Computer Tablet Project Is In Jeopardy: Thailand

[americaninbangkok]

First the Information and Communications Technology Ministry announced that the bidding for the project had been completed, before denying it and then blaming the media for misinterpreting its first round of screening as the final outcome.

That's becasue you let any official talk to the media about any issue. The Army General gets to talk about iPads for MPs... and the Sci-Tech Minister talks about flooding. <deleted>?! Shut your mouths, have the relevant expert(s) counsel the PM, and let ONE VOICE do the talking. But that does take a) coordination, guts for that one voice to say the official postion (and maybe take the blame if the plan fails). The media just wants news. And if the news gets delivered by a monkey, do you think the media cares? They still sell papers that say "Thai monkey makes a** of self."

[americaninbangkok]

[information and Communications Technology Minister Anudith Nakornthap] said although the contract would require the Chinese supplier to deliver all 900,000 tablets within 90 days, he believed the delivery of all tablets would be completed within 60 days after the signing of the contract.

And then he returned from Fantasy Land.

Firstly, isn't the volume now at 1 million (make up your minds!!!)?

Secondly, how do you produce, test, deliver, and deploy 1 miliion (ok... 900,000!!!) of anything in 60 days? After all... who's making these units, slave labor? OOPS! Maybe I'm onto something...?

[bumpkin]

^{The whole affair is a sad piece of political chicanery. What all school chidren need is a better standard of education. While it may be an amusing and time-wasting adjunct to a child's life, an electronic toy is no substitute for quality teaching. This is a failed attempt at a quick-fix solution to a serious and long-term problem. As another long-forgotten Prime Minister in a far off country once said, (but failed to implement) Education. Education, Education.}

[ALFREDO]

My GF bought 2 Copy-fake Apple-pad touchscreen tabloids with connectable key board at the Vientiane border, about 2.500+? Baht each.

For 4 kids, 5 - 10 young.

The chargers had been the first who had problems, contacts broke. Now do not charge at all.Or?

The touchscreen, had plastic foil on it, fast scratched, removed the plastic foil and the touchscreen itself was scratched fast to.

After 10 days in a corner, not working! Maybe its only the chargers, the contacts? I have to check, but I would not recommend to buy at least that crap, produced in China!

[Buchholz]

My GF bought 2 Copy-fake Apple-pad touchscreen tabloids with connectable key board at the Vientiane border, about 2.500+? Baht each.

For 4 kids, 5 - 10 young.

The chargers had been the first who had problems, contacts broke. Now do not charge at all.Or?

The touchscreen, had plastic foil on it, fast scratched, removed the plastic foil and the touchscreen itself was scratched fast to.

After 10 days in a corner, not working! Maybe its only the chargers, the contacts? I have to check, but I would not recommend to buy at least that crap, produced in China!

Thank you for that valid anecdotal of a real life situation of what occurs with similar tablets in the hands of children.

It's sad to think of your situation multiplied a million times over across the country.

What a tremendously monumental waste in the face of much more pressing educational needs.

.

[pipo1000]

My GF bought 2 Copy-fake Apple-pad touchscreen tabloids with connectable key board at the Vientiane border, about 2.500+? Baht each.

For 4 kids, 5 - 10 young.

The chargers had been the first who had problems, contacts broke. Now do not charge at all.Or?

The touchscreen, had plastic foil on it, fast scratched, removed the plastic foil and the touchscreen itself was scratched fast to.

After 10 days in a corner, not working! Maybe its only the chargers, the contacts? I have to check, but I would not recommend to buy at least that crap, produced in China!

Thank you for that valid anecdotal of a real life situation of what occurs with similar tablets in the hands of children.

It's sad to think of your situation multiplied a million times over across the country.

What a tremendously monumental waste in the face of much more pressing educational needs.

.

You better keep quiet with your comments, because you know they are looking for the perfect excuse to cancel the whole thing.

Don't give them ideas.

[OzMick]

isn't jeopardy where they know the answer and they want you to make up a silly question?

[hellodolly]

Having done business (supplying equipment/techonlogy) with both countries (government and private sector), they truly deserve each other. Both groups are probably changing their minds on specs/terms/etc, as well as payment terms.

If one group was not trying to line their pockets via kickbacks and the supplier was not trying to enlarge profit margin from the orginal agreement, a irrovokable letter of credit as a payment avenue would be issued. It will be interesting to see which side comes out second best. Probably the only gurantee is that the Thai education system/public will be dead last.

