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Published on April 18, 2008

The Nation

I read that the government is taking up the Thaksin policy of providing every child with a laptop computer. Then I read the aim was to provide one laptop for every 20 students. A rather different ratio and hardly enough for all the students to be able to take them home to do their homework.

But there are some other important issues which are never mentioned when this policy is pushed. Unfortunately these involve further expenditure.

Are the machines going to be running open-source software under Linux? If not, who will purchase the software? Are teachers qualified to train students in proper use of the machines? If not, does the project plan include scheduling for teachers to acquire the skills? Will there be at least one teacher in each school with high IT skills employed almost exclusively to keep the machines in working order? If the answer to any of these questions is "No", then in a very short time the laptops will be sitting unused because no one knows how to make them work properly or what useful features of the technology can be harnessed to enrich the learning process.

If, as the press release suggests, they are to be used just to provide electronic copies of existing textbooks, then the project is a disastrous waste of money.

Gareth Clayton

Bangkok

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Minister's son deserves a second chance if sincere

Anybody deserves a second chance, even a Wan Yoobumrung. When he says, "I know I've made mistakes. Now I want to prove I can work for society" we must give him an opportunity. But running for Parliament won't show whether people accept him or not, because people will be reacting to his father's might and money, not to Wan. If Wan wants to deceive himself, so be it.

But if he's sincere, and wants to work for society, first he should "walk a mile" in the shoes of those whom he professes to want to serve, to not only see but feel how they live and feel their concerns. For example, tramp the front lines for an NGO with the farmers, slum dwellers, or wat teachers in the South for, say, six months. Want something less strenuous? Be a chain-restaurant server, security guard or bus driver - living as they do and earning what they earn. Then come back and see what you can do for them.

For Wan's sake, I hope that he really reforms. Is he capable of doing it? I wish him the best.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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Alcohol ban won't prevent deaths on country roads

It was with consternation that I read the latest ludicrous policy pronouncement that consideration is being given to a total ban on alcohol sales during Songkran next year, presumably to reduce the number of deaths and injuries from traffic accidents. Statistics for annual road deaths in Thailand range from 13,000 (36 per day - Thai police sources) to 18,000 (49 per day - WHO estimate). In comparison the latest official statistics for Songkran show 276 deaths in a five-day period, or just over 55 per day - an increase of between 12 and 58 per cent depending on which of the original statistics you believe.

A ban on alcohol during Songkran is likely to be enforced only selectively - primarily in areas catering to tourists - leaving the rural population free to drink and drive at their leisure. Any such ban would have little impact on the actual number of road deaths.

I suggest the government consider two alternatives: A total ban on alcohol sales, 365 days a year, or tighten up and enforce anti-drink-driving legislation. Either would lead to a significant reduction in the number of alcohol-related road deaths, not only during Songkran but throughout the year. The total ban might be preferable however, as foreign tourists could then be 100 per-cent sure of the situation regarding alcohol sales before they book holidays in Thailand, rather than having ad-hoc drinking bans imposed upon them with little or no notice after they arrive.

Ling Mao

Bangkok

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