Thailand's ICT ministry and private sector plan strategies for the ASEAN market of 2015

Thailand's new ICT Minister, Anudith Nakornthap, will promote fair treatment in the telecom industry on a lawful and transparent basis and promote equal access to ICT services at affordable prices. His agenda includes driving Thailand's ICT industry to make it competitive within the ASEAN Economic Community after 2015, executing the free-tablet policy for primary students, encouraging 3G-licence auctions, and making broadband networks available throughout the country.

The Nation reported leading private sector leaders concurring:

Cisco Systems (Thailand)'s managing director Tatchapol Poshyanonda, agreed that the minister's long-term plan should include strategic ICT initiatives, including national broadband networks, Smart Government and e-Citizen plans, along with policies to drive Thailand to become a hub within the ASEAN Economic Community for Web and tourism services.

Dell Corporation's managing director for Thailand and Indochina Anothai Wettayakorn would like to see the ICT ministry focus on developing skilled IT workers in order to prepare Thailand to compete in the coming ASEAN Economic Community.