Education Minister Says Thailand Lacks Scientists

[webfact]

Education Min says Thailand lacks scientists

BANGKOK, 16 May 2013 (NNT)-The Education Minister has said the reason why Thailand lags behind other nations is that it lacks scientists, given they lay a foundation for future growth and development.

Education Minister Pongthep Thepkanjana said during the opening of the science scholarship program that Thailand has taken out very few patents when compared to other countries.

It is important that the country produce its own original items instead of building on someone else’s idea, adding that the sales of counterfeit or knock-off merchandise will not be sustainable over a long period.

He emphasized that an original invention would potentially reap benefits for the country. The Education Minister further stated that he hoped the scholarship recipients would apply their knowledge to benefit the country and people around him as well as inspire other students to choose science subjects as their core curriculum.

-- NNT 2013-05-17

[ratcatcher]

Science Minister Plodprasop: Thailand Floods Caused By Inefficient Water Management

Here's the cream of the crop.

[Thai at Heart]

They have JUST worked this out.

Any teachers on here ever seen a school with anything resembling a science laboratory?

I know of one friend who was the son of some university lecturers in my home town. i was working down South for a while, and he explained his education to me very very well. He was scooped up from up country (and he admits that this was down to his parents, and good scores) and transported to a demonstration school where he showed some aptitude for chemistry and physics. At 16 he was sent overseas on a government scholarship and returned with an overseas degree in physics.

He promptly became part of a large oil company here in Thailand managing corrosion on pipelines, but was about to leave to do the same job back in Europe for approximately 10 times his salary in Thailand. He has a brother who went to the USA and works for GM in the USA on engine development. Toyota Thailand tried to head hunt him and offered a salary 10 times less than he has in the USA.

So there we have it, Thailand doesn't produce scientists because the business models here extend to family majority ownership, or business connection ownership who don't see the value in innovation and invention. The top salary belongs to the owner, and the business model relies extremely heavily on having cheap workers, not innovators. Do you think a company in Thailand would pay royalties to an in house patent creator on the going international rate?

Would I encourage my son to become an engineer, indeed. Would I encourage him to work for the stultifying atmosphere present in most Thai companies? Never. Do it yourself or get out of the country.

Edited May 17, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[clockman]

They have JUST worked this out.

Any teachers on here ever seen a school with anything resembling a science laboratory?

I know of one friend who was the son of some university lecturers in my home town. i was working down South for a while, and he explained his education to me very very well. He was scooped up from up country (and he admits that this was down to his parents, and good scores) and transported to a demonstration school where he showed some aptitude for chemistry and physics. At 16 he was sent overseas on a government scholarship and returned with an overseas degree in physics.

He promptly became part of a large oil company here in Thailand managing corrosion on pipelines, but was about to leave to do the same job back in Europe for approximately 10 times his salary in Thailand. He has a brother who went to the USA and works for GM in the USA on engine development. Toyota Thailand tried to head hunt him and offered a salary 10 times less than he has in the USA.

So there we have it, Thailand doesn't produce scientists because the business models here extend to family majority ownership, or business connection ownership who don't see the value in innovation and invention. The top salary belongs to the owner, and the business model relies extremely heavily on having cheap workers, not innovators. Do you think a company in Thailand would pay royalties to an in house patent creator on the going international rate?

Would I encourage my son to become an engineer, indeed. Would I encourage him to work for the stultifying atmosphere present in most Thai companies? Never. Do it yourself or get out of the country.

Very true words! There whole mind set has to change. Very unlikely!

[lungmi]

Thai scientists are working hard. They even contest with the NASA in Esaarn for new rocket models!

[billd766]

"Education Minister Pongthep Thepkanjana said during the opening of the science scholarship program that Thailand has taken out very few patents when compared to other countries."

One of the main reasons that so few apply for scholarships is that the Ministry of Education has an abysmal record of educating Thai children. If the way to becoming a scientist was learning by rote and not by asking questions of the teachers or original thinking then Thailand would be a world leader.

