Putting Populist Pledges Into Action May Bankrupt Us All; Thai Opinion

[DLock]

2. There is another side to the equation: taxation. You can spend anything you like if it balances and doesnt result in mutiny among the masses. It is really the longer term tax issue to support welfare etc policies that needs sensible planning so the projects are sustainable over time.

Problem with that is there are people that don't pay their taxes then flee to Montenegro...

The "one tablet per child" programme would amount to 800,000 computers at a cost of about Bt4 billion. But it remains to be seen how this project would contribute to the children's development - especially those living in rural areas with no broadband coverage.

The one laptop per child program has had a lot of success in africa and brazil, i'm sure they'll do fine without broadband. Internet isn't needed here.

If every kid had a tablet where they can all share the same "book" it would be an improvement over the donated jumble of books that the whole class has to share. Imagine having to teach a class math when everyone has a different math book. ugh.. Also the fact that the tablets have sound maybe the kids will pronounce english words better instead of relying on a teacher that hardly knows english themselves.

The best part I like about the one laptop per child project is that it's not simply about giving kids laptops, it's about education and using the laptops as a tool to further it, so the organisation actually goes out and educates people, makes sure they know how to use the technology as well as how to fix it, etc.

It's probably the only thing I support and was actually canceled before in 2006 when Taksin was ousted so it's not some new thing they thought up for the election.

Hippo, I dont think anyone will argue that if it could be done properly, it is a good thing.

However you research is flawed on the One laptop per Child initiative. There are approximately 2million laptops deployed, most in South America. Africa has done poorly. I also question PC's in Africa when money could be better spent on providing clean water, HIV prevention and Malaria...but thats another story.

You mentioned that if they had tablet PC they could all have the same book. Why not give them the same book today for 50 baht? They cant even get that right.

$166 per tablet is a lot of money, although not enough for an actual tablet PC.

A good friend of mine, John Wood, set up Room to Read setting up libraries for poor communities world wide. He figures that a $2000 library could support 400 kids. He has done fantastic work worldwide and I am humbled by his effort and success.

So, my point is not just that the 1 Tablet per kid initiative is unworkable, its that the 4Billion could do so much more to help kids in school.

I provide scholarships for 20+ kids. The reason is simple - their farming families cannot afford it and the village schools don't go much beyond grade 7. I provide money for school fees, which are actually very low, but more importantly transport to city schools, books, uniforms, incidentals and in a few cases full-board. It is not expensive, but it is the only way these kids can stay in school and break the cycle of poverty for their family. Not one kid has failed or dropped out.

I give them laptops, and in all but one case (I found Japanese porn on it) they treasure it and I can see the difference it can make.

So, I'm not against the tablet in schools, but I see so much better ways to use that money. The education system is not ready for tablet PC's yet. keep the kids in school longer.

The election promise was just that...a promise that will never see the light of day en masse.

[Britannia]

2. There is another side to the equation: taxation. You can spend anything you like if it balances and doesnt result in mutiny among the masses. It is really the longer term tax issue to support welfare etc policies that needs sensible planning so the projects are sustainable over time.

Problem with that is there are people that don't pay their taxes then flee to Montenegro...

The "one tablet per child" programme would amount to 800,000 computers at a cost of about Bt4 billion. But it remains to be seen how this project would contribute to the children's development - especially those living in rural areas with no broadband coverage.

The one laptop per child program has had a lot of success in africa and brazil, i'm sure they'll do fine without broadband. Internet isn't needed here.

If every kid had a tablet where they can all share the same "book" it would be an improvement over the donated jumble of books that the whole class has to share. Imagine having to teach a class math when everyone has a different math book. ugh.. Also the fact that the tablets have sound maybe the kids will pronounce english words better instead of relying on a teacher that hardly knows english themselves.

The best part I like about the one laptop per child project is that it's not simply about giving kids laptops, it's about education and using the laptops as a tool to further it, so the organisation actually goes out and educates people, makes sure they know how to use the technology as well as how to fix it, etc.

It's probably the only thing I support and was actually canceled before in 2006 when Taksin was ousted so it's not some new thing they thought up for the election.

