Exploring Exploring Electrical TechnologyElectrical Technology

Technology in Thailand: A Case Study Technology in Thailand: A Case Study Based on Based on

Sabbatical Research Sabbatical Research & Experience by& Experience by

Dr. Harold UnderwoodDr. Harold Underwood(June-October 2005) (June-October 2005)

Outline of Presentation Outline of Presentation

Purpose & Course ObjectivesPurpose & Course Objectives LocationLocation Case StudyCase Study Survey resultsSurvey results Conclusions About Social ImpactConclusions About Social Impact Demographics and Proposed Projects Demographics and Proposed Projects

of Personal Interestof Personal Interest

Purpose of Case StudyPurpose of Case Study GeneralGeneral

• Summarize status of technology in an Summarize status of technology in an Eastern culture including social impact: Eastern culture including social impact: offsets Western emphasis in this courseoffsets Western emphasis in this course

SpecificSpecific• Electrical power & communication tech. in Electrical power & communication tech. in

Thailand including cultural impact factorsThailand including cultural impact factors• Reveal results of survey dataReveal results of survey data

Connection to Connection to STW Course ObjectivesSTW Course Objectives

1.1. Illustrate how electrical technology Illustrate how electrical technology relates to other disciplines including relates to other disciplines including relevant issues such as:relevant issues such as:

• EconomicsEconomics• EnvironmentEnvironment• Politics Politics • International relations International relations • Social trends Social trends

(see syllabus objective b)(see syllabus objective b)

Connection to Connection to STW Course ObjectivesSTW Course Objectives

2.2. Reflect critically on the nature and Reflect critically on the nature and scope of science & technology byscope of science & technology by

• Observing how S&T has developed and Observing how S&T has developed and impacted Thailandimpacted Thailand

• Comparing corresponding Comparing corresponding development and impact in home development and impact in home culture culture

(see syllabus objective d) (see syllabus objective d)

Connection toConnection toSTW Course ObjectivesSTW Course Objectives

3.3. Develop own personal view of S&T Develop own personal view of S&T that is globally aware of that is globally aware of

• Other cultures including role of Other cultures including role of technology where you plan to travel technology where you plan to travel

• Technology worldwide, including gaps Technology worldwide, including gaps of the digital divide and the need to of the digital divide and the need to help distribute benefits of technology help distribute benefits of technology more evenlymore evenly

(see syllabus objective e) (see syllabus objective e)

Location: Thailand with itsLocation: Thailand with itsNeighboring Countries in SE AsiaNeighboring Countries in SE Asia

Chiang Mai located Chiang Mai located in the Mountainous in the Mountainous

North part of North part of ThailandThailand

The Temple (Wat) atop Doi Suthep is fairly typical of others throughout Thailand, a uniquely 95% Buddhist country

The Thai calendarThe Thai calendar

Thai traditional calendarThai traditional calendar• Ahead of ours (2551 vs 2008)!Ahead of ours (2551 vs 2008)!• Has New Year in April, hottest monthHas New Year in April, hottest month

Thai academic calendar thus divides Thai academic calendar thus divides into two semestersinto two semesters

11stst: June through October (rainy): June through October (rainy)• 22ndnd: November through March (dry): November through March (dry)

Thailand Case Study: Thailand Case Study: A Snapshot in TimeA Snapshot in Time

IntroductionIntroduction• For a decade (1986-1996), Thailand’s economy For a decade (1986-1996), Thailand’s economy

grew fastest in the world*grew fastest in the world*• Thailand described as “advanced developing Thailand described as “advanced developing

country”** model for role of science & country”** model for role of science & technology in growth processtechnology in growth process

• In 1997, Thailand’s economy crashed followed In 1997, Thailand’s economy crashed followed by an IMF bailout*by an IMF bailout*

**Yongyuth Yuthavong and Angela M. Wojcik, Science and Technology in Thailand: Lessons from a Developing Economy, NSTDA/UNESCO publishing, 1997.

*Pasuk Phongpaichit and Chris Baker, Thailand’s Boom and Bust, Silkworm Books, 1998.

Thai Internal Efforts to Stimulate Thai Internal Efforts to Stimulate Science & Technology (S&T)Science & Technology (S&T)

Goal: promote sustained growth and Goal: promote sustained growth and modernization from within modernization from within

Has history of establishing agenciesHas history of establishing agencies• 1956 National Research Council of 1956 National Research Council of

Thailand (NRCT)Thailand (NRCT)• 1963 Thailand Institute of Scientific and 1963 Thailand Institute of Scientific and

Technological Research (TISTR) Technological Research (TISTR) • 1979 Ministry of Science, Technology 1979 Ministry of Science, Technology

and Energy (MOSTE)and Energy (MOSTE)

Thai Internal Efforts to Stimulate Thai Internal Efforts to Stimulate Science & Technology (S&T)Science & Technology (S&T)

More recent established agenciesMore recent established agencies• 1985 Science and Technology 1985 Science and Technology