Spot on !!!! Pretty funny to think of the tea money battle going on in each side.....I am pretty sure Thailand is more surefooted when it comes to cheating western companies such as the German company that built the Don Muang expressway. Think they will find they are in a bit over their heads if they think they can cheat a Chinese company. It is a moot point however, as I am pretty sure blame will be placed upon the Chinese company, and the whole thing will fade away....

I do hope that the whole thing will eventually fade away. Providing tablets to students is an ill conceived and unworkable idea. There are so many better ways that the money could be spent on improving education here. Smaller class sizes would be a good start.

You may get your wish. I am sure the Thai officials have already got there cut and could care less.

Oops forgot they have brought the Chinese government into it more tea money to divide up.

[Thaddeus]

isn't jeopardy where they know the answer and they want you to make up a silly question?

That's the one, but this is Thai jeopardy, they state the amount of money needed and then try to make the paperwork add up to the same figure, with a little left over for gratitude obviously.

Then they progress to double jeopardy, where the first number changes and everyone else has to work out why.

(then add boing noises at will to keep everyone happy)

[Ricardo]

isn't jeopardy where they know the answer and they want you to make up a silly question?

That's the one, but this is Thai jeopardy, they state the amount of money needed and then try to make the paperwork add up to the same figure, with a little left over for gratitude obviously.

Then they progress to double jeopardy, where the first number changes and everyone else has to work out why.

(then add boing noises at will to keep everyone happy)

Thanks for the image, of a fly-on-the-wall documentary, set inside the contracts-department of a Thai ministry, complete with all the usual sound-effects, would easily surpass 'Yes, Minister' !

Perhaps it might be named "Aiyee-Ya, Minister" ?

Edited April 21, 2012 by Ricardo

[Buchholz]

Interesting article in the other paper this morning on the issue. Seems lots of questions are being raised about the company the government selected for the tablet scheme.

Seems their real production capacity (1,000 units/day) is not what the Thai ICT Ministry had earlier said it was (24,000 units/day).

.

[OzMick]

Interesting article in the other paper this morning on the issue. Seems lots of questions are being raised about the company the government selected for the tablet scheme.

Seems their real production capacity (1,000 units/day) is not what the Thai ICT Ministry had earlier said it was (24,000 units/day).

.

We'll have to ask Tom if pay rises AND tablets in 2015 equals a "broken promise"

[GentlemanJim]

Interesting article in the other paper this morning on the issue. Seems lots of questions are being raised about the company the government selected for the tablet scheme.

Seems their real production capacity (1,000 units/day) is not what the Thai ICT Ministry had earlier said it was (24,000 units/day).

.

We'll have to ask Tom if pay rises AND tablets in 2015 equals a "broken promise"

I think that's the least of the worries, it will lead to a broken economy!

[oops]

Exactly - they squeezed the price down and then said they would have to pay the import duties on them meaning they would make a loss. Scope also seem to think that a contract would not be worth the paper it is written on, and fully expect them to build 900k of these things and fore the Thai government to not pay / not want them in a trademark change of policy. Scope also appear to have decided that they will get so shafted by the needlessly complicated rules for them operating here that they do not want to open themselves up to having so many service centres here. All of this is totally justifiable, especially the letter of intent. The Thai reputation for the way they do business is well and truly proceeding them nowadays and the Chinese are not as stupid as the Thai Hi-So brigade take them for. I dare say they have already had to shell out a few million + baht to be at the table and they have no guarantees at all that there will actually be an order. Just a load of rhetoric aimed at the poor countryside folk. Either way, the corrupt tea money brigade already have their cash in the bank so they don't care; suits them fine to take the money and not then actually having to buy anything and do anything that might be classed as work.

And you know all this because you are on the board at the Chinese company?

Why don't we just go direct to the manufactor....I am certain if there was a real businessman or a farrang the deal would of been done along time ago

[culicine]

I'm probably thinking too simplistically, but why didn't they do a pilot project with, say, 5,000 students? Check tablets, software, student performance, e-curriculum, teacher/student/parent reactions to impact of tablets in learning.

I know I am very naive. It is much better to throw a million tablets at every student in Thailand all at once, much more impressive!

They did with like 50 or 200 of them in HiSo schools.

But far too quietly for you to have heard.

So what will happen is that said HiSo schools will actually buy their own tablets and implement them, while the government schools is whittled down or scrapped completely, thus widening the gap between the have's and have nots. I notice an increase in number of students in my private school using tablets, though not formally as part of the curriculum. Not, likely to happen here as my school won't even buy them a set of graphing calculators or update the school computers (over7-8 years old now) 555

[Buchholz]

I'm probably thinking too simplistically, but why didn't they do a pilot project with, say, 5,000 students? Check tablets, software, student performance, e-curriculum, teacher/student/parent reactions to impact of tablets in learning.