Interesting. I am also all for upgrading the education, and agree with the use of and education with computers, at the risk of repeating myself To a child of 5 I would consider a computer would be viewed as a toy not as a learning tool.

The parents probably know nothing, so can not contribute with homework etc. the teachers are not trained so that needs sorting

And I believe children 10 years + learn at an accelerated pace

I am all for it, but not for 5-6-7 year olds

[DLock]

If anyone is interested, you can read about the OLPC program here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Laptop_per_Child

There are some really smart people, companies, money and support behind OLPC and it has still done poorly.

It would only have taken 15 minutes of research on Google for Yingluck to realize that this promise was hollow and unrealistic.

I'm not seeing the Thaksin fanboys supporting Yingluck here....

[hyperdimension]

Still, the reality of 176 baht/day ($6) is a pittance. Sad state of affairs all around.

That's if you compare with wages in other countries in amount only and not in terms of purchasing power. 6 USD is a "pittance" in the USA, but 176 THB can buy a very good meal in Thailand. Most Thais would not even usually spend that much for one meal.

If you are a tourist or a new expatriate, you will keep converting every monetary value from THB into your home currency to determine whether something is expensive. But once you have lived here for some time you will see monetary values only in THB most of the time.

Most people across the country get by on 5K to 10K THB per month, and most accept it and are not starving. It might seem small to farangs who are accustomed to higher standards and higher expenses of living, but Thailand is different to their home countries.

[hyperdimension]

It would only have taken 15 minutes of research on Google for Yingluck to realize that this promise was hollow and unrealistic.

As I stated earlier, they all probably knew themselves that "this promise was hollow and unrealistic". But they also knew that the naive people would fall for it.

[notime]

How to pay for these and other policies for advancing Thailand?

How about taxing Farang more! But than, as it is, there are not enough Farang and more will go home if they feel another screw. So ... maybe give Farang the rights to own landed property (1 rai) and give them retirement and other long stay visas. Many would happily pay some property taxes if their land titles and visas were guaranteed. And lot's more could come, hire Thai workers, eat at Thai restaurants, buy locally made cars, massage, food, hair-cut and pay more to Thai government coffers. But hey, are these Farang "aliens" human? Can we trust them not to steal all the land from Thailand? Wouldn't that increase the cost of growing rice? Maybe we just don't like Farang and want Thailand for Thai only? Oh well .. don't think about tablet computers any more than. They were invented by Farang. I guess there are no easy solutions to stupidity and high expectations.

[OlafStapleton]

Do you speak to your friendly 7/11 staff in Thai or do you expect then to communicate in English?

I not speak English, Thai not speak Hungary

Have to speak to Thai in Thai.

Strange but true

If I have mirror visor on m/c helmet down and speak Thai, every Thai understand me.

If they see white face, they not understand me speak Thai, try to speak English to me but I not understand English!

(I read/write English but not good and slow much use dictionary, TV post help me English, I get better)

[DLock]

It would only have taken 15 minutes of research on Google for Yingluck to realize that this promise was hollow and unrealistic.

As I stated earlier, they all probably knew themselves that "this promise was hollow and unrealistic". But they also knew that the naive people would fall for it.

Hyper, sadly, you are correct.

What does mystify me however is the foreigners also supporting Thaksin and his populist, yet hollow promises.

Why is that? Are they influenced by the Thai gf and farming family? Do they not understand history? Do they truly believe that Abhisit was so bad and that Thaksin is a better option?

The election promises did nothing for them personally. No credit cards for them. No rice subsidy. No tablet PC. No minimum wage increase.

I am at a loss to explain the support for Thaksin by foreigners who have lived through his reign, or spent 10 minutes on Google reading up on him.

This is not an attack on anyone. I am honestly interested in why any foreigner would support Thaksin.

None have challenged any of my arguments to Yinglucks promises yet and on the other Abhisit thread are poor arguments.

Stand up and be heard people. I welcome the debate.

[Jingthing]

Language isn't a problem at 7-11. Ask for your brand by name, or point. It isn't a bank.

Next ...