Firstly get rid of ALL the education ministers and ALL the civil servants over 25 years old and replace them with farangs on the condition that the farang teachers train the Thais into their job. When that happens and a child asks a Thai teacher a question that the teacher does not know the answer too the teachers response must be, I'm sorry that I don't know the answer. However I WILL find out and get back to you as soon as I know.

That is when Thai education is working.

[hellodolly]

Say what you want about Education Minister Pongthep Thepkanjana

At least he recognizes the problem.

Puts him at the head of the lost for intelligent ministers.

Not saying he is intelligent but he is the head of the class.

[chainarong]

"Education Minister Pongthep Thepkanjana said during the opening of the science scholarship program that Thailand has taken out very few patents when compared to other countries."

One of the main reasons that so few apply for scholarships is that the Ministry of Education has an abysmalrecord of educating Thai children. If the way to becoming a scientist was learning by rote and not by asking questions of the teachers or original thinking then Thailand would be a world leader.

Firstly get rid of ALL the education ministers and ALL the civil servants over 25 years old and replace them wioth farangs on the condition that the farang teachers train the Thais into their job. When that happens and a child asks a Thai teacher a question that the teacher does not know the answer too the teachers response must be, I'm sorry that I don't know the answer. However I WILL find out and get back to you as soon as I know.

That is when Thai education is working.

Unless you are prepared to pay the specialist farangs a high Pay rate $100 to 200 grand year , no one would be interested in coming , like it is now, also don't forget the trainee's need to have a very good understanding of English, something that you wont see either.

[jonclark]

"Education minister says Thailand lacks scientists"

Thaivisa members say 'Thailand lacks............ (answers on a postcard please!)

[Thai at Heart]

"Education Minister Pongthep Thepkanjana said during the opening of the science scholarship program that Thailand has taken out very few patents when compared to other countries."

One of the main reasons that so few apply for scholarships is that the Ministry of Education has an abysmalrecord of educating Thai children. If the way to becoming a scientist was learning by rote and not by asking questions of the teachers or original thinking then Thailand would be a world leader.

Firstly get rid of ALL the education ministers and ALL the civil servants over 25 years old and replace them wioth farangs on the condition that the farang teachers train the Thais into their job. When that happens and a child asks a Thai teacher a question that the teacher does not know the answer too the teachers response must be, I'm sorry that I don't know the answer. However I WILL find out and get back to you as soon as I know.

That is when Thai education is working.

Unless you are prepared to pay the specialist farangs a high Pay rate $100 to 200 grand year , no one would be interested in coming , like it is now, also don't forget the trainee's need to have a very good understanding of English, something that you wont see either.

Well you see, the very first they have to do is to allow foreign companies into the market without having to risk having a Thai partner. In this model, the Thai partner is in the box seat, and the foreign company brings all of the know how, a big wedge of the cash and an awful lot of the know how. This model in and of itself is utterly stultifying to career development of employees and inhibits entrepreneuralism. Why?

Because the Thai partner is already planning how to drive salaries to the absolute bottom to feather his own nest and give his son a job to create an wealth acquiring business, not a wealth creating business.He has been given the golden egg on a plate because of existing wealth and connections. This relies on barriers to entry for others, because not every foreign company will take this route, they will take a route where they can own their company 100%. Just look at the extremely wealthy businesses in Thailand, nearly all of them rely on protected business models and low wages by international standards.

The possibility that an employee can rise to the top of management is there, but the family still retains their 50% shareholding and often want to extort an above average return by iinternational standards. So where is the incentive to really invest in R&D? Very little. Keep the business running, keep others out, and make hay. The wealthiest man in the country gets rich on the back of a share holding in an energy drink company overseas, and the second wealthiest gets rich on the back of producing chicken, pork and 7-11. Hardly ground breaking stuff.