I know I am very naive. It is much better to throw a million tablets at every student in Thailand all at once, much more impressive!

They did with like 50 or 200 of them in HiSo schools.

But far too quietly for you to have heard.

So what will happen is that said HiSo schools will actually buy their own tablets and implement them, while the government schools is whittled down or scrapped completely, thus widening the gap between the have's and have nots. I notice an increase in number of students in my private school using tablets, though not formally as part of the curriculum. Not, likely to happen here as my school won't even buy them a set of graphing calculators or update the school computers (over7-8 years old now)

Very valid points regarding the educational divide and that now with all this budgeted money being tied up in this tablet scheme, less will be available for those items that could have been bought with it that actually did something to lessen the divide... a divide that is now destined to increase.

.

Edited April 22, 2012 by Buchholz

[timewilltell]

Never try to scam a scammer!

[swillowbee]

... Thailand = corruption + incompetence ... a mathematical certainty.

... can anyone be surprised? ... the only result that can be expected from anything the government attempts ... Suvarnabhumi Airport ... flood control ... civil demonstrations control ... jet ski scam control ... porn in Parliament control ... it just goes on and on and on.

... while the mere purchase of laptops appears more than the Royal Thai government can handle, their real failure will become apparent when the laptops require servicing, or start surfacing in the black market for re-sale ... highly likely that this will end badly ... if they will be judged by this wasteful giveaway, look out Phue Thai! ... here come the Democrats!

... if the Thai government wants to do anything right, it's corrupt politicians and government officials should just try skimming their rightful 25-30% off the top, and then hire the Swiss ... or, the Germans, or the Americans, or most anyone else ... maybe cost about the same, but at least it would work!

... my God! ... can this really go on generation, after generation, after generation?

Edited April 23, 2012 by swillowbee

[Ijustwannateach]

This project was not only in jeopardy, but doomed, from the start- as usual, there's no worry over the quality (anyone want to start a betting pool over just how long these things will last)? What's really important is arguing over who gets how much of the money, until well past the point where any of it actually matters.. If only it could die.

[massein]

If the gov was sincere could they not set down certain spec's give the students purchases vouchers to go to the venue of choice

to purchase a tablet, if student wanted to upgrade from the purchase requirement , it would be their responsibility. From what I see, the spec's or definitely available in the price range suggested. The problem with this seem to be as to how to get the kickback

[Buchholz]

The acquisition process has been plagued by problems from the very start.

First the Information and Communications Technology Ministry announced that the bidding for the project had been completed, before denying it and then blaming the media for misinterpreting its first round of screening as the final outcome.

The murkiness of the deal then intensified speculation about why a giant Chinese firm, an initial favourite to win the contract, had not won the bidding.

Then the signing of the contract kept getting delayed.

The initial explanation was that Shenzhen Scope Scientific Development was unable to get a bank guarantee in China.

Yesterday was the first time that information emerged about how the Chinese firm and the Thai government were locking horns over contractual details.

Word in the other paper today brings news that ICT MInister Anudith's abysmal performance has his head on the chopping block for the returning Thai Rak Thai when they come off their supposed banishments next month in a likely re-shuffle then.

Possible successors include Banned Thai Rak Thai MP Sita Tiwari and former Cabinet Minister in Samak's and Somchai's administrations and current Pheu Thai MP Vicharn Meenchainant .

The Thai Rak Thai Gang come off their banned status a month from today, May 30.

.

[h90]

This project was not only in jeopardy, but doomed, from the start- as usual, there's no worry over the quality (anyone want to start a betting pool over just how long these things will last)? What's really important is arguing over who gets how much of the money, until well past the point where any of it actually matters.. If only it could die.

I didn't read everything about it from the beginning, but everything I read was nonsense.

Lets bet on what red TV will tell about it.....Amard block lovely Yingluck so they don't need to share the money with they poor, blablabla....

After next election Thaksin promise for every schoolkid a Playstation 4.....

[culicine]

The acquisition process has been plagued by problems from the very start.

First the Information and Communications Technology Ministry announced that the bidding for the project had been completed, before denying it and then blaming the media for misinterpreting its first round of screening as the final outcome.

The murkiness of the deal then intensified speculation about why a giant Chinese firm, an initial favourite to win the contract, had not won the bidding.

Then the signing of the contract kept getting delayed.