[Jingthing]

It would only have taken 15 minutes of research on Google for Yingluck to realize that this promise was hollow and unrealistic.

As I stated earlier, they all probably knew themselves that "this promise was hollow and unrealistic". But they also knew that the naive people would fall for it.

Hyper, sadly, you are correct.

What does mystify me however is the foreigners also supporting Thaksin and his populist, yet hollow promises.

Why is that? Are they influenced by the Thai gf and farming family? Do they not understand history? Do they truly believe that Abhisit was so bad and that Thaksin is a better option?

The election promises did nothing for them personally. No credit cards for them. No rice subsidy. No tablet PC. No minimum wage increase.

I am at a loss to explain the support for Thaksin by foreigners who have lived through his reign, or spent 10 minutes on Google reading up on him.

This is not an attack on anyone. I am honestly interested in why any foreigner would support Thaksin.

None have challenged any of my arguments to Yinglucks promises yet and on the other Abhisit thread are poor arguments.

Stand up and be heard people. I welcome the debate.

I would actually like to do a poll about foreign approval of Thaksin of those who lived through his previous regime IN Thailand, and those who didn't. I think the approval for Thaksin would indeed be LOWER among those of us who were here back then. But it's clear to me the mods don't want political topics opened up by members; the policy is to talk politics only in response to news items.

[badmedicine]

The "one tablet per child" programme would amount to 800,000 computers at a cost of about Bt4 billion. But it remains to be seen how this project would contribute to the children's development - especially those living in rural areas with no broadband coverage.

SATIRE

Hoho! Talk about missing the point! Next they'll be whingeing that these tablets will all be useless in 2 years time, broken, outdated, or unable to use the latest technology in 2014.

The point is someone will get the contract for supplying these locally. It'll make huge sums of money for some particular coalition of business partners and employ at least, oh I don't know, a few thousand Thais. They'll also no doubt be plenty of money to be made for coming up with the crappy software to run them and providing 3G, Wifi or some other broadband access nationwide.

There will no doubt then be a spin-off into exporting the same crappy models to underprivileged African kids paid for by UN and other charities, or just mineral rich African gov'ts who are also doing other kinds of business with certain Thai entrreprenuers, and thus further stimulating the "Thai economy" no end...

(edit: just remembered to add the title in red...)

[badmedicine]

I think the approval for Thaksin would indeed be LOWER among those of us who were here back then.

If I did a straw poll of folks I've known since back then...yup, I'd say that's about right. Most of the pro-Thaksin foreigners I've met are people who came after 2006 and just heard 'military coup got rid of a democratcially elected PM'. They plugged that in to their Western media vocabulary translated and came up with the automatic response: "ooooh, that guy must be good, and the coup-makers must be bad. I ain't stupid..."

[DLock]

The "one tablet per child" programme would amount to 800,000 computers at a cost of about Bt4 billion. But it remains to be seen how this project would contribute to the children's development - especially those living in rural areas with no broadband coverage.

SATIRE

Hoho! Talk about missing the point! Next they'll be whingeing that these tablets will all be useless in 2 years time, broken, outdated, or unable to use the latest technology in 2014.

The point is someone will get the contract for supplying these locally. It'll make huge sums of money for some particular coalition of business partners and employ at least, oh I don't know, a few thousand Thais. They'll also no doubt be plenty of money to be made for coming up with the crappy software to run them and providing 3G, Wifi or some other broadband access nationwide.

There will no doubt then be a spin-off into exporting the same crappy models to underprivileged African kids paid for by UN and other charities, or just mineral rich African gov'ts who are also doing other kinds of business with certain Thai entrreprenuers, and thus further stimulating the "Thai economy" no end...

(edit: just remembered to add the title in red...)

Ideally I'd agree with you, if the Tablet PC budget was $600-$700 per device.

There would be plenty of room for the Thai "Investor" who sat on the board of the technology company.

But at $166 per device there is no room for the Investors "share", yet alone to make the device.

Remember Thai "shareholders" want money up front for their contacts + part of the back end and they don't work for a few %.

So, I think it is you who might have missed the point. There will be no Tablets. This is a non starter.

