Thaksin Promises `digital Future'

[george]

PM promises `digital future'

Microsoft to help boost ICT industry

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday that he wants to promote the development of information and communications technology (ICT) in Thailand, as multi-billionaire Bill Gates and his company Microsoft pledged to play a greater role in efforts to make the country more competitive in the global arena.

``We are doing all we can within the government to help promote the development of the ICT industry in the country,'' Mr Thaksin said in his opening speech to welcome Mr Gates, the founder and chairman of Microsoft Corp, at Government House yesterday.

The government, he said, would push to give computer and internet access to every school in the country within the next four years as part of efforts to make Thailand more competitive.

The software industry was one that could benefit from easy access to technology and use the artistic talents of the Thai people, said Mr Thaksin.

``In addition to the development of human resources, our country wants to develop the software industry and therefore we will provide full support for such development. We are trying to attract brainpower to develop this industry,'' he said at a high-powered seminar organised by the government and attended by leading figures from the government and the business sector.

Mr Thaksin's vision of a nation with full access to the internet and computers was seconded by Mr Gates, the world's richest man, who said he was willing to participate in the development of ICT in Thailand. He said Microsoft would help by investing a total of 180 million baht over the next three years in partnership with the government.

The investments, in education and electronic-government, are aimed at helping Thailand to become a ``knowledge-based economy''.

Microsoft will invest US$1m (40m baht) to extend its Partners in Learning educational programme. So far the company has trained 20,000 secondary teachers in how to apply ICT as a teaching tool, and yesterday Mr Gates said Microsoft would be extending the programme to primary schools. The programme is supported by the Ministry of Education.

However, Microsoft will invest the most money in its Thailand.Net project. Mr Gates pledged to spend 136 million baht on sharing software tools and creating new skilled manpower, with plans to train 69,000 web service developers here within the next three years.

``Thailand has great potential to be a leader in web services,'' he said, noting that the nation has many opportunities to grow in terms of creating new services and applications.

``This could bring tremendous benefits for Thai businesses and the economy as a whole,'' he said.

Microsoft will also support the development of electronic-government in Thailand with manpower, technology and know-how to the tune of around four million baht.

The company plans to use the United Kingdom's e-government system as a prototype, whereby various government agencies and ministries can deliver information to each citizen.

``The e-government approach taken by the UK is now being used in 30 different countries,'' Mr Gates noted.

The Microsoft chairman said that he was impressed with the developments taking place in Thailand, especially the greater access to information and personal computers.

``We want to show our commitment to the country and therefore we are implementing these measures to help,'' Mr Gates said.

Mr Thaksin told the heads of various companies to heed the changing times and adapt technology to best benefit their company, or they could lose out in the world trade system.

``Thailand is on the verge of change, a metamorphosis that has not been seen at any other time in the country's history, and once this transformation is complete some people will wake up in a very different environment,'' Mr Thaksin said.

His comments were echoed by Mr Gates, who said that over the next 10 years the world would become a very different one in terms of technology.

He predicted ``revolutionary changes'' and said people would work in a new way. He called this vision of the future the ``digital workshop''

--Bangkok Post 2005-07-01

[chownah]

I love the title, "PM promises `digital future' ".

I think Thaksin also promises that the sun will come up tomorrow.

[ozzydom]

``Thailand is on the verge of change, a metamorphosis that has not been seen at any other time in the country's history, and once this transformation is complete some people will wake up in a very different environment,'' Mr Thaksin said.

I bet the struggling subsistance thai farmer will continue to wake up to the same environment though.

[stumonster]

I love the title, "PM promises `digital future' ".

from his past form I reckon he is just giving thailand the finger....

[chownah]

I love the title, "PM promises `digital future' ".

from his past form I reckon he is just giving thailand the finger....

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hahahhahahahahahha

hahahahahhahahahhah

[Flysiam]

I love the title, "PM promises `digital future' ".

I think Thaksin also promises that the sun will come up tomorrow.

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I, for one, would LOVE to see a list of Mr. Toxin's 'Promises' - might make for an interesting read and analysis!

[PanzerJohn]

I love the title, "PM promises `digital future' ".

I think Thaksin also promises that the sun will come up tomorrow.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I, for one, would LOVE to see a list of Mr. Toxin's 'Promises' - might make for an interesting read and analysis!

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Nice to see the worlds richest man hooking up with Thailands richest man. Wonder if Shincorp will be the distributor/partner in this wonderful and highly profitable enterprise?

[penzman]

I love the title, "PM promises `digital future' ".

from his past form I reckon he is just giving thailand the finger....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Stu, Stu, Stu. Love your replies