Thaksin Eyes $100 Us Computers

[george]

PM eyes $100 US computers

BANGKOK: -- The government plans to discuss with experts from the US an opportunity to buy personal computers for US$100 each for Thai high-school students.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra told a seminar for 101 administrators of Thai Rath Wittaya Schools yesterday that specialists from the US had said they could produce a personal computer costing US$100 (Bt4,183).

If they can do that, he said, the government will buy them for students.

“The government has a project to buy around 250,000 computers for students in high schools within two years,” he said. “Then in the following two years it will try to provide computers for students in both elementary and secondary schools.”

Thaksin also said the Education Ministry was putting more effort into teaching English in schools because the language would broaden students’ knowledge via the Internet.

He added that English should not only be taught in English class but reinforced in other subjects by using English-language textbooks.

--The Nation 2005-07-17

[Nam Kao]

The rich Thai-chinese kids in the cities may get one, poor ones in the country lucky to get paper to write on

[Sandstone Art]

Another chance for kickbacks for securing the contract of 250,000 computers

[Pattaya_Fox]

I dread to think what sort of computers could be available for US $100.

I wonder if these will be so called reconditioned cast offs which no-one else would want.

Beware...the repair bills will cost a fortune and the shipping costs probably extortiionate.

[Khutan]

The rich Thai-chinese kids in the cities may get one, poor ones in the country lucky to get paper to write on

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't agree, I buy computers for the school in the village, including free internet and high resolution printers etc.

I also know two other friends who do the same (similar) for their respective villages. I know those schools aren't interested in that stuff from the government, they have alot already.

Sort of time for those who can to help.

[eljeque]

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra told a seminar for 101 administrators of Thai Rath Wittaya Schools yesterday that specialists from the US had said they could produce a personal computer costing US$100 (Bt4,183).

If the US can produce them for $100, then most certainly Thailand can do the same, unless the US is selling used computers. That is fine, and although some repairs might be necessary, I am sure that the Thais could repair them cheaply. I do wonder what is th availability of used computers in Thailand, and at what price.

[chownah]

I also know two other friends who do the same (similar) for their respective villages. I know those schools aren't interested in that stuff from the government, they have alot already.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't understand your meaning here. Can you please explain?

[Gazza]

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra told a seminar for 101 administrators of Thai Rath Wittaya Schools yesterday that specialists from the US had said they could produce a personal computer costing US$100 (Bt4,183).

That's a helluva cheap PC considering that it must be solar powered. What with the present energy crisis and all.

[blackbooks]

Hello people - I'm new here. Be gentle with me.

I think Thaksin etc are referring to this initiative in the US to create $100 laptops:

http://laptop.media.mit.edu/

It's a great idea - mind you, Dell are already knocking out laptops for $500 and desktops for $300 in the US, so it's not that far off for everyone.

Best

Chris

[Thetyim]

That's a helluva cheap PC considering that it must be solar powered. What with the present energy crisis and all.

I think you had better read Blackbooks link.

They are going to we wind up.

It's true you read it .

[Gazza]

That's a helluva cheap PC considering that it must be solar powered. What with the present energy crisis and all.

I think you had better read Blackbooks link.

They are going to we wind up.

It's true you read it .

You're right. I thought you were winding me up.