Edit - just saw your edit to satire...but I think you only added that when you went back and read the string in full. It wasn't satire when you wrote it.

[hyperdimension]

It would only have taken 15 minutes of research on Google for Yingluck to realize that this promise was hollow and unrealistic.

As I stated earlier, they all probably knew themselves that "this promise was hollow and unrealistic". But they also knew that the naive people would fall for it.

Hyper, sadly, you are correct.

What does mystify me however is the foreigners also supporting Thaksin and his populist, yet hollow promises.

Many are against coups as they are technically undemocratic. They would like democracy (i.e. the will of the people) to be upheld. They do not want to see unelected elites like the military and higher institutions interfering for their own interests as has happened in the past. Some even accept that Thaksin is a corrupt self-serving despot, yet still think that he is the better choice (the lesser evil) to lead the country than anyone "installed" by "the establishment" as Abhisit has been claimed to be. They also probably know that Thaksin's populist promises are unrealistic, but in the bigger picture they see the reduction of the power of the establishment as more important.

[noahvail]

The "one tablet per child" programme would amount to 800,000 computers at a cost of about Bt4 billion. But it remains to be seen how this project would contribute to the children's development - especially those living in rural areas with no broadband coverage.

SATIRE

Hoho! Talk about missing the point! Next they'll be whingeing that these tablets will all be useless in 2 years time, broken, outdated, or unable to use the latest technology in 2014.

The point is someone will get the contract for supplying these locally. It'll make huge sums of money for some particular coalition of business partners and employ at least, oh I don't know, a few thousand Thais. They'll also no doubt be plenty of money to be made for coming up with the crappy software to run them and providing 3G, Wifi or some other broadband access nationwide.

There will no doubt then be a spin-off into exporting the same crappy models to underprivileged African kids paid for by UN and other charities, or just mineral rich African gov'ts who are also doing other kinds of business with certain Thai entrreprenuers, and thus further stimulating the "Thai economy" no end...

(edit: just remembered to add the title in red...)

Ideally I'd agree with you, if the Tablet PC budget was $600-$700 per device.

There would be plenty of room for the Thai "Investor" who sat on the board of the technology company.

But at $166 per device there is no room for the Investors "share", yet alone to make the device.

Remember Thai "shareholders" want money up front for their contacts + part of the back end and they don't work for a few %.

So, I think it is you who might have missed the point. There will be no Tablets. This is a non starter.

Edit - just saw your edit to satire...but I think you only added that when you went back and read the string in full. It wasn't satire when you wrote it.

Well, if the "investor" only got US$10 per tablet, times 800,000 tablets, he'd get $8 million, or about a quarter of a Billion baht. Not bad for a few hours on the phone.

[DLock]

The "one tablet per child" programme would amount to 800,000 computers at a cost of about Bt4 billion. But it remains to be seen how this project would contribute to the children's development - especially those living in rural areas with no broadband coverage.

SATIRE

Hoho! Talk about missing the point! Next they'll be whingeing that these tablets will all be useless in 2 years time, broken, outdated, or unable to use the latest technology in 2014.

The point is someone will get the contract for supplying these locally. It'll make huge sums of money for some particular coalition of business partners and employ at least, oh I don't know, a few thousand Thais. They'll also no doubt be plenty of money to be made for coming up with the crappy software to run them and providing 3G, Wifi or some other broadband access nationwide.

There will no doubt then be a spin-off into exporting the same crappy models to underprivileged African kids paid for by UN and other charities, or just mineral rich African gov'ts who are also doing other kinds of business with certain Thai entrreprenuers, and thus further stimulating the "Thai economy" no end...

(edit: just remembered to add the title in red...)

Ideally I'd agree with you, if the Tablet PC budget was $600-$700 per device.

There would be plenty of room for the Thai "Investor" who sat on the board of the technology company.

But at $166 per device there is no room for the Investors "share", yet alone to make the device.

Remember Thai "shareholders" want money up front for their contacts + part of the back end and they don't work for a few %.

So, I think it is you who might have missed the point. There will be no Tablets. This is a non starter.

