GOOGLE
Why not Thailand?
Eric Schmidt
Special to The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Eric Schmidt sees huge opportunities ahead if Thailand can free up Internet use.
This country has what it takes to be a major player in Asia, says Google's CEO, but not without an Internet that looks more like the rest of the world's

The rise of the Internet across the world has shifted into a new gear, where the next 5 billion to come online will be very different from the first 2 billion who used it. These people will live and work in countries like Thailand, and economies like Thailand's will be defined by the Internet as much as by their roads, schools or electrical grids.

The question is, what sort of Internet will Thailand choose? Building an Internet for a country means more than boosting the number of devices and connections. It also means the amount of information online: business addresses, literature, government services, museum exhibits, maps, textbooks, recipes and… well, as we all know, anything can be online, and what people can do with the Internet counts just as much as how many phones there are.

I find that a lot of businesspeople and officials from countries like Thailand ask "Why", when it comes to doing things online? As they build up their national Internet, they define the Internet according to all the things they don't want people to do with it. It's as if Henry Ford had started by defining the Model T as a car that couldn't drive on mud. I don't underestimate the Internet's dangers, and what's illegal offline should obviously be illegal online. But if you focus mostly on what people can't do with the Internet, you're wasting a national opportunity. If you focus on all the good things they can do with it, you find they flourish and so does your country.

To prove my case, all I have to do is point to the Thais who have looked at the Internet and, instead of asking "Why", asked "Why not?" That approach transformed their businesses and lives.

A vendor of muay thai boxing equipment started his business at just 23 and with the help of the Internet is now exporting his stuff to over 20 countries worldwide, without having to worry about middlemen or supply chains.

The Internet enables business ideas that might have once been seen as quirky to turn into successful and meaningful businesses. In Bangkok, Khun Ploy has been running a burial service for peoples' pets based on leads she gets from Internet marketing.

While we can't replace the need for doctors to physically attend patients for important diagnoses, doctors are finding they can help rural populations with their medical expertise by using Google's Hangouts tool for video conferencing.

As Thailand prepares for the arrival of the Asean Economic Community in 2015, its competitiveness will depend on these kinds of people, who look at the Internet and ask "Why not?"

And that's true culturally, as well. Hong Kong has set up a digital academy of educational videos; India uses the Internet to broadcast cricket; PSY used YouTube to become a global pop star. Imagine the possibilities when everyone in Thailand has the potential to follow that path. A small group of new-generation Thais, working from a garage, started a totally new format for a creative talk show that now has 1.3 million followers. If I had written that sentence 10 years ago, it would have been close to nonsense, unless they had a very large garage. But today, I'm sure you can guess how they did it. They put their show on YouTube.

Today, online platforms define a nation as much as museums or libraries. Already in Thailand, the value of online video is estimated at Bt41 billion, according to a recent study by Thammasat University.

Those ingredients suggest Thailand has what it takes to be a major player in Southeast Asia. But it can't do it without the Internet, and it can't do it without an Internet that looks more like the rest of the world's.

The same quirk in Thai law that has resulted in the oldest online portal, Pantip, needing an army of lawyers instead of engineers, also makes it challenging for international online platforms to offer localised services. Other countries have started from the same premise that I mentioned at the beginning. They assume that, first, you have to make your local Internet as locally relevant as possible.

Once you've created that foundation for growth, you figure out how to enforce the limits swiftly and effectively, so that Thai Internet users benefit from Thailand's Internet laws more than lawyers do. That approach allowed YouTube and Facebook to flourish in the US before going global.

If Thais had set up exactly the same services at roughly the same time, would they have had the same success? The vendor of boxing equipment who asked "Why not?" has found astonishing success on the Internet. Shouldn't that also be true for those people who want to make it as easy to post Thai content as it is to send an e-mail?

No country has got worse because of the Internet, and everyone will eventually be connected. Connectivity will not solve income inequality, though it will alleviate some of its more intractable causes, like lack of available education and economic opportunity.

