ICT Ministry spokesman eyes future in politics

Songkran Taechanarong, chief executive officer of Bonanza Kao Yai, 28, said that in his role as a businessman he looks after his firm, taking care of several hundred people and the administrative work by himself. But in his new role, he must work for the public and on policies that have an impact on the ministry, the people and the country.

He said politics was his ambition since he was young. When he worked at Bonanza Kao Yai, he delegated responsibilities systematically, putting the right man in the right job before taking the leap into politics. He believes that if the proper system is in place, it could continue to grow without his constant attention. Today, he still keeps an eye on the business, but leaves the administration to close aides so he can focus on his new job.

“I have no free time now because I work at the Information and Communications Technology Ministry all week and at the weekend I work at Bonanza – but it’s okay because I want to prove myself.”

He said he followed Pheu Thai MP candidates through the election campaign to learn about politics, elections and the political party system so he could be a politician in future.

He said to serve in his new role as ICT Ministry spokesperson, he had studied the ministry system – about technology and policy – and now he is ready for this work.

Songkran said he felt equipped for this position as he is a new-age person who grew up with modern technology and, like most young people, he is interested in it. The ministry needs young blood with vision that it can turn into a team.

Being a spokesman, he must clarify the ministry’s policies to the public, including ideas on how to solve ICT-related problems.

He said he thinks social media is important as we can get news from Twitter or Facebook faster than from newspapers, television or radio.

It makes our life easier, faster and smarter than before. However, on the other hand it can have harmful effects if people use it in the wrong way.

Personally, he thinks people can post anything on their Facebook wall or their Twitter page as long as they don’t violate the laws.

“We can’t tell everybody to change their beliefs. But some websites are dangerous, especially to youth, because of the access to pornography.

The ministry will put forward policy that creates a network to monitor illegal websites,” he said.

Songkran also talked about the dark days of his life when he was addicted to drugs. He was lucky that he could turn over a new leaf when he returned home after studying in New Zealand, and started working at Bonanza Kao Yai, his family business.

“I think pressure from other people who kept their eyes on me made me more determined to work hard to prove myself,” he said.

For his next step in politics, he said he wants to be an MP because he likes work that helps people and he prefers fieldwork to sitting in an office. But now, he must study politics as policies are important, too.

Songkran said it is too soon to reveal his ultimate goal in politics. He wants to focus only on his new role and wants to make it work well.