Bt50 Million To Be Used To Buy iPads And iPhones For Senators And MPs

[beammeup]

I am personally disgusted with this, but let's look at the bright side: they are being TRANSPARENTLY CORRUPT. There's a SLIGHT chance Thais would see this, but again, I emphasise the word SLIGHT.

I am ~SO~ pushing through with this game concept I'm working with. It's called THAILAND: the BORED Game. It's a game for up to 6 players: The Government, The Opposition, The Red Shirts, The Yellow Shirts, The Military and The Elite. Your objective (playing any of these roles) is to gain and maintain control of areas in Thailand, until you have complete control over the country i.e.: the entire population favours you, or, until the other players give up. You gain control over areas through EVENTS (which are based on real events) etc. It's my way of trying to educate the Thais about the sh*t that's happening right in front of their own shut-eyes.

I would be glad if someone would help me realise this project. Fight back corruption with fun and EDUCATION, that's all I'm sayin.

Just imagine what they are doing untransparently

[ParadiseLost]

I think it is a good idea. In the US they used to do blackberry. I think iPads and iPhones are a much better idea for government.

If used properly, it can make communication easier. They can also get work done on the go. Reply to emails, edit documents, work in reminders and set up meetings and calendar events, etc etc without being stuck to a computer. All this stuff will sync with iCloud automatically.

It's the 21st century. Get used to it.

Wait - they will actually have to do this themselves? So all those personal secretaries will be out of a job?

I see most of these devices being given to kids and cronies. Of course 'stolen' or 'lost' devices will be replaced at tax payers expense too.

[attrayant]

This is not uncommon in Government.

And carjackings are not uncommon in the South Bronx. Seriously, just because something is common doesn't mean it's the right thing to do.

Rank has its privileges and they should have the best tools available.

This is what I call the "government as usual" attitude. "We need the bigger, better, faster of everything!". Government needs to have the right tools, not necessarily the best ones.

I was a program director for the District of Columbia Government since 2006, and in that time we did many proofs of concept and hardware/platform pilots. When the iPhone 3 came out, we bought about 50 of them for a pilot. The device is not made to support a secure and complex email platform (such as Exchange or Lotus Notes). We had to jerry-rig a connection through OWA (that's Microsoft's Outlook Web Access Portal for the non-geeks here) and it seemed to work well enough for quick read-n-reply use cases.

The iPhone's native email client lacks most of the desktop email client's rich feature set, though. For example, you couldn't attach a document to an email you were replying to. There was no BCC field. You couldn't un-send an email that you were having second thoughts about having already sent. Email sent from an iPhone wasn't being archived to the government servers (which is both a statutory and ethics violation in case a citizen files a FOIA request). I kind of doubt that anything like FOIA exists in Thailand, though.

None of this was really that surprising, because corporate and government users were never Apple's target consumer group. The device is made for ordinary folk to use in ordinary ways. Companies that require robust email capabilities and a highly secure environment need to stay on their Blackberry Enterprise Server for now. In the end, data collected from the pilot iPhones confirmed that they were mostly used for quickie emails, after hours phone calls and lots of 3G web browsing. Almost all of the usage was logged during non-business hours, which makes sense.

There was no formal pilot for the iPad, although many of us bought them as personal devices. I took mine to meetings when I didn't feel like lugging my enormous, heavy laptop with me, but (surprise) I found myself easily distracted at the meetings and easily tempted by having a web browser at my fingertips. I sure did look busy and engaged, though!

In short, the pilot for this has already been done by Bangkok's sister city and we know how that turned out. This is probably not the best place to spend 50M baht right now.

[Thaddeus]

What would you say if Mexicans got a forum in the USA and all they did was complain about everything in the USA? What would you say to them?

If their complaint was valid and brought about change that was beneficial to all, I'd say "well done"

Wake me up the day a falang's complaining brings about change in Thailand.

Hahahahahah

Do something more productive with your time.

And that is exactly why I detest this don't like it, leave, attitude.

Firstly, it is anti-progress, progress is change, change occurs when something that is wrong gets fixed, the whole, never mind, mai pben rai, coupled with the Thai trait of not challenging authority that is instilled from an early age is the reason why progress occurs so slowly here compared to some neighbouring countries, which in essence is what the big piggies at the top of the pyramid want.

Secondly, not everyone has the option of leaving, there are people living here, settled down with kids and the vast majority of them are Thai, so when that phrase is trotted out with regular inevitability, it is usually from someone who does have the option of leaving and it comes across as "I'm all right Jack, screw everyone else" .....

Can you imagine what the ordinary Thai folks are thinking when they read news like this, it starts with the Thai equivalent of 'hang on a sec'.... and then gets bottled up.

And that brings me to another Thai trait that needs to change, it is very common for them to bottle things up and not just venting a little bit at the time as a pressure release, until all the pent up frustration gets released in one big explosion or a wanton destructive act.