Edit - just saw your edit to satire...but I think you only added that when you went back and read the string in full. It wasn't satire when you wrote it.

Well, if the "investor" only got US$10 per tablet, times 800,000 tablets, he'd get $8 million, or about a quarter of a Billion baht. Not bad for a few hours on the phone.

have you have never done business with influential Thais or had them on your Boards or as "nominees".

If it was that simple as $10 every time you sell something, it is definitely a good investment for him and you. You just put your price up $10.

But he puts no money in, no risk and wants mostly upfront money before you make profit. And he want real shares and Board seats in return.

He always want more, you cant get rid of them and if they have contacts to get you deals, they have other contacts that can make you give them what they want.

I always smile when a foreign Newbie tells me "I've got a Police friend who wants to be a shareholder, so everything will be taken care off".

* Note- all influential Thai's are not bad. Some I have dealt with have been true gentlemen. But they are far outweighed by opportunistic, greedy and uncompromising people. I don't think this is limited to Thai's either.

[chaoyang]

Many are against coups as they are technically undemocratic. They would like democracy (i.e. the will of the people) to be upheld. They do not want to see unelected elites like the military and higher institutions interfering for their own interests as has happened in the past. Some even accept that Thaksin is a corrupt self-serving despot, yet still think that he is the better choice (the lesser evil) to lead the country than anyone "installed" by "the establishment" as Abhisit has been claimed to be. They also probably know that Thaksin's populist promises are unrealistic, but in the bigger picture they see the reduction of the power of the establishment as more important.

Yes, that is my sentiment. I lived in Thailand as Thaksin rose to power, was elected and deposed. At the time of the coup I was relieved -- no more endless announcements about hubs and crackdowns, no more libel suits against the newspapers, etc., etc. But the ensuing years were worse. It became clear to me that the forces that overthrew a democratically elected leader are stalling maturation of governance in the country, as has been the case for a very, very long time.

Thaksin, for all his faults and self-interest, at least brought the poor into play, even if it was for cynical reasons (which might not be the case) -- something the others never really did, despite all the smoke and mirrors about care for rural residents. I believe at this juncture his party is the only way forward. For better or worse, the genie is out of the bottle, so it would be best to accept that.

[myfriendu]

if they cant sell it, eat it ,wear it or <deleted> it they dont want it thats the mentality of those voters.

so the laptop will be sold for whiskey,or chicken fighting

[scorecard]

What did we have under Abhisit's rule?

- Relations with neighboring countries at its worst, to the brink of war with Cambodia.

- Worst ever human rights record in Thailand's history.

- Highest debt in Thailand's history.

It can't get much worse. Just more crappy reporting by TheNation.

Ha ha ha ha ha - is that the best you can post??? :cheesy:

1. Never mind that hun sen is playing a nasty game for his own political reasons, never mind that the now brainless PAD folks (no friends of abhisit) have stirred this situation way beyond necessary.

2. You are wrong.

3. You are wrong.

4. Half agree with your commenst about the nation.

[scorecard]

Many are against coups as they are technically undemocratic. They would like democracy (i.e. the will of the people) to be upheld. They do not want to see unelected elites like the military and higher institutions interfering for their own interests as has happened in the past. Some even accept that Thaksin is a corrupt self-serving despot, yet still think that he is the better choice (the lesser evil) to lead the country than anyone "installed" by "the establishment" as Abhisit has been claimed to be. They also probably know that Thaksin's populist promises are unrealistic, but in the bigger picture they see the reduction of the power of the establishment as more important.

Yes, that is my sentiment. I lived in Thailand as Thaksin rose to power, was elected and deposed. At the time of the coup I was relieved -- no more endless announcements about hubs and crackdowns, no more libel suits against the newspapers, etc., etc. But the ensuing years were worse. It became clear to me that the forces that overthrew a democratically elected leader are stalling maturation of governance in the country, as has been the case for a very, very long time.

Thaksin, for all his faults and self-interest, at least brought the poor into play, even if it was for cynical reasons (which might not be the case) -- something the others never really did, despite all the smoke and mirrors about care for rural residents. I believe at this juncture his party is the only way forward. For better or worse, the genie is out of the bottle, so it would be best to accept that.