The initial explanation was that Shenzhen Scope Scientific Development was unable to get a bank guarantee in China.

Yesterday was the first time that information emerged about how the Chinese firm and the Thai government were locking horns over contractual details.

Word in the other paper today brings news that ICT MInister Anudith's abysmal performance has his head on the chopping block for the returning Thai Rak Thai when they come off their supposed banishments next month in a likely re-shuffle then.

Possible successors include Banned Thai Rak Thai MP Sita Tiwari and former Cabinet Minister in Samak's and Somchai's administrations and current Pheu Thai MP Vicharn Meenchainant .

The Thai Rak Thai Gang come off their banned status a month from today, May 30.

.

I don't know how it works, but can the banned MP's immediately take the place of current MP's? I see wholesale changes if that's the case. While I'm anything but a PT / redshirt supporter, many 'good politicians' got caught up in that ban. Let's hope governance improve after their reinstatement.

[OzMick]

The acquisition process has been plagued by problems from the very start.

First the Information and Communications Technology Ministry announced that the bidding for the project had been completed, before denying it and then blaming the media for misinterpreting its first round of screening as the final outcome.

The murkiness of the deal then intensified speculation about why a giant Chinese firm, an initial favourite to win the contract, had not won the bidding.

Then the signing of the contract kept getting delayed.

The initial explanation was that Shenzhen Scope Scientific Development was unable to get a bank guarantee in China.

Yesterday was the first time that information emerged about how the Chinese firm and the Thai government were locking horns over contractual details.

Word in the other paper today brings news that ICT MInister Anudith's abysmal performance has his head on the chopping block for the returning Thai Rak Thai when they come off their supposed banishments next month in a likely re-shuffle then.

Possible successors include Banned Thai Rak Thai MP Sita Tiwari and former Cabinet Minister in Samak's and Somchai's administrations and current Pheu Thai MP Vicharn Meenchainant .

The Thai Rak Thai Gang come off their banned status a month from today, May 30.

.

I don't know how it works, but can the banned MP's immediately take the place of current MP's? I see wholesale changes if that's the case. While I'm anything but a PT / redshirt supporter, many 'good politicians' got caught up in that ban. Let's hope governance improve after their reinstatement.

AFAIK there is no way to replace MPs without a by-election. If party list MP resigns (or whatever) the post goes to the first of the non-appointed on the list at the time of the last general election.

That said, Ministers can be changed at the drop of a hat. What happens to ministers who have resigned their MP position (for the good of the party, because T said so) is open to conjecture, but I imagine some lucrative sinecure could be found.

[thaicbr]

The acquisition process has been plagued by problems from the very start.

First the Information and Communications Technology Ministry announced that the bidding for the project had been completed, before denying it and then blaming the media for misinterpreting its first round of screening as the final outcome.

The murkiness of the deal then intensified speculation about why a giant Chinese firm, an initial favourite to win the contract, had not won the bidding.

Then the signing of the contract kept getting delayed.

The initial explanation was that Shenzhen Scope Scientific Development was unable to get a bank guarantee in China.

Yesterday was the first time that information emerged about how the Chinese firm and the Thai government were locking horns over contractual details.

Word in the other paper today brings news that ICT MInister Anudith's abysmal performance has his head on the chopping block for the returning Thai Rak Thai when they come off their supposed banishments next month in a likely re-shuffle then.

Possible successors include Banned Thai Rak Thai MP Sita Tiwari and former Cabinet Minister in Samak's and Somchai's administrations and current Pheu Thai MP Vicharn Meenchainant .

The Thai Rak Thai Gang come off their banned status a month from today, May 30.

.

I don't know how it works, but can the banned MP's immediately take the place of current MP's? I see wholesale changes if that's the case. While I'm anything but a PT / redshirt supporter, many 'good politicians' got caught up in that ban. Let's hope governance improve after their reinstatement.

I we can change 'good'to experienced..then i will agree

[Buchholz]

The acquisition process has been plagued by problems from the very start.

First the Information and Communications Technology Ministry announced that the bidding for the project had been completed, before denying it and then blaming the media for misinterpreting its first round of screening as the final outcome.

The murkiness of the deal then intensified speculation about why a giant Chinese firm, an initial favourite to win the contract, had not won the bidding.

Then the signing of the contract kept getting delayed.

The initial explanation was that Shenzhen Scope Scientific Development was unable to get a bank guarantee in China.

Yesterday was the first time that information emerged about how the Chinese firm and the Thai government were locking horns over contractual details.