While all that remains the status quo, Thailand will forever remain a developing country.

When 'if you don't like it, leave' is spouted the intent sounds like it is anti negative farang, when in fact, for me at least, it is anti positive Thai.

[unanimosity]

Those that don't want them will have the right to decline.

Like there will anybody that will decline. They will accept and then sell them.

[unanimosity]

A laptop is not a real time communications device.

What world do you live in? My laptop is primarily a real-time communication device.

[unanimosity]

Before you criticize, why don't YOU try running a country? Let's see how well you do.

Thailand is very corrupt and far from perfect, but the attitude by expats no less, taken towards Thailand and bad mouthing every single thing they do is obnoxious. If you really hate this country that much, I'll call you a taxi to take you right back to the airport.

And the xenophobic rant of a Thaiwannabe once again raises its voice.

It has nothing to do with xenophobia. Do you know what that word means?

We are GUESTS in this country. Working immigrants on a work visa.

What would you say if Mexicans got a forum in the USA and all they did was complain about everything in the USA? What would you say to them?

I know what I would say "America isn't perfect and it is corrupt, but if you hate it that much, why don't you fuc_k off back to Mexico?"

That is hardly xenophobic. That's not being either fearful or disliking people of other countries. That's just asking a simple question.

You're here. You're a guest. Thailand is what it is. It isn't going to change for some Falangs in a forum. What's the point of arguing everything? Let them spend all the money they want on whatever they want.

You are still getting paid right? Take your check and enjoy it.

What world are you from? Are you Rohringa or Burmese? It would applear so because you compare your status in Thailand to that of an illegal Mexican immigrant in the USA. Legal Mexican immigrants in the USA do have the forum you referenced as reflected in their right to land ownership with the right to vote.

[ParadiseLost]

A laptop is not a real time communications device.

What world do you live in? My laptop is primarily a real-time communication device.

I agree 100%.

In fact I find iPaids to be nothing more than a flashy gadget better suited to personal entertainment than professional office workers. Children are easily distracted and most adults who buy these are just children at heart anyway

[waza]

What would you say if Mexicans got a forum in the USA and all they did was complain about everything in the USA? What would you say to them?

If their complaint was valid and brought about change that was beneficial to all, I'd say "well done"

Wake me up the day a falang's complaining brings about change in Thailand.

Hahahahahah

Do something more productive with your time.

Wake up Thailand conforms with US, ASEAN and UN international policies and treaties

[thaicruze]

probably should have spent that money on students and gotten 3x as many tablets from india or china..

dont think senators will have a hard time purchasing those on their own..

What?

Senators - 50 million

Spent on students - 18 billion

[thaicruze]

What would you say if Mexicans got a forum in the USA and all they did was complain about everything in the USA? What would you say to them?

If their complaint was valid and brought about change that was beneficial to all, I'd say "well done"

Wake me up the day a falang's complaining brings about change in Thailand.

Hahahahahah

Do something more productive with your time.

Wake up Thailand conforms with US, ASEAN and UN international policies and treaties

So a US treaty is the same as Falangs complaining?

I don't get your logic.

[lannarebirth]

I am prepared to give Yingluck a chance, but if she allows this, my faith in her will be shot to pieces !

It's absurd and wasteful and likely corrupt, but this is the least of her govt's sins. You had to overlook a lot to only be getting fed up now.

[Reasonableman]

Amazes me how we ever survived without real-time communications--e-mail and SMS. Sounds like you must work in the fire brigade, for a blood bank, transplant unit, or at the stock exchange, to need such desperately urgent full-time access to real-time communications. How do you ever sleep? I guess you can't. Sad.

Edited March 6, 2012 by Reasonableman

[GentlemanJim]

I am prepared to give Yingluck a chance, but if she allows this, my faith in her will be shot to pieces !

It's absurd and wasteful and likely corrupt, but this is the least of her govt's sins. You had to overlook a lot to only be getting fed up now.

Perhaps this is an outrageous 'low cost' distraction, to keep the media from sniffing out something bigger that's going on. Land deals maybe.

[thaicruze]

Amazes me how we ever survived without real-time communications--e-mail and SMS. Sounds like you must work in the fire brigade, for a blood bank, transplant unit, or at the stock exchange, to need such desperately urgent full-time access to real-time communications. How do you ever sleep? I guess you can't. Sad.

Amazes me how long we survived without computers. But guess what.…

[Reasonableman]

Amazes me how we ever survived without real-time communications--e-mail and SMS. Sounds like you must work in the fire brigade, for a blood bank, transplant unit, or at the stock exchange, to need such desperately urgent full-time access to real-time communications. How do you ever sleep? I guess you can't. Sad.

Amazes me how long we survived without computers. But guess what.…

we did

[metisdead]

An inflammatory post and replies has been removed.

