From: sl2k+@andrew.cmu.edu (Schitt Laowattana)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.thai
Subject: Part(7):Major Problems and Limitations in S&TD in Thailand
Date: 12 Aug 92 10:20:29 GMT
Article-I.D.: andrew.YeWJNhO00UhBE2b4NN
Organization: Doctoral student, Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA


    I hope that Thai professionals ,who have lots of experiences, won't
stand still when there is demand for their helps (, eventhough, it's not
publicly advertised).  Below is  a series of information on "Major
Problems and Limitation in S&TD in Thailand".  Please share your helps
and opinions in these important issues.
 
Your Respectfully,
Schitt(DJ)

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                Part(7): Management Attitude

    The stage of industrial development in Thailand at present is such
that the development of technological capability takes second palce to
cost factors.  The technologies employed are not that sophisticated and
can be readily bought, competition is based mainly on cost rather than
quality, and most of the industries are labour rather than technology
intensive.  Such as industry structure engenders the feeling that
technology is of secondary importance and that there is no need to
develop or adapt technology.  Investment in any form of technological
capability development is seen as a cost which can be avoided.  As
Thailand's industrial structure becomes more complex, as modern
technologies become more essential, as customer become more quality
conscious, and as competition becomes more severe, such attitudes must
be changed.  Short-term profit seeking must be replaced by a concern for
long-term growth and survival.  Technology must be considered as the key
component of future competitiveness.

    These attitude changes cannot, of course, happen overnight.  Public
campaigns as well as successful cases from other countries have
contributed considerably towards such changes (for the better) in recent
years.  Actions will not be taken, however, until producing firms really
feel the need for investment in technology.  The Thai government must
also be prepared for these changes.  The development of suitably
qualified personel and provision of relevant infrastructural support,
both of which need a long time to accomplish, have to be carefully
planned and effectively implemented.

============================================================================
Please stand by for Part(8) on Deficiencies in Infrastructural
Support...in this net.


Posted by

Schitt(DJ)  Laowattana

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Current Address in USA:

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
USA
Tel. No. 268-8880
Fax. No. 268-3348
e-mail: sl2k@andrew.cmu.edu


Permanent Address in Thailand:

Center of Operation for FIeld roBOtics Development(FIBO)
King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Thonburi
91 Suksawasd 48  Ratburana  Bangmod
Bangkok 10140, Thailand

Tel. No. 428-3374, 427-4421 and 4270151-9 Ext. 461
Fax. No. 427-8077, 427-8787

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