Could you imagine if a Thai person came up with an idea that would revolutionize any market that was dominated by existing Thai companies? He or she would not get a baht in funding from anyone. They would co-opt him into the company and take the idea for themselves. Something will give one day, but the reality of all of this protectionism for business is actually becoming a brake on the Thai economy not a benefit.

Edited May 17, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[akspace]

So there we have it, Thailand doesn't produce scientists because the business models here extend to family majority ownership, or business connection ownership who don't see the value in innovation and invention. The top salary belongs to the owner, and the business model relies extremely heavily on having cheap workers, not innovators. Do you think a company in Thailand would pay royalties to an in house patent creator on the going international rate?

What is the going rate for a employee patent in Thailand? Around here we don't get royalties, we get a one time payout of around 150,000 baht per patent, that is the industry standard actually. Of course most of these patents make no money they are just used as defense in patent litigation lawsuits (or ammunition when going after another company).

[Thai at Heart]

So there we have it, Thailand doesn't produce scientists because the business models here extend to family majority ownership, or business connection ownership who don't see the value in innovation and invention. The top salary belongs to the owner, and the business model relies extremely heavily on having cheap workers, not innovators. Do you think a company in Thailand would pay royalties to an in house patent creator on the going international rate?

What is the going rate for a employee patent in Thailand? Around here we don't get royalties, we get a one time payout of around 150,000 baht per patent, that is the industry standard actually. Of course most of these patents make no money they are just used as defense in patent litigation lawsuits (or ammunition when going after another company).

Very standard is an ongoing percentage of revenue or profit internationally.

Edited May 17, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[clockman]

Remember a thai buisness plan, is sometimes called a gun!

[thequietman]

I disagree wholeheartedly.

There are a lot of "Rocket Scientists" in my village. They are everywhere.

[Tywais]

I said it before and will say it again. Why did they recently do a massive cut in university research funds? We had a 60% cut at a major research facility that has prevented obtaining new graduate level science students. We do have some of the very top students, ones that are given full grants and as such not necessary to fund for them, but the others we can't afford to get now.

For the comment about research labs, you might want to visit my profile and take a look at my university home page. There is some very heavy duty, top tier research going on here. But lack of funding may end up de-commisioning some of the systems.

It is frustrating as the ability of these students are very high including independent thinking and creativity - regardless of the TV naysayers. This is from 20 years experience working at a University research facility and have guided many graduate and PhD students.

[anon467367354]

Thailand's education system sucks because it lacks scientists, not that their aren't any scientists because the education system sucks. And the painted ponies go up and down..........

Edited May 17, 2013 by gr8fldanielle

[teacherofwoe]

''It is important that the country produce its own original items instead of building on someone else’s idea''

But copying is what Thais do best.

[chrisloh]

My gf is a scientist and associate professor with a PhD from KU. Her passion is teaching and hope to impart her knowledge through teaching. She is now a lecturer, administrator and Assoc Dean with Burapha U for the last 6 years since graduating. Her last drawn is less than THB30000. It's only her passion that kept her in the job.

[Thai at Heart]

Of course, they could just do like the rest of the world and give Thai nationality to talented working foreigners.

No one really wants imported scientists to really feel like they belong here anyway.

Edited May 17, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[newermonkey]

oh;really, der!

Thais have no hope in hell of producing thinkers take a look at this kid - 99.999% of Thais would have no idea what he is talking about!!!

Edited May 17, 2013 by newermonkey

[Card]

"Education Minister Pongthep Thepkanjana said during the opening of the science scholarship program that Thailand has taken out very few patents when compared to other countries."

One of the main reasons that so few apply for scholarships is that the Ministry of Education has an abysmalrecord of educating Thai children. If the way to becoming a scientist was learning by rote and not by asking questions of the teachers or original thinking then Thailand would be a world leader.

Firstly get rid of ALL the education ministers and ALL the civil servants over 25 years old and replace them wioth farangs on the condition that the farang teachers train the Thais into their job. When that happens and a child asks a Thai teacher a question that the teacher does not know the answer too the teachers response must be, I'm sorry that I don't know the answer. However I WILL find out and get back to you as soon as I know.