Comparisons of laptops vs. iPads and iPhones have been removed as being off topic to this thread. Discussion of Bt50 Million To Be Used To Buy iPads And iPhones For Senators And MPs would be on topic to this thread.

[metisdead]

An off topic baiting, bickering session has been removed.

[metisdead]

Comment on moderation has been removed.

[rubl]

And for those that have, eyes, ears and a grain of common what message does this send out?

Another bunch of kids get stuck with American stuff made in China ?

Edited March 6, 2012 by rubl

[thaicruze]

This topic is dead. Let's stop beating a dead horse.

They're going to buy the iPads. Live with it. The world won't end.

[TAWP]

This is not uncommon in Government. Texas buys its Leadership and legislators the latest and greatest at least every two years or more often depending on the technology changes. Designated state agencies get the hand-me-downs. The hard drives are wiped cleaned and re-imaged with the latest software updates so its almost good as new. Rank has its privileges and they should have the best tools available.

Yes, I agree that it is not uncommon.

But you will also note that this primarily happens in governments, not in corporations, since in government you can trust the money to be stolen from the people no-matter what your performance is.

[TAWP]

I've never seen an iPad used for anything other than playing games, websurfing (usually facebook), looking at photos, and to make it's owner look like an even bigger <deleted>... taking photos.

Perhaps if we could get a list of the productivity tools the MP's would be using on their iPads for the betterment of society it might put the naysayers minds at ease. I shall now hold my breathe.....

Why do you need to "see a list" of anything the Thai government does? What do they owe you? They give you a visa and they pay you. They take taxes out of your check and will use it to run the country that gives you a check and a visa. That's all you need to worry about. Thailand doesn't have to show you anything.

They pay me? Where? Got an address where I can pick up this additional pay-check?

[thaicruze]

This is not uncommon in Government. Texas buys its Leadership and legislators the latest and greatest at least every two years or more often depending on the technology changes. Designated state agencies get the hand-me-downs. The hard drives are wiped cleaned and re-imaged with the latest software updates so its almost good as new. Rank has its privileges and they should have the best tools available.

Yes, I agree that it is not uncommon.

But you will also note that this primarily happens in governments, not in corporations, since in government you can trust the money to be stolen from the people no-matter what your performance is.

And what are you doing about this? Typing in a forum and what else?

Edited March 6, 2012 by thaicruze

[thaicruze]

I bet that the Nation newspaper is still using typewriters instead of computers and that they use black old phones instead iPhones

I'll bet you 1 million baht. How much are you willing to put down on that wager?

Would you take a look a this. Even The Nation can tweet through a typewriter. That must be some typewriter. dam_n

All their tweets come from either Facebook, TweetDeck or Twitterfeed. Meaning someone is at a COMPUTER.

Edited March 6, 2012 by thaicruze

[thaicruze]

Why can't they use the $81 tablet?

Because it has that crap Android installed.

Edited March 6, 2012 by thaicruze

[thaicruze]

But why buy 4G equipment when Thailand is yet to have 3G?

See that there on my phone next to "True"?

[thaicruze]

I think it is a good idea. In the US they used to do blackberry. I think iPads and iPhones are a much better idea for government.

If used properly, it can make communication easier. They can also get work done on the go. Reply to emails, edit documents, work in reminders and set up meetings and calendar events, etc etc without being stuck to a computer. All this stuff will sync with iCloud automatically.

It's the 21st century. Get used to it.

Wait - they will actually have to do this themselves? So all those personal secretaries will be out of a job?

I see most of these devices being given to kids and cronies. Of course 'stolen' or 'lost' devices will be replaced at tax payers expense too.

secretaries answer their personal emails? Really?

I see Obama clicking away at his BB all the time. Let's get rid of the White House secretary. Since Obama answers his own personal messages obviously the secretary has absolutely nothing to do.

Where do you guys come from? Seriously.

Edited March 6, 2012 by thaicruze

[thaicruze]

A laptop is not a real time communications device.

What world do you live in? My laptop is primarily a real-time communication device.

I agree 100%.

In fact I find iPaids to be nothing more than a flashy gadget better suited to personal entertainment than professional office workers. Children are easily distracted and most adults who buy these are just children at heart anyway

A tablet is the computer of the future. And a mobile OS is the OS of the future. It is what bill gates talked about years ago, before iPhones even existed, when he described the experience of a desktop OS being unified where the applications, OS and Internet would e brought together as 1 seamless experience.

A tablet can be used for most everyday tasks you do on the computer. My smartphone has replaced my laptop for 99% of the things I do. The only time I use my computer now is to design things in Photoshop and stuff like that.

Kids don't get distracted easily if you 1) have control 2) are prepared and know what you're doing.

Edited March 6, 2012 by thaicruze

[sbk]

Off topic bickering removed. If you have no interest in the topic, simply do not read it. Nobody is holding a gun to your head. Keep up the pointless flaming and suspensions will be handed out.