However, this won't happen automatically. It will happen because people made deliberate choices, and the choices made across Southeast Asia when it comes to the Internet over the next few years will define the region for decades.

Thailand is taking the right steps with the one-tablet-per-child programme; the next step is to ask what will be on those tablets and how we can get as much Thai content there as possible. Otherwise, it will be like supplying everyone with books but only letting them write with white ink. Let's instead focus on making it as easy as possible for Thais to build the Internet that's right for their country, their village, their neighbourhood, their economy and, most of all, for them.


-- The Nation 2013-11-06

Here's where Thailand really falls behind the rest of the developing world.

The stranglehold of bandwidth and regulations of internet speed and other cell tower tricks is not stopping piracy. It is keeping the average Somchai down and uneducated!

I wonder how many Thai's read this and think it was a compliment and how many will realize it for the backhanded diss it really is.

Posts deleted. Please respond to the OP and not to off-topic remarks by other posters.

very simple to understand, Thais are insecure - protective - selfish - greedy - corrupt and generally frightened of things they can't control 100% exploit and make huge amounts of money at the expense of others - the internet frightens them because they cannot shut it down if they don't like what it's doing.

Oh I dunno, abhisit was extremely successful in shutting down large swathes of internet sites he didn't like - the most prolific sensor in recent Thai history, so your case hardly holds up that well.

Good Posting

I find that a lot of businesspeople and officials from countries like Thailand ask "Why"

BS, When do you here a Thai ask Why?

Because Google takes freely available information and monetised it through advertising.

Thais want to take useless info and get paid up front for it. I am amazed they let Google maps drive their cars all over without charging a fortune for the privilege.

Oh I dunno, abhisit was extremely successful in shutting down large swathes of internet sites he didn't like - the most prolific sensor in recent Thai history, so your case hardly holds up that well.

The most prolific censor in recent Thai history? The MICT is very reticent about releasing statistics, and if you are referring to the number of blocked URL's, you may be correct. Here is a chart put together by Thai lawyers:

According to this chart, Abhisit did indeed block more URLs than Yingluck has, but Yingluck has issued many more court orders, and these figures don't include 2013. Your idol may still beat Abhisit at the censorship game.

BTW, personally, I am opposed to all kinds of censorship and think that only the "don't shout FIRE in a crowded theater" level of censorship should be allowed.

Off-topic posts and replies deleted.

Because Google takes freely available information and monetised it through advertising.

Thais want to take useless info and get paid up front for it. I am amazed they let Google maps drive their cars all over without charging a fortune for the privilege.

At leased Thailand isn't charging 200-1000 USD in road taxes... and a bunch of other taxes like most of the western countries are

Because Google takes freely available information and monetised it through advertising.

Thais want to take useless info and get paid up front for it. I am amazed they let Google maps drive their cars all over without charging a fortune for the privilege.

At leased Thailand isn't charging 200-1000 USD in road taxes... and a bunch of other taxes like most of the western countries are

Funny that, and I might be wrong, but if I remember, the road tax on my Ford Focus last year was about 100 USD. And don't worry, the yearly taxes are more than made up for with the huge excise duties instead. If Thailand gets organised with VAT, it's taxes as a percentage will be well up there with the developed world. Most of the issue in Thailand is that taxes are evaded. If everyone paid what they were meant to pay, prices would be quite a way higher for many many things.

A post with inflammatory language has been removed. Please keep it civil. And tone down the Thai-bashing while at it....

Here's where Thailand really falls behind the rest of the developing world.

I can only assume you have no experience with the developing world outside of Thailand!

very simple to understand, Thais are insecure - protective - selfish - greedy - corrupt and generally frightened of things they can't control 100% exploit and make huge amounts of money at the expense of others - the internet frightens them because they cannot shut it down if they don't like what it's doing.

Oh I dunno, abhisit was extremely successful in shutting down large swathes of internet sites he didn't like - the most prolific sensor in recent Thai history, so your case hardly holds up that well.