Well which way do you want it? First you criticize thaksin, then you claim 'at least he brought the poor into play - something the others never did' (sounds to me like praising him), then you you say 'despite all the smoke and mirrors about care for rural residents (sounds like criticizing him).

So how / why is his party the best way forward? More manipulation of the poor, no policy stated whatever in the last few weeks about real / constrctive policy and action to really aleviate poverty?

[EnhancePlus]

If they do raise the minimum wage I'm sure you're going to see a lot of places sans the 25 do nothings standing around looking bored and checking for their latest SMS in one minute intervals.

[badmedicine]

Edit - just saw your edit to satire...but I think you only added that when you went back and read the string in full. It wasn't satire when you wrote it.

You do me an injustice, there, possibly to save your own behind from completely misreading the post. But you did at least validate my reason for going back to add the word 'Satire'. If you've been keeping up with TV, you'll know that the other day a report was posted from 'NottheNation' - also satirical - which large numbers of TV readers took for real. It was in light of that I thought I'd best point out the obvious, and good job I did too by your response.

FWIW, I agree, the whole tablet thing was a dumb idea and will be dropped ASAP. I also think they're going to be doing a U-turn on the 300 baht min' wage scheme; they obviously didn't pay much attention to the vociferous protests from the rich when Abhisit's lot raised it by ten baht or so to 169–./hr. Yingluck's dug herself her firsthole now, though (I expect it to be one of many, and not by any means the deepest...), as she's already re-asserted this policy.

"There could be trouble ahead..."

[btsfreak]

I read an interview in the Bangkok Post with the ecomonic advisor from Pueh Thai a couple of days before the election. The tablet PC was his idea and he spoke of costs of 2000Baht per piece. Now basically, a "Tablet PC" for 2000Baht will more or less be a gaming device without any real functionality. But this is what the kids want. Gaming obsession is an immense and absolutely untackled problem in Thai society (similar in European ones, I admit).

The result will just be that you will see half of the Thai children in the streets gazing and diddling on tablet PCs in busses, malls and the streets. A device for that price cannot have enough functionality AND quality for an educational instrument.

Everyone gets what he asks for...

[letitbe]

I read an interview in the Bangkok Post with the ecomonic advisor from Pueh Thai a couple of days before the election. The tablet PC was his idea and he spoke of costs of 2000Baht per piece. Now basically, a "Tablet PC" for 2000Baht will more or less be a gaming device without any real functionality. But this is what the kids want. Gaming obsession is an immense and absolutely untackled problem in Thai society (similar in European ones, I admit).

The result will just be that you will see half of the Thai children in the streets gazing and diddling on tablet PCs in busses, malls and the streets. A device for that price cannot have enough functionality AND quality for an educational instrument.

Everyone gets what he asks for...

not really if you just want to improve 5-6 year olds reading and arithmetic skills. This is easily achievable on very limited power computers or gaming devises such as leap frog as long aqs you have imaginative software geared towards children of that age. However simply putting on good sesimy street and like DVD's would have same effect. A friend bought some educational games from Singapore which could probably run on almost anything. The animation and general quality and fun young kids had with this while learning a lot was quite amazing. It would only let kids progress through games by imaginative education based games for arithmetic reading and many other logical and motor skills. They had to earn tokens or money before being able to do things like enter next land groom their virtual pets grow plants earn badges and the rest.

But chance of this new government ever having sense or ability to put that sort of thing into play are zero so it will be useless and if they are ever given which is doubtful they will be left in corner after about 1 hour or fall apart. But what an opportunity for one of Taksins clan or friends to cream a nice little bit or rather a very large amount from treasury. You have to sort of admire Taksins constant ability to scan and rob country blind. If only all that energy went into really trying to improve poors lot Thailand would be envy of Asia instead of being a trough for Taksin and the others to fill themselves up on.

