BizBuzz

Since “digital economy” is the grand vision of the government, information and communications technologies will be of critical importance to transform Thailand’s economy. The use of digital technology will be a key tool to accelerate economic development. But that does not prevent many people in Thailand, even the ICT Minister and ICT reporters, to retain their fetish for astrology.

During a meet-up party held for ICT reporters, ICT Minister Pornchai Rujiprapa prepared his own horoscope and also cast the horoscope of every reporter. As most reporters wanted to know their fortune, they had to draw lots to take turns. After that, the reporters asked Pornchai, the last ICT Minister before the nomenclature is changed to Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, if he had read his own horoscope on whether he would become the first Digital Economy and Society Minister in the future? Pornchai laughed and said he would not tell.

Since taking up the post four months ago, Pornchai said he felt like he was holding a bomb all the time, confronting both “internal” and “external” battles, as there is opposition to the Digital Economic Law both inside and outside the ministry.

What’s fair?

Last week, the Tourism Authority of Thailand held its biggest travel fair – Thai Tourism Fair – at Lumpini Park in the heart of Bangkok. Though the event was being organised at the public park, on the opening day – January 14 – the TAT was worried about inconveniencing transportation for visitors, as it planned to close several roads for the parades.

TAT Governor Thawatchai Arunyik then moved to deal with some unfavourable reactions from social media that people may be unhappy with the event and perhaps face difficulties in getting around that evening.

Thawatchai asked his staff to send letters to schools located near Pathumwan, Ratchaprasong and Lumpini areas to shift after-class activities to other days. That move went off well. The next step was communicating with the public by broadcasting about the event through TV channels. That was also a success. At 1pm that day, a few hours before the parade began, people finished work and returned home earlier. But a lot of drivers were stuck on the roads.

Well, the broadcast of the parade and huge numbers who watched it should make the governor happy. But when the next morning came and all media reported the event, there was one big question: Will people come to see an event they had already seen on TV?”. Will Thawatchai and his crew think that excessive communication might bring unexpected feedback and avoid excessive publicity for the next event?

Contributed by Suchat Sritama