Firms making tablet PCs late and face fines: Chaturon

[webfact]

Firms making tablet PCs late and face fines: Chaturon
Chuleeporn Aramnet
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- All three successful bidders for the government's "One Tablet per Child" project have failed to deliver the devices on time.

"We are going to fine them," caretaker Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang said yesterday.

He said the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) had been instructed to handle the matter. Procurement contracts allow a fine to be imposed on these suppliers for delayed deliveries, due late last month.

"We may even have to terminate contracts," Chaturon said.

An informed source said the daily fine for the firms could range from Bt980,000 to Bt1.5 million each. But the total maximum fine shall not exceed 10 per cent of the procurement budget. When the fine amount reaches this ceiling, the contracts must be terminated.

The government earmarked Bt4.61 billion for the procurement of 1.6 million tablet computers for the 2013 academic year. These tablets are due to be handed out to Prathom 1 and Mathayom 1 students under the project, which is one of the Pheu Thai Party's populist policies.

However, with the academic year reaching its final months, the suppliers have not yet delivered the tablets.

"The Obec plans a meeting with two suppliers next week," a source at the Education Ministry said.

Chaturon complained that the delay had caused damage to students and teachers, who should have already got tablets for their study and teaching.


-- The Nation 2014-01-04

[davehowden]

"An informed source said the daily fine for the firms could range from Bt980,000 to Bt1.5 million each"

Maybe they found a solution to the lack of rice funds?

[EricBerg]

Pre-elections muscle talk. Look at us, we're a no-nonsense, tough government.

[ChrisY1]

And off they go again, sprouting never to happen things.

Fine the companies?......cancel contracts?......there's been a lot of money changed hands no doubt....somehow all this has to be to disappear soon......

[ginjag]

3 Years waiting for crap. unbelievable, remember Yingluck holding up a SAMSUNG and we get a hongcowbeijpeking

[hellodolly]

And off they go again, sprouting never to happen things.

Fine the companies?......cancel contracts?......there's been a lot of money changed hands no doubt....somehow all this has to be to disappear soon......

Information on there usefulness has been pretty sketchy. Has any one had experience with them? All I have heard is negative.

[selftaopath]

Sorry if I missed it, but did the "govt" pay before delivery? TIT. Never pay b/f work is completed. Or maybe that was the "deal" i.e. order pay (brother in law/cousin etc.) to sit on the funds until said "contract" was forgotten then distribute said funds to "The Family."

Off topic but somewhat related. Did the govt. renege on their "bonus" to low level govt. workers? My wife's friend said her bonus was CANCELED. lol

[ginjag]

And off they go again, sprouting never to happen things.

Fine the companies?......cancel contracts?......there's been a lot of money changed hands no doubt....somehow all this has to be to disappear soon......

Information on there usefulness has been pretty sketchy. Has any one had experience with them? All I have heard is negative.

Pretty shocking cr#p, love to know how many of the few delivered are still working. Think someone is making these in a shed up country, and has fallen ill because of the cold weather.

[Maha Sarakham Marty]

More problems in yet another Thaksin Thinks, Pheu Thai Acts scheme that was based on lies (ALL students in ALL grades to receive a tablet).

Sleazy and deceitful and implemented by incompetents.

The hallmark of Yingluck's legacy.

Edited January 4, 2014 by Maha Sarakham Marty

[jaltsc]

"All three successful bidders for the government's 'One Tablet per Child' project have failed to deliver the devices on time.
'We are going to fine them'..."

And, who is going to fine the government for not delivering on time the promised rice payments to the farmers? They sure know how to point the finger at everyone but themselves.

[DLock]

"...we are going to fine them".

Somewhere in Shenzen, a lot of Chinese people are laughing about now.

I'd be surprised if the components for these crappy tablets are still be manufactured anymore.

Fail.

[gabruce]

Sorry if I missed it, but did the "govt" pay before delivery? TIT. Never pay b/f work is completed. Or maybe that was the "deal" i.e. order pay (brother in law/cousin etc.) to sit on the funds until said "contract" was forgotten then distribute said funds to "The Family."

Off topic but somewhat related. Did the govt. renege on their "bonus" to low level govt. workers? My wife's friend said her bonus was CANCELED. lol

Seems like a great plan. Pay for the tablets. When they don't deliver, fine them until the fines reach 10%. Then cancel the contract. I'm sure the fine print says that the firms keep the money if the contract is cancelled (small mistake by the government). Maybe they still have to pay the fine. So sad that's not my company!

[Hawk]

If the government had purchased the tablets on eBay and paid with Paypal they could have got a full refund for non delivery of goods but because they paid cash the tablet makers are indeed laughing as they lose nothing as they still have the tablets. From what I have seen, most of these Chinese tablet manufacturers are just small time operations, small work force, so they don't care about the nonsense threats, any surplus tablets can easily be sold off in the eastern European market or other ex Russian countries, like "creepistan".