Word in the other paper today brings news that ICT MInister Anudith's abysmal performance has his head on the chopping block for the returning Thai Rak Thai when they come off their supposed banishments next month in a likely re-shuffle then.

Possible successors include Banned Thai Rak Thai MP Sita Tiwari and former Cabinet Minister in Samak's and Somchai's administrations and current Pheu Thai MP Vicharn Meenchainant .

The Thai Rak Thai Gang come off their banned status a month from today, May 30.

.

I don't know how it works, but can the banned MP's immediately take the place of current MP's? I see wholesale changes if that's the case. While I'm anything but a PT / redshirt supporter, many 'good politicians' got caught up in that ban. Let's hope governance improve after their reinstatement.

They can take up Cabinet Minister positions on May 31st in a Cabinet reshuffle, but not MP positions.

The slimy, non"-good politicians that got caught up in that ban", like the Bird Flu Minister Sudarat, are the ones in the strongest position in the party.

Both the potential new ICT Minister candidates are in her faction.

.

Edited April 30, 2012 by Buchholz

[Skywalker69]

Never try to scam a scammer!

Thaksin couldn´t have said it better him-self.

[Skywalker69]

If the gov was sincere could they not set down certain spec's give the students purchases vouchers to go to the venue of choice

to purchase a tablet, if student wanted to upgrade from the purchase requirement , it would be their responsibility. From what I see, the spec's or definitely available in the price range suggested. The problem with this seem to be as to how to get the kickback

One can tell by the way this whole deal was set up, it wasn´t meant to be closed.

It was an election promise.

[Buchholz]

The acquisition process has been plagued by problems from the very start.

First the Information and Communications Technology Ministry announced that the bidding for the project had been completed, before denying it and then blaming the media for misinterpreting its first round of screening as the final outcome.

The murkiness of the deal then intensified speculation about why a giant Chinese firm, an initial favourite to win the contract, had not won the bidding.

Then the signing of the contract kept getting delayed.

The initial explanation was that Shenzhen Scope Scientific Development was unable to get a bank guarantee in China.

Yesterday was the first time that information emerged about how the Chinese firm and the Thai government were locking horns over contractual details.

Word in the other paper today brings news that ICT MInister Anudith's abysmal performance has his head on the chopping block for the returning Thai Rak Thai when they come off their supposed banishments next month in a likely re-shuffle then.

Possible successors include Banned Thai Rak Thai MP Sita Tiwari and former Cabinet Minister in Samak's and Somchai's administrations and current Pheu Thai MP Vicharn Meenchainant .

The Thai Rak Thai Gang come off their banned status a month from today, May 30.

I don't know how it works, but can the banned MP's immediately take the place of current MP's? I see wholesale changes if that's the case. While I'm anything but a PT / redshirt supporter, many 'good politicians' got caught up in that ban. Let's hope governance improve after their reinstatement.

They can take up Cabinet Minister positions on May 31st in a Cabinet reshuffle, but not MP positions.

The slimy, non"-good politicians that got caught up in that ban", like the Bird Flu Minister Sudarat, are the ones in the strongest position in the party.

Both the potential new ICT Minister candidates are in her faction.

We'll know about the slimy ones' intentions after the Party has a party....

May 1, 2012-Former executives of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party plan a grand celebration to mark the end of their five-year ban from politics on May 30, one of them said yesterday.

Vichit Plangsrisakul, Secretary-General of the Thai Rak Thai 111 Foundation, said the banned politicians would take part in a religious ceremony on that day and release 111 pigeons, in events planned by the foundation.

A party would be held in the evening on May 30 at the Miracle Hotel, where the former party executives would make speeches for five to 10 minutes each, according to Vichit. He is one of the banned politicians who are collectively known as the Group of 111.

He expected former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, a founder and former Thai Rak Thai leader, to phone in from abroad during the party.

"He has been invited to make a phone-in. We want him to phone in because he is one of the 111 executives," Vichit said.

Many in the Group of 111 would apply to become members of the ruling Pheu Thai Party on June 1, Vichit said. However, he could not confirm if some of them would become members of the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who is Thaksin's younger sister.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Party-to-mark-end-of-political-ban-30181058.html

.

[FangFerang]

One year batteries are a very bad idea, and show poor craftsmanship and a planned obsolescence curve that will cost the government a HUGE amount of money annually. Worst, how are 12 service centers going to supply 900,000 batteries NEXT year and each subsequent year?

Tablets are a good idea. Shenzhen is NOT.

Scrap the bid, reopen it to other companies, let Shenzhen eat dirt.