Development Board (STDB)Development Board (STDB) Thai-US cooperative $50M (USD) projectThai-US cooperative $50M (USD) project To strengthen research in the universitiesTo strengthen research in the universities Instituted 3 national centers for fundingInstituted 3 national centers for funding

• 1991 National Science and Technology 1991 National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) Development Agency (NSTDA)

Absorbed MOSTE, STDB and the 3 centersAbsorbed MOSTE, STDB and the 3 centers

Internal Efforts to Stimulate Internal Efforts to Stimulate Science & Technology (S&T)Science & Technology (S&T)

What has been the impact of these What has been the impact of these agencies?agencies?• Sources of funding forSources of funding for

State universities & enterprisesState universities & enterprises Government agenciesGovernment agencies

• Seldom led to commercial applications Seldom led to commercial applications in industryin industry

Other factors influenced how S&T Other factors influenced how S&T developed in Thailand more greatlydeveloped in Thailand more greatly

(Yuthavong & Wojcik 1997)

International Relations International Relations & Socioeconomic Shifts& Socioeconomic Shifts

Thai policy of openness & toleranceThai policy of openness & tolerance• Welcomed immigrants from China and Welcomed immigrants from China and

other bordering countriesother bordering countries• Accepted foreign investment from Japan Accepted foreign investment from Japan

United States and elsewhereUnited States and elsewhere Cheap labor & progressive policiesCheap labor & progressive policies

• Shifted people from rural to urban areasShifted people from rural to urban areas• Increased export manufacture including Increased export manufacture including

electronicselectronics (Phongpaichit & Baker 1998)

Global Economic MarketGlobal Economic Market

First Asian countries to enter with First Asian countries to enter with cheap exports: “Four Tigers”cheap exports: “Four Tigers”• Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, SingaporeKorea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore

Thailand emerged unexpectedly in Thailand emerged unexpectedly in the late 1980sthe late 1980s

Following Thailand were its neighborsFollowing Thailand were its neighbors• Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam,

Philippines and Myanmar Philippines and Myanmar

Economic GrowthEconomic Growth

Compared to its Asian neighbors, Compared to its Asian neighbors, Thailand grew fastest for a decadeThailand grew fastest for a decade

After its crash in 1997, & IMF bailout, After its crash in 1997, & IMF bailout, Thailand reemerged and continues Thailand reemerged and continues on a path of more conservative on a path of more conservative growth for the 21growth for the 21stst century century

Current Economic Indicators*Current Economic Indicators*

Statistics available for 1999-2003 Statistics available for 1999-2003 indicate some current trendsindicate some current trends• Population grew from 61 to 64 millionPopulation grew from 61 to 64 million• Labor force grew from 32 to 34 millionLabor force grew from 32 to 34 million• Unemployment dropped from 4 to 2%Unemployment dropped from 4 to 2%• Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grewGross Domestic Product (GDP) grew

From over $120 to over $140 B USDFrom over $120 to over $140 B USD Or from $2000 to $2200 per capitaOr from $2000 to $2200 per capita Ag to non-Ag sectors fixed at about 10:90%Ag to non-Ag sectors fixed at about 10:90%

*Thailand 2005 Indicators, ECTI-21/NECTEC/NSTDA Ministry of Science and Technology, 2005.

Current Economic IndicatorsCurrent Economic Indicators

Statistics for 1999-2003 also indicate Statistics for 1999-2003 also indicate • Exports grew from $57 to $78 billion while Exports grew from $57 to $78 billion while

imports grew from $48 to $74 billion for a imports grew from $48 to $74 billion for a sustained net trade surplussustained net trade surplus

• An exchange rate that has fluctuate around 40 An exchange rate that has fluctuate around 40 baht per $USDbaht per $USD

While these statistics suggest positive While these statistics suggest positive growth & stability, they don’t reveal how growth & stability, they don’t reveal how benefits of the growing economy have benefits of the growing economy have been distributed, such as in the rural been distributed, such as in the rural versus urban populations, nor specifically versus urban populations, nor specifically how electrical technology has developed. how electrical technology has developed.

Progress in Thai Electrical Progress in Thai Electrical Technology: Broadcast Comm.Technology: Broadcast Comm.

Broadcast TVBroadcast TV• Began serving Thailand in 1955Began serving Thailand in 1955• Now nearly all urban homes have a setNow nearly all urban homes have a set• More than 90% of villagers view the same More than 90% of villagers view the same

programs as their urban counterparts*programs as their urban counterparts* Broadcast radioBroadcast radio

• Has been being replaced by TV for manyHas been being replaced by TV for many• # listeners has decreased compared to the rise # listeners has decreased compared to the rise

of TV viewers over the past 25 yearsof TV viewers over the past 25 years• mostly only more educated Thai now keep mostly only more educated Thai now keep

radio as an alternative radio as an alternative *Harold E. Smith, Gayla S. Nieminen and May Kwi Win, Historical Dictionary of Thailand, 2nd edition, Scarecrow Press, Inc., 2005.