That is when Thai education is working.

Huggh? The Thai teacher's response should be to guide kid on how he can find the answer for himself instead of asking someone else.

[ChanJoonYee]

"Education Minister Pongthep Thepkanjana said during the opening of the science scholarship program that Thailand has taken out very few patents when compared to other countries."

One of the main reasons that so few apply for scholarships is that the Ministry of Education has an abysmalrecord of educating Thai children. If the way to becoming a scientist was learning by rote and not by asking questions of the teachers or original thinking then Thailand would be a world leader.

Firstly get rid of ALL the education ministers and ALL the civil servants over 25 years old and replace them wioth farangs on the condition that the farang teachers train the Thais into their job. When that happens and a child asks a Thai teacher a question that the teacher does not know the answer too the teachers response must be, I'm sorry that I don't know the answer. However I WILL find out and get back to you as soon as I know.

That is when Thai education is working.

Unless you are prepared to pay the specialist farangs a high Pay rate $100 to 200 grand year , no one would be interested in coming , like it is now, also don't forget the trainee's need to have a very good understanding of English, something that you wont see either.

I disagree. Many talented foreigners are spellbound and will gladly waste a few years of their lives or even their entire fortunes here.

[givenall]

Just make some up. Amazing Thailand

Sent from my ST18a using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Thai at Heart]

"Education Minister Pongthep Thepkanjana said during the opening of the science scholarship program that Thailand has taken out very few patents when compared to other countries."

One of the main reasons that so few apply for scholarships is that the Ministry of Education has an abysmalrecord of educating Thai children. If the way to becoming a scientist was learning by rote and not by asking questions of the teachers or original thinking then Thailand would be a world leader.

Firstly get rid of ALL the education ministers and ALL the civil servants over 25 years old and replace them wioth farangs on the condition that the farang teachers train the Thais into their job. When that happens and a child asks a Thai teacher a question that the teacher does not know the answer too the teachers response must be, I'm sorry that I don't know the answer. However I WILL find out and get back to you as soon as I know.

That is when Thai education is working.

Unless you are prepared to pay the specialist farangs a high Pay rate $100 to 200 grand year , no one would be interested in coming , like it is now, also don't forget the trainee's need to have a very good understanding of English, something that you wont see either.

I disagree. Many talented foreigners are spellbound and will gladly waste a few years of their lives or even their entire fortunes here.

But look at silicon valley, millions of people who studied and stayed. Today one year work permit and on your way if it ends.

[BrianCR]

oh;really, der!

Thais have no hope in hell of producing thinkers take a look at this kid - 99.999% of Thais would have no idea what he is talking about!!!

Excuse my saving so but, 99.999% of Westerners wouldn't either!!

[chooka]

oh;really, der!

Thais have no hope in hell of producing thinkers take a look at this kid - 99.999% of Thais would have no idea what he is talking about!!!

What is he talking about???

[zydeco]

Maybe call NASA? Oops, forgot. The government kicked them out. Back to the knockoffs and counterfeits.

[MaxLee]

Education Min says Thailand lacks scientists

Scientists and environmental activists are unwanted by the Thai government dogs, ask Ploddi, who recently despised them as scum

The Thai feudal government are shutting scientists down in order to preserve face of their own feudal corrupt political mafia clan.

Scientist or environmental jobs in general are categorized as "dirty and boring work and ugly" by the majority of Thai people....

[Scott]

Off-topic posts deleted.

[ginjag]

Education Min says Thailand lacks scientists

Scientists and environmental activists are unwanted by the Thai government dogs, ask Ploddi, who recently despised them as scum

The Thai feudal government are shutting scientists down in order to preserve face of their own feudal corrupt political mafia clan.

Scientist or environmental jobs in general are categorized as "dirty and boring work and ugly" by the majority of Thai people....

Can you buy a certificate to say you are a scientist, NO---- Thats why there is a lack of them.