On August 4, 2012 at 8.00 am ICT Minister Anudith Nakornthap stated in “Yingluck’s Government Meets the People” program broadcasted via Radio Thailand.
Teerat Rattanasevi (host): Good morning and welcome to Yingluck’s Government Meets the People program. Today I, Teerat Ratanasevi, will be the host of the program. The previous clip shown was recorded from the event where PM Yingluck pushed the button as the symbol of the transfer of money to Women Fund around the country and the open of Bangkok Thai Expo 2012 at Challenger Hall, Impact Muang Thong Thani. Now we are at ICT Expo 2012. Let’s hear about the importance of this expo from the host of the event ICT minister Anudith Nakornthap.
ICT Minister Anudith Nakornthap: Good morning
Host: Why is the ICT Expo held from 3-6 August?
ICT Minister: Actually, ICT Expo used to be held every year but the event was cancelled for the past 3 years. For this year, we are ready during this time. Moreover, 4 August is the National Communications Day.
Host: What’s the concept of this year ICT Expo?
ICT Minister: This year’s concept is Smart Thailand Towards AEC
Host: This will show Thailand’s readiness in terms of ICT infrastructure for the establishment of AEC in 2 and a half years.
ICT Minister: The government gives precedence to this issue especially infrastructure. For ICT, there’s a great difference in the access to the internet. Therefore, the government would like to provide this service to the public as one of the infrastructure so that everyone in the country can use ICT to support their lives.
Host: Previously, we can see that there is a difference in social class, access to communication and digital. Hence, this project aims not only to provide service to those interested in ICT but to serve all the Thai people as the standard of living.
ICT Minister: Correct, within 2015 the government will provide electronic highway for everyone to send and receive information.
Host: What are the hi-light in the ICT Expo 2012 which is now being held at Challenger 3, Muang Thong Thani.
ICT Minister: This year is an auspicious year since it’s HM the King 85th birthday, HM the Queen 80th birthday and His Royal Highness Crown Prince 60th birthday. So, the first section of the expo is the royal pavilion where the participants can sign blessing through online kiosk by clicking at the photograph of HM the King, HM the Queen or HRH Crown Prince, then select the type of card and the blessing.
Host: There will be sentences available?
ICT Minister: Yes, after selecting the blessing sentence, the person has to fill in identification number. Other people who can’t attend the Expo can also go to www.weloveking.com
Host: from what we show here it’s welovekingonline.com which also uses the same system.
ICT Minister: Yes.
Host: And that’s for HM the King.
ICT Minister: For HM the Queen, the website is www.belovedqueen.com and for HRH Crown Prince, the website is www.crownprince60.com
Host: So after the royal pavilion, there’ll be various booths. Earlier you mentioned about ICT Ministry’s role in the installation of network system to prepare Thailand for AEC 2015. For “Smart”, what are the government’s policies involving the word “Smart”?
ICT Minister: Smart Thailand is the main policy with the aim to provide basic ICT function to everyone in the country equally and at fair price by 2020.
Host: The infrastructure is smart network.
ICT Minister: Yes, smart network system is an important infrastructure. After the enforcement of this policy, the rate of access to hi-speed internet increases from 12% to 30%.
Host: Which accounts for almost 20 million people.
ICT Minister: Yes and we aim to increase the number to 80% within 2015.
Host: In the same time, services provided by the government must be more convenient. How’s the smart government project?
ICT Minister: We have an agency in charge of implementing electronic government project.
Host: It’s very difficult for people in provincial area to even make an ID card.
ICT Minister: In the coming future, we will install equipment which can read information from smart card. Hence, future transaction with the government will be very convenient and fast.
Host: The equipment will be installed at home?
ICT Minister: It’ll be installed at the center of each community.
Host: For example, one for each district so, the people will no longer have to travel to the government office.
ICT Minister: Yes, this will lessen the time and money needed. ICT will be used to uplift the quality of life of the people.
Host: The government would like to improve the quality of life of the people. The time used for contacting government agencies can now be spent on working.
ICT Minister: Correct. Smart Thailand consists of Smart network, Smart Government and Smart Business meaning we use ICT to increase the efficiency.
Host: Smart Thailand means having a good network, smart government means providing government service using ICT and smart business means easier and faster transactions between the businesses. However, the internet network in Thailand is still slow. What are the government’s policies on this issue?
ICT Minister: Government will provide public free wi-fi. After the testing in more than 10,000 spots around the country to check the terms and conditions, yesterday PM Yingluck Shinawatra opened the project to provide ICT Free Wi-fi in 77 provinces around the country.