[EnhancePlus]

I read an interview in the Bangkok Post with the ecomonic advisor from Pueh Thai a couple of days before the election. The tablet PC was his idea and he spoke of costs of 2000Baht per piece. Now basically, a "Tablet PC" for 2000Baht will more or less be a gaming device without any real functionality. But this is what the kids want. Gaming obsession is an immense and absolutely untackled problem in Thai society (similar in European ones, I admit).

The result will just be that you will see half of the Thai children in the streets gazing and diddling on tablet PCs in busses, malls and the streets. A device for that price cannot have enough functionality AND quality for an educational instrument.

Everyone gets what he asks for...

not really if you just want to improve 5-6 year olds reading and arithmetic skills. This is easily achievable on very limited power computers or gaming devises such as leap frog as long aqs you have imaginative software geared towards children of that age. However simply putting on good sesimy street and like DVD's would have same effect. A friend bought some educational games from Singapore which could probably run on almost anything. The animation and general quality and fun young kids had with this while learning a lot was quite amazing. It would only let kids progress through games by imaginative education based games for arithmetic reading and many other logical and motor skills. They had to earn tokens or money before being able to do things like enter next land groom their virtual pets grow plants earn badges and the rest.

But chance of this new government ever having sense or ability to put that sort of thing into play are zero so it will be useless and if they are ever given which is doubtful they will be left in corner after about 1 hour or fall apart. But what an opportunity for one of Taksins clan or friends to cream a nice little bit or rather a very large amount from treasury. You have to sort of admire Taksins constant ability to scan and rob country blind. If only all that energy went into really trying to improve poors lot Thailand would be envy of Asia instead of being a trough for Taksin and the others to fill themselves up on.

How about if the government promoted designing these programs through their higher learning facilities. Having students make a contest out of it.

[OlafStapleton]

I read an interview in the Bangkok Post with the ecomonic advisor from Pueh Thai a couple of days before the election. The tablet PC was his idea and he spoke of costs of 2000Baht per piece. Now basically, a "Tablet PC" for 2000Baht will more or less be a gaming device without any real functionality. But this is what the kids want. Gaming obsession is an immense and absolutely untackled problem in Thai society (similar in European ones, I admit).

The result will just be that you will see half of the Thai children in the streets gazing and diddling on tablet PCs in busses, malls and the streets. A device for that price cannot have enough functionality AND quality for an educational instrument.

Everyone gets what he asks for...

You wrong

Business PC cheap

Game PC expensive

Play game need much power.

[NCFC]

Whenever Marxist-style policies are imposed, they always backfire.

Take, for example PT's plan for college graduates to be paid 15,000Baht per month. How will employers react? By hiring non-graduates to do the work instead, at 7000Bt. Result? A spike in the number of unemployed college graduates. Brilliant.

The same applies to the 300baht minimum wage -- employers will simply employ fewer people or drag in more illegal migrants from Laos and Burma.

It's not rocket science -- but still beyond the grasp of the thinkers at PT, apparently.

As an employer of Thai graduates I can tell you that 15,000 is no great shakes for a new graduate. And within a couple of years they'll have doubled that to 30,000 per month.

[Throatwobbler]

Then in my opinion, it is ridiculous, to introduce computers to children of such a young age, even before they have learnt any mathematics or language skills.

To a child of 5 I would consider a computer would be viewed as a toy not as a learning tool.

Save the 4Billion, direct it elsewhere

You never go to Thai school, Thai children never learn math or language skill.

Only learn to obey and repeat and read/write Thai.

Go to 7-11 all staff high school graduate, you see them add without calculator?

I teach maths at a Thai school. The level of maths of some kids would put you to shame. You judge Thai kids maths ability because of the people who work at 7-11. Look at the bottom 10% of any country in the world and they will not be much better. Your comments just show your ignorance.

Now there are real problems with the Thai maths curriculum. They learn far to much too early but that's the topic for another thread.

[Throatwobbler]

Ok, now lets tackle the increased minimum wage to 300 baht per day.

This one is a little more tricky because minimum wage is defined by province, with Phuket being the most expensive at 221baht per day and Bangkok being at 215baht per day and the national average is 176per day as per 2011. So this one could be hidden in the fine print. Google this if you want references.

So, if we assume the "average" daily wage will move to 300baht per day, that is a 70% increase that Employers must endure.

