Rangsaridh Boonsin, director of information, said the department is testing an electronic-office prototype, with the aim of reducing the time and complexity of operating processes.

Meanwhile, it will increase the efficiency of government agencies and utilise technology to manage internal administration and contact with external organisations.

He said that in the first stage, the department had started with the information centre office, so staff can submit forms over the Internet. This should be complete this year.

"The electronic office not only increases efficiency of services and the organisation as a whole, it also enables executives to access information via any device any time, anywhere," said Rangsaridh.

The department in the near future will also provide 1:4,000 colour maps to the public via e-commerce channels.

"The LDD is setting up a service centre to support new services which will provide the maps commercially," he said.

The department also allows farmers nationwide to order vetiver grass, seeds and organic fertiliser over the Internet.

For example, Somsak - a farmer who lives in Bangkok and has fields in Chiang Mai - wants to order seeds from the LDD for planting in Chiang Mai. He can order the seeds and organic

fertiliser by accessing the Internet and entering his identification number at www.ldd.go.th.

The system will send an online order to the head office, which will then distribute the order to regional offices or stations to provide the crop and organic fertiliser to Somsak at the destination he specifies.

The LDD has 12 regional offices and 76 stations across the country, with a head office in Bangkok which is able to communicate with brand offices via online services.

Jirapan Boonnoon

The Nation