Anyway the chips and stuff in these old tablets are quite ancient by today's standards, quad core, 2 gb ram, and the new octacore chip is coming very soon to a tablet near you. Also tablet prices are dropping everywhere, India sells some extremely cheap tablets which work, then there are cheapies made by Tesco, Polaroid etc. Half the budget for these rubbish tablets has already disappeared into various pockets, so nothing the government can do or say, the Chinese are now calling the shots. Thai people have told me that these ancient tablets are beyond terrible.

[Ricardo]

If the manufacturers are fined for non/late-delivery, would they not also expect a refund on any sales-commissions or inducements, which they might have paid in order to win the contracts ?

[JRSoul]

"Fine them" or find them. I'm guessing big advances paid, tablets not arriving, phone disconnected.

[tomyummer]

Sorry if I missed it, but did the "govt" pay before delivery? TIT. Never pay b/f work is completed. Or maybe that was the "deal" i.e. order pay (brother in law/cousin etc.) to sit on the funds until said "contract" was forgotten then distribute said funds to "The Family."

The government must have paid something first, otherwise there would be no 30% pay off which is normally demanded at the signing of the contract. Most times it's out of pocket, but with such a large amount the 'lobbyist' may help to expedite some initial payment. Yes, I have experienced it first hand.

[noitom]

The 'rigged" Thai tablet bidding case and scenario continues to unfold. Follow the money here.

[noikrit]

Another Classic SHIN CLAN BLUNDER ... sooo wheres the money ????? I just feel for the Kids, another slip for their education caused by the Shin Elite ... , And what do the voting parents think ???? Mai Phen Rai .... it's all starting to come out now ...

[otherstuff1957]

Given the limited battery life of the tablets and the limited recharging facilities in most schools, the concept of using them to replace paper textbooks simply could not happen. "Tablets" was simply added as another subject to be taught once a week or replaced their regular computer classes.

[slapout]

Trace the conection with the Chinese companies who are susposed to deliver and the people in Thailand who have been involved in the bidding, payment, government finances, bid bonds, performance bonds, and I feel confident that a trail will lead to those who are laughing all the way to hiding their iill gotten gains.

The stong protests against this government's Ministries are coming from those who are on the front lines (teachers. healthcare workers, etc) Then add in those who pointed out the high probabality of failure from the get go, and there are no more 'monkeys' who believe in the unlimited crop of peanuts.

Many give PT the projection of a election victory, but who is going to vote for them. They have screwed several million rice farmers, rubber, corn, and fruit famers, then add in the individuals they left hanging with the other populist promises, as well as the general public who they promised, how much better off they would be, if "you give me a chance". Why would even a slight minority of voters vote for this group of total incompentants?

[PeterSmiles]

All three suppliers are only 9 months late on delivery , as they should have delivered May 2013

Sounds a bit fishy isn't it ?

[Thait Spot]

Yet another failed policy

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[retsdon]

And off they go again, sprouting never to happen things.

Fine the companies?......cancel contracts?......there's been a lot of money changed hands no doubt....somehow all this has to be to disappear soon......

Information on there usefulness has been pretty sketchy. Has any one had experience with them? All I have heard is negative.

A tablet is just a hand-held computer so it's only as good as what's loaded onto it or the network it's connected to. I work at a pretty hi-tech university in the Middle East and most of our teaching is done the old-fashioned way with books - simply because it's easier and more effective most of the time. Anyway, whatever the benefits, computers are no substitute for properly motivated teachers, a decent curriculum and manageable class sizes. But to fix the basics would require hard work and long-term commitment.

My own view of the tablet scheme is that it's gimmicky nonsense, but it sounds good and no doubt somebody somewhere is trousering a lot of money from it.

[JRSoul]

Another Classic SHIN CLAN BLUNDER ... sooo wheres the money ????? I just feel for the Kids, another slip for their education caused by the Shin Elite ... , And what do the voting parents think ???? Mai Phen Rai .... it's all starting to come out now ...

The voting parents I know would rather have the uniform and text subsidy. That they would be scrapped was not announced until after the election, and they become a hot topic of conversation every "return to school."

[Bpuumike]

All three suppliers are only 9 months late on delivery , as they should have delivered May 2013

Sounds a bit fishy isn't it ?

Have to wonder if they ever got paid anything.

[lemonjelly]

The Pheu Thai-led "Tablet PC per Child" initiative, which aimed to distribute free tablet computers to schoolchildren could be scrapped.

Officials are in talks about replacing the policy with a new way of enhancing education.

Pawit Thongroj, an adviser to Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang, says he will suggest to the minister that the provision of tablets to students in Prathom and Mathayom 1 classes ends.

A "smart classroom" using technology to enhance teaching and learning in schools could be introduced instead, the adviser said.

The smart classroom would be equipped with about 30 tablet computers, a smart board, server and class-management software.

The smart classroom would make better use of the state's education budget and avoid procurement problems such as those encountered with the free-tablet policy, said Mr Pawit, one of the Pheu Thai Party's education policy experts.