Maybe you weren't here when Mr. T was in power. Editors and writers for Bangkok post were arrested and their work permits revoked for writing articles criticizing the government. He kept firm control of the papers. The internet I'm not sure as at that time is was still very slow for access outside of Thailand, might be because of censorship.

very simple to understand, Thais are insecure - protective - selfish - greedy - corrupt and generally frightened of things they can't control 100% exploit and make huge amounts of money at the expense of others - the internet frightens them because they cannot shut it down if they don't like what it's doing.

Oh I dunno, abhisit was extremely successful in shutting down large swathes of internet sites he didn't like - the most prolific sensor in recent Thai history, so your case hardly holds up that well.

Maybe you weren't here when Mr. T was in power. Editors and writers for Bangkok post were arrested and their work permits revoked for writing articles criticizing the government. He kept firm control of the papers. The internet I'm not sure as at that time is was still very slow for access outside of Thailand, might be because of censorship.

exactly my point - they can only control their own little part of the WWW and even then blocking certain sites could be seen as extreme censorship so it hasn't really happened.

also I didn't criticise any particular government - just how they all think - do you honestly think free speech exists in Thailand - ask yourself why - then read my post above again,

Been here 9 years and I was 43 on my first year here so contrary to previous deleted posts I'm certainly not some old bitter falang just a middle aged one posting my opinion based on observation

There`s a garage in Thailand ?

hey ERic Smidt

make google payments possible via EFT, like the rest of the world

Because Google takes freely available information and monetised it through advertising.

Thais want to take useless info and get paid up front for it. I am amazed they let Google maps drive their cars all over without charging a fortune for the privilege.

At leased Thailand isn't charging 200-1000 USD in road taxes... and a bunch of other taxes like most of the western countries are

NONSENSE, are you serious. what about the high import tax on most things. Think before you post

very simple to understand, Thais are insecure - protective - selfish - greedy - corrupt and generally frightened of things they can't control 100% exploit and make huge amounts of money at the expense of others - the internet frightens them because they cannot shut it down if they don't like what it's doing.

Oh I dunno, abhisit was extremely successful in shutting down large swathes of internet sites he didn't like - the most prolific sensor in recent Thai history, so your case hardly holds up that well.

Maybe you weren't here when Mr. T was in power. Editors and writers for Bangkok post were arrested and their work permits revoked for writing articles criticizing the government. He kept firm control of the papers. The internet I'm not sure as at that time is was still very slow for access outside of Thailand, might be because of censorship.

exactly my point - they can only control their own little part of the WWW and even then blocking certain sites could be seen as extreme censorship so it hasn't really happened.

also I didn't criticise any particular government - just how they all think - do you honestly think free speech exists in Thailand - ask yourself why - then read my post above again,

Been here 9 years and I was 43 on my first year here so contrary to previous deleted posts I'm certainly not some old bitter falang just a middle aged one posting my opinion based on observation

Then why do you want to live in a place full of greedy corrupt people?

very simple to understand, Thais are insecure - protective - selfish - greedy - corrupt and generally frightened of things they can't control 100% exploit and make huge amounts of money at the expense of others - the internet frightens them because they cannot shut it down if they don't like what it's doing.

Oh I dunno, abhisit was extremely successful in shutting down large swathes of internet sites he didn't like - the most prolific sensor in recent Thai history, so your case hardly holds up that well.

Maybe you weren't here when Mr. T was in power. Editors and writers for Bangkok post were arrested and their work permits revoked for writing articles criticizing the government. He kept firm control of the papers. The internet I'm not sure as at that time is was still very slow for access outside of Thailand, might be because of censorship.

exactly my point - they can only control their own little part of the WWW and even then blocking certain sites could be seen as extreme censorship so it hasn't really happened.

also I didn't criticise any particular government - just how they all think - do you honestly think free speech exists in Thailand - ask yourself why - then read my post above again,

Been here 9 years and I was 43 on my first year here so contrary to previous deleted posts I'm certainly not some old bitter falang just a middle aged one posting my opinion based on observation

Then why do you want to live in a place full of greedy corrupt people?