Host: What’s the speed of the Free Wi-fi?
ICT Minister: The speed won’t be as high as those provided by private sector but still appropriate. The speed of ICT Free Wi-fi is 2Mb/s which can serve the people on email and social network usage without any problem.
Host: How can I use the free Wi-fi?
ICT Minister: The name of the Wi-fi is ICT Free Wi-fi. After connecting to the network, you’ll be directed to the login page where you can register using your name and identification number. Then you’ll have to set up your own password. After being confirmed by the system, you can login using your name and the password.
Host: That name and password can be used forever?
ICT Minister: Your account will be removed from the system after 3 months of no login.
Host: How long can I use per time?
ICT Minister: 20 minutes.
Host: Which is appropriate for checking e-mail or sending information.
ICT Minister: Because this is public service. However, in area with low traffic you can re-login after 20 minutes.
Host: What is the cooperation from the private sector?
ICT Minister: We have to thank you SOE and private sector including NBTC, TOT, AIS, DTAC, True and 3BB for providing Wi-fi hot spots for the people in 77 provinces around the country without charging.
Host: Is there any goal on the number of spots next year?
ICT Minister: After the launch of the project today, we are sure that we can provide 100,000 spots within August. From the discussion with NBTC, NBTC will starts providing Wi-fi hot spots within the 1st or 2nd quarter of 2013 resulting in the minimum of 250,000 spots.
Host: Meaning Thailand will have wi-fi network for the people.
ICT Minister: This also reflects Thailand’s readiness in the establishment of AEC.
Host: So for this project, the public will receive free wi-fi service for 20 minutes but after 20 minutes if that person still wants to continue using the wi-fi in that area, he/she must pay to the service provider. How about the implementation of ICT in natural disaster warning?
ICT Minister: This is another important issue after the disaster last year. For this part, mainly we want the public to understand the warning system starting with the gathering of information by government agencies, the analysis, the transmission of information via SMS system via satellite to every agency and end at the public.
Host: In the time of natural disaster, in case of the failure of the main communication system, what is the backup plan?
ICT Minister: We have backup system to ensure communication among government agencies to provide help to the Thai people.
Host: For example, if the cell phone system collapses, we still have INMARSAT satellite?
ICT Minister: Yes, radio signal both in VHF, FM or HF can be communicated. In case of disaster, we will launch satellite trucks to the disaster area for the working team to communicate.
Host: The officers are trained to use these equipments?
ICT Minister: Yes. We’ll also set up warning system knowledge center. PM Yingluck launched the team to educate the public on this issue in 20 provinces yesterday.
Host: What’s the huge booth on natural disaster in the back about?
ICT Minister: That’s the film explaining the system by detail for example which information is gathered by which agency.
Host: ICT ministry can use this information to analyze and forecast.
ICT Minister: Correct, you can see here that we show how all the information is analyzed. We also have this part for the attendants to check if their provinces are in risky area. Anyone can follow analysis and result.
Host: via website?
ICT Minister: Yes.
Host: ICT ministry’s website?
ICT Minister: It’s a new website www.waterforthai.go.th
Host: Hence, everyone can check when the flood will reach his/her house at www.waterforthai.go.th
ICT Minister: and the website of the National Disaster Warning Center is www.ndwc.go.th
Host: From the entire exhibition, we can see the government’s role in providing warning on natural disaster as well as ICT infrastructure to the public. However, the private sector also plays an important role in ICT.
ICT Minister: Yes, we also have exhibition and product showcase from private companies. I’d like to invite the public to the expo to witness new technology and innovation in this fast growing industry. You’ll see the slimmest smart phone. Moreover, in ICT Expo 3-6 August, you can experience F1 or 4G speed. The system is being tested by private companies. Some companies say 10 Mb/s, 20Mb/s or even 250.
Host: some say 100 Mb/s. We can also see Thai people’s capability in software.
ICT Minister: Yes, especially for SME with limited budget. There are many local high quality software’s presented in this expo. Furthermore, most of the products in the product showcase are cheaper than the market.
Host: All the cell phone providers are here with some satellite TV providers and cell phone equipment sellers.
ICT Minister: Yes, so anyone interested in spending your holidays on exciting and informative event please visit the Bangkok International ICT Expo 2012 which will be held until 6 August 2012.
Host: Thank you very much for today.
ICT Minister: You’re welcome.
Host: Please don’t forget to visit the ICT Expo which will be held until 6 august at Challenger 3, Impact Muang Thong Thani. Thank you very much for today.