Although students will not have their own personal device, they will be able to make use of what the smart classroom has to offer.

The smart classroom will enable teachers to monitor their students' use of technology and allay concerns about young students surfing age-inappropriate content.

Mr Pawit said tablet distribution had entered its second year and data on the scheme is being collected and analysed.

The tablet policy, which was introduced in 2012, delivered about 800,000 tablet computers to all Prathom 1 students. The second phase last year was extended to cover Mathayom 1 students.

The number of delivered tablets so far is 1.6 million units, worth over 4.6 billion baht.

.......... maybe an excuse to cancel the contract and recoup funds.......... maybe...

[retsdon]

The Pheu Thai-led "Tablet PC per Child" initiative, which aimed to distribute free tablet computers to schoolchildren could be scrapped.

Officials are in talks about replacing the policy with a new way of enhancing education.

Pawit Thongroj, an adviser to Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang, says he will suggest to the minister that the provision of tablets to students in Prathom and Mathayom 1 classes ends.

A "smart classroom" using technology to enhance teaching and learning in schools could be introduced instead, the adviser said.

The smart classroom would be equipped with about 30 tablet computers, a smart board, server and class-management software.

The smart classroom would make better use of the state's education budget and avoid procurement problems such as those encountered with the free-tablet policy, said Mr Pawit, one of the Pheu Thai Party's education policy experts.

Although students will not have their own personal device, they will be able to make use of what the smart classroom has to offer.

The smart classroom will enable teachers to monitor their students' use of technology and allay concerns about young students surfing age-inappropriate content.

Mr Pawit said tablet distribution had entered its second year and data on the scheme is being collected and analysed.

The tablet policy, which was introduced in 2012, delivered about 800,000 tablet computers to all Prathom 1 students. The second phase last year was extended to cover Mathayom 1 students.

The number of delivered tablets so far is 1.6 million units, worth over 4.6 billion baht.

.......... maybe an excuse to cancel the contract and recoup funds.......... maybe...

The incompetence is staggering.

[FangFerang]

And off they go again, sprouting never to happen things.

Fine the companies?......cancel contracts?......there's been a lot of money changed hands no doubt....somehow all this has to be to disappear soon......

Information on there usefulness has been pretty sketchy. Has any one had experience with them? All I have heard is negative.

I have experience with them. The device is not the issue; it is the software inside them that makes the device viable or not. There are many very good educational software programs available, and they are all expensive. Computer science is a very big field, and my expertise is in information management, data mining, database design and management, and what some people call 'human engineering' (which deals with anticipating a person actually using a software or hardware system). I am a bit of a four trick pony; nonetheless, I believe the idea was a good one.

The execution of the idea is deplorable.

Kids love gadgets because we are inquisitive beings. The problem is the execution of the idea. The devices should be restricted to web surfing only educational sites (not in the strategic plan). The devices should come pre-loaded with the three DOE proclaimed pillars of education, being Maths, Science and Health loaded in Thai and English (not in the strategic plan either). And in keeping with ASEAN, there should be phonics programs for English pre-loaded for all levels of English so the user can progress at their own pace and neither be 'held back' nor 'stuffed forward'. For security, the devices should be locked out from inputs and downloads, to prevent cheating on assigned exercises (also not in the plan). Lastly, the devices should allow leisure use scaled to the amount of time spent on core subjects, i.e., three hours of completed Maths equals a half hour of leisure time (this part was not even considered in the plan).

Please forgive the long post. You asked a very short question with a very long answer, and for once I can contribute information instead of opinion. Thanks.

Edited January 4, 2014 by FangFerang

[Ulic]

A ridiculous program anyway. Hopefully it will run its course and be over with soon.

[hhiser]

Trace the conection with the Chinese companies who are susposed to deliver and the people in Thailand who have been involved in the bidding, payment, government finances, bid bonds, performance bonds, and I feel confident that a trail will lead to those who are laughing all the way to hiding their iill gotten gains.

The stong protests against this government's Ministries are coming from those who are on the front lines (teachers. healthcare workers, etc) Then add in those who pointed out the high probabality of failure from the get go, and there are no more 'monkeys' who believe in the unlimited crop of peanuts.

Many give PT the projection of a election victory, but who is going to vote for them. They have screwed several million rice farmers, rubber, corn, and fruit famers, then add in the individuals they left hanging with the other populist promises, as well as the general public who they promised, how much better off they would be, if "you give me a chance". Why would even a slight minority of voters vote for this group of total incompentants?

I seem to recall the first Chinese contractor refused to delivery the tablet they were contracted to make based upon non-payment. So I would agree with you, concerning the group who is responsible for the non-delivery of the tablets.

Who would vote for them again... Free whiskey, seems to be a very popular incentive to vote. At least in my village. Plus I have witnessed how well the ballot boxes are guarded at night. It is easy to remove all the ballots and stuff your own in there.

Edited January 4, 2014 by hhiser