand, a reception and hosted a welcome breakfast this morning.

He said he exchanged a vision with Mr. Bill Gates on the ICT development, particularly on how to use ICT to help developing countries.

The Microsoft founder proposed to help Thailand develop the ICT system in three areas.

First is to facilitate the implementation of the E-Government Program.

Second is to develop a website service or Thailand.net, which could contribute to the inspiration of the software development.

Third is to support the E-Learning Program by delegating the company’s staff to help train 20,000 teachers and 60,000 students.

The proposed assistance is considered huge in value, he said, adding that the website service development is a concept he had proposed with Mr. Bill Gates’ representative, who paid great attention to supporting it.

On the availability of Internet in schools around the country, Mr. Thaksin said all schools would be accessible to the Internet system within the next two years.

Key hindrances to the system access are insufficient supply of computers, lack of IT literacy among teachers, and inaccessibility to the network system by some schools.

The premier said he was considering whether the communication network system in schools because the service is rather costly.

--TNA 2005-06-30

[snoophound]

Microsoft and Value??

Must be a deal in the offing here.

They dont wheel Bill into a country unless there are some BIG ops to close.

Bill Gates ready to help Thailand develop ICT, says PM 

BANGKOK: --  Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra today disclosed Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft Corporation, was willing to help Thailand develop the information and communication technology (ICT) system.

The premier gave the world’s richest IT mogul and a management team of Microsoft, who begain visit to Thailand, a reception and hosted a welcome breakfast this morning.

He said he exchanged a vision with Mr. Bill Gates on the ICT development, particularly on how to use ICT to help developing countries.

The Microsoft founder proposed to help Thailand develop the ICT system in three areas.

First is to facilitate the implementation of the E-Government Program.

Second is to develop a website service or Thailand.net, which could contribute to the inspiration of the software development.

Third is to support the E-Learning Program by delegating the company’s staff to help train 20,000 teachers and 60,000 students.

The proposed assistance is considered huge in value, he said, adding that the website service development is a concept he had proposed with Mr. Bill Gates’ representative, who paid great attention to supporting it.

On the availability of Internet in schools around the country, Mr. Thaksin said all schools would be accessible to the Internet system within the next two years.

Key hindrances to the system access are insufficient supply of computers, lack of IT literacy among teachers, and inaccessibility to the network system by some schools. 

The premier said he was considering whether the communication network system in schools because the service is rather costly.

--TNA 2005-06-30

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Pattaya_Fox]

I wonder where Shin Corp comes into this?

[ace]

I wonder where Shin Corp comes into this?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Indeed. Once MS cough up the funding SC will kindly offer to implement the "information and communication technology (ICT) system" at a small cost, perhaps roughly equal to, say, all the money they can get off MS.

And that will be the last you hear of it.

Then again, Gate's might look like an affable geek, but he didn't get where he is today by being a sucker, quite the opposite in fact.

Interesting to see who gets burnt here. Probably non-connected Thai public as usual.

[george]

Gates to help Thailand train 20,000 techies

BANGKOK: -- Microsoft founder Bill Gates has agreed to help Thailand improve its information technology by training 20,000 experts, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said on Thursday.

"I have discussed with Bill Gates about how to use and manage technology in a developing country," Thaksin said after the two held talks. Gates will provide assistance to the country's ambitious projects on electronic government, website development and electronic learning, according to the premier.

"Gates will send experts to help train 20,000 teachers and 60,000 students," Thaksin said. Thailand on Wednesday announced plans to become Southeast Asia's second information technology hub behind Singapore within three years.

The Microsoft chief was granted a royal audience with Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at the Chitralada Palace in Bangkok and was due to deliver a keynote speech about the future of software. Gates, one of the world's richest men and philanthropists through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is on a one-day visit to Thailand.

--Agncies 2005-07-01

[greenwanderer108]

Does this mean I won't be able to get the 100 baht versions of all the latest software anymore??