Coz it means you can buy your way to happiness?

exactly my point - they can only control their own little part of the WWW and even then blocking certain sites could be seen as extreme censorship so it hasn't really happened.

also I didn't criticise any particular government - just how they all think - do you honestly think free speech exists in Thailand - ask yourself why - then read my post above again,

Been here 9 years and I was 43 on my first year here so contrary to previous deleted posts I'm certainly not some old bitter falang just a middle aged one posting my opinion based on observation

Then why do you want to live in a place full of greedy corrupt people?

you really are trying to make this topic about the people posting rather than the actual topic - sorry but I'm not going there

I'll answer your question though ----------------------- Up to me, it's my business

Oh I dunno, abhisit was extremely successful in shutting down large swathes of internet sites he didn't like - the most prolific sensor in recent Thai history, so your case hardly holds up that well.

The most prolific censor in recent Thai history? The MICT is very reticent about releasing statistics, and if you are referring to the number of blocked URL's, you may be correct. Here is a chart put together by Thai lawyers:

According to this chart, Abhisit did indeed block more URLs than Yingluck has, but Yingluck has issued many more court orders, and these figures don't include 2013. Your idol may still beat Abhisit at the censorship game.

BTW, personally, I am opposed to all kinds of censorship and think that only the "don't shout FIRE in a crowded theater" level of censorship should be allowed.

I may be wrong, but wasn't that spike in blocked URLs around the time THAT youtube video came out and spawned a whole pile of offshoots?

Because Google takes freely available information and monetised it through advertising.

Thais want to take useless info and get paid up front for it. I am amazed they let Google maps drive their cars all over without charging a fortune for the privilege.

At leased Thailand isn't charging 200-1000 USD in road taxes... and a bunch of other taxes like most of the western countries are

NONSENSE, are you serious. what about the high import tax on most things. Think before you post

I don't know where you're from but Thailand is a Tax haven compared to Norway. Again, since I don't know where you're from then I don't know what kind of import taxes you're used to, but for me Thailand has low import taxes compared to Norway. I'm aware that Thailand has a quite high tax on car import, but still it's actually very low compared to Norway. It's actually quite understandable why Thailand as a car industry nation has high taxes on car import. Unlike Norway, it's done to tackle obvious problems. Norway has high taxes on car import to finance other financial sectors, while Thailand has high taxes on car import to deal with excessive car import, which is damaging for Thai economy and the car industry in Thailand.

What a very clever and diplomatic man!

Without making it at all obvious, Eric Schmidt has been able to criticise every aspect of the Thai ruling classes.

By making oblique references to other countries, he has highlighted the Thai government's attitude towards the education of the ordinary people. He gently defines all nations (thus obviously Thailand also) by focusing on what they do NOT want the internet to be - so hinting at repression and censorship without even mentioning the word. He somehow manages to paint a picture that there is a huge and interconnected world out there despite the fact that nationalistic propaganda proudly insists Thailand is self-sufficient and the finest country in the world. He introduces the looming spectre of ASEA almost as a passing mention. And then, with diplomatic flair, ends his discourse with seeming innocence, referring to the comedy show that was "one tablet per child" as if has been accomplished already. And innocuously tops it off with the image of uneducated children writing on paper with pens filled with white ink.

I wonder just how many of the Thai Top 300 were perceptive enough to read between the lines of what he was saying to them - assuming they read or heard this, or were not away vacationing or visiting their children at universities abroad - and that's also assuming, of course, that what Eric Schmidt said would concern them in the slightest.

R

Everyone (including Mr. Schmidt) may be right about internet-related problems in Thailand. But I'm 200% sure that Mr. Schmidt doesn't give a s..t about Thailand or any other country, not their government not their people. The only things they care about are making money and having piles of free information (which they can possibly sell to the US government or anyone else to again make money).

This is how things are in Thailand. That's why it's called Thailand, LOS, etc. If it was like Singapore, well, we could call it Singapore, not Thailand. Then personally I would consider living in the real Singapore not in (Singapore-like) Thailand. It's always good to criticize and question, but it makes me sick when people like him criticize a country as a whole, as if they care about its people.