(Thailand 2005 Indicators)

Thailand Broadcast Thailand Broadcast Statistics by RegionStatistics by Region Access/use Access/use RadioRadio vs. vs. TVTV

(% households)(% households)• Overall national Overall national 5151::9292• 25 yr trends 25 yr trends 79-5179-51::17-9217-92• Regional access (map)Regional access (map)• Effect of educ. on usageEffect of educ. on usage

Primary or lower Primary or lower 3939::9292 Lower secondary Lower secondary 5555::9797 Upper secondary Upper secondary 5858::9797 Higher education Higher education 6262::9999

Source: Thailand ICT Indicators 2005, NECTEC/NSTDA/MST, Bangkok

57:91

51:90

44:93

64:94

48:93

Progress in Thai Electrical Progress in Thai Electrical Technology: Power Gen. & Dist.Technology: Power Gen. & Dist.

Thai government-owned companies have Thai government-owned companies have produced electricity since 1957 produced electricity since 1957 • using lignite, oil or natural gas as fuelusing lignite, oil or natural gas as fuel

CurrentlyCurrently• 30% of its electricity generated by hydropower30% of its electricity generated by hydropower• 70% thermally70% thermally

Meanwhile, Thailand has distributed its Meanwhile, Thailand has distributed its electricity to more than 90% of its villageselectricity to more than 90% of its villages

(Smith, Nieminen and Win 2005)

Progress in Thai Electrical Progress in Thai Electrical Technology: TelecommunicationsTechnology: Telecommunications

Landline Telephone communication Landline Telephone communication has grown modestlyhas grown modestly

Mobile phone communication has Mobile phone communication has grown rapidly grown rapidly

Telecommunication activity occurs Telecommunication activity occurs most intensely in the city most intensely in the city

Thailand Other ICTThailand Other ICTStatistics by RegionStatistics by Region

Telephone lines: Telephone lines: FixedFixed vs. vs. mobilemobile (/100 people) (/100 people)• Overall national Overall national 1010::3636• 4 yr trends 4 yr trends 8-108-10::6-366-36• Regional (see map)Regional (see map)

InternetInternet penetration penetration (#users/100 people)(#users/100 people)

• Overall (Overall (1010))• Regional (map)Regional (map)• Wi-Fi ?? (urban trend)Wi-Fi ?? (urban trend)

Source: Thailand ICT Indicators 2005, NECTEC/NSTDA/MST, Bangkok

39:42

5:19

5:135:29

5:208

27

610

10

Progress in Thai Electrical Progress in Thai Electrical Technology: Other WirelessTechnology: Other Wireless

11stst Thai communications satellite launched 1993 Thai communications satellite launched 1993 offering services foroffering services for• radio distributionradio distribution• telephone linkstelephone links• computer networks computer networks • TV broadcastTV broadcast

The Communications Authority of Thailand (CAT) The Communications Authority of Thailand (CAT) added high-speed internet access to satellite added high-speed internet access to satellite services in 2002 services in 2002

Broadband wireless (Wi-Fi) connectivity has Broadband wireless (Wi-Fi) connectivity has become increasingly popularbecome increasingly popular• Especially at internet cafes in the citiesEspecially at internet cafes in the cities• Provides yet another option for personal communication, Provides yet another option for personal communication,

public news and entertainment. public news and entertainment.

Analysis & Conclusions onAnalysis & Conclusions on Social Impact Social Impact

Electrical technology has progressed in Thailand, Electrical technology has progressed in Thailand, yet significant gaps remain between those who yet significant gaps remain between those who can and those who cannot access the benefits.can and those who cannot access the benefits.

Technology has brought real progress, but social Technology has brought real progress, but social problems remain.problems remain.

Some problems were masked during the boom, Some problems were masked during the boom, and revealed by the bust of 1997.and revealed by the bust of 1997. • While average real income doubled during the boom, division between While average real income doubled during the boom, division between

the rich and the poor widened much more rapidly, making Thailand the rich and the poor widened much more rapidly, making Thailand “one of the most unequal societies in the developing world.” “one of the most unequal societies in the developing world.”

• Growth came at the cost of damaging effects on the environment, Growth came at the cost of damaging effects on the environment, including deforestation and pollution. including deforestation and pollution.

• The speed of economic growth during the boom exceeded the ability of The speed of economic growth during the boom exceeded the ability of government policies and social efforts to adapt to the changes in a government policies and social efforts to adapt to the changes in a sustained way.sustained way.

Future growth by way of technology in Thailand, and in the Future growth by way of technology in Thailand, and in the world at large, should take needs of the less advantaged, world at large, should take needs of the less advantaged, health of the environment and sustainable policies more health of the environment and sustainable policies more fully into account. fully into account.

(Phongpaichit & Baker 1998)

Distribution of Distribution of Home Provinces Home Provinces

Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai (2525)) Lampang (Lampang (55)) Phrae (Phrae (44)) Chiang Rai (Chiang Rai (33)) Uttaradit (Uttaradit (33)) Phayao (Phayao (22