And if that is an "average", what will that mean for Phuket and Bangkok who are already 25% higher than average.

How many companies can afford to increase salaries by 70%? I would guess, not many, especially those where salary is their biggest monthly expense.

Again, a populist policy to appeal to the masses, but not based in reality or sustainability.

Mr. Smochai may in fact be able to buy little Somchai that IPAD for his other kids now...

To do the math:

300 - 221= 79 baht increase

79 baht is 35 percent of 221

so that is a 35 percent increase, not a70 percent increase

It also begs the question what is a livable wage in Thailand anyway. So the current 221 baht/day is fair? I've never been able to understand how someone can afford just basic housing and food on that.

And the headline of this story: Will these things really "bankrupt us all"?

Does anyone believe this is an unbiased newspaper?

Lets use your math. But why would you use 221baht per day? I explained that is the highest in the nation and in Phuket.

You should be using the "average" wage which as I also explained is 176BPD

300 - 176 = 124

124 baht is 70% of 176

so that is a 70% increase on the "average" daily daily salary.

How did you do in school with comprehension and math?

This just prooves my point in a previous post just above. People here complain about the lack of maths skills in kids here but are woefully inadequate themselves.

[Throatwobbler]

2. There is another side to the equation: taxation. You can spend anything you like if it balances and doesnt result in mutiny among the masses. It is really the longer term tax issue to support welfare etc policies that needs sensible planning so the projects are sustainable over time.

Problem with that is there are people that don't pay their taxes then flee to Montenegro...

The "one tablet per child" programme would amount to 800,000 computers at a cost of about Bt4 billion. But it remains to be seen how this project would contribute to the children's development - especially those living in rural areas with no broadband coverage.

The one laptop per child program has had a lot of success in africa and brazil, i'm sure they'll do fine without broadband. Internet isn't needed here.

If every kid had a tablet where they can all share the same "book" it would be an improvement over the donated jumble of books that the whole class has to share. Imagine having to teach a class math when everyone has a different math book. ugh.. Also the fact that the tablets have sound maybe the kids will pronounce english words better instead of relying on a teacher that hardly knows english themselves.

The best part I like about the one laptop per child project is that it's not simply about giving kids laptops, it's about education and using the laptops as a tool to further it, so the organisation actually goes out and educates people, makes sure they know how to use the technology as well as how to fix it, etc.

It's probably the only thing I support and was actually canceled before in 2006 when Taksin was ousted so it's not some new thing they thought up for the election.

Hippo, I dont think anyone will argue that if it could be done properly, it is a good thing.

However you research is flawed on the One laptop per Child initiative. There are approximately 2million laptops deployed, most in South America. Africa has done poorly. I also question PC's in Africa when money could be better spent on providing clean water, HIV prevention and Malaria...but thats another story.

You mentioned that if they had tablet PC they could all have the same book. Why not give them the same book today for 50 baht? They cant even get that right.

$166 per tablet is a lot of money, although not enough for an actual tablet PC.

A good friend of mine, John Wood, set up Room to Read setting up libraries for poor communities world wide. He figures that a $2000 library could support 400 kids. He has done fantastic work worldwide and I am humbled by his effort and success.

So, my point is not just that the 1 Tablet per kid initiative is unworkable, its that the 4Billion could do so much more to help kids in school.

I provide scholarships for 20+ kids. The reason is simple - their farming families cannot afford it and the village schools don't go much beyond grade 7. I provide money for school fees, which are actually very low, but more importantly transport to city schools, books, uniforms, incidentals and in a few cases full-board. It is not expensive, but it is the only way these kids can stay in school and break the cycle of poverty for their family. Not one kid has failed or dropped out.

I give them laptops, and in all but one case (I found Japanese porn on it) they treasure it and I can see the difference it can make.

So, I'm not against the tablet in schools, but I see so much better ways to use that money. The education system is not ready for tablet PC's yet. keep the kids in school longer.

The election promise was just that...a promise that will never see the light of day en masse.

I'm sure the kid with the Japanese porn treasured his laptop too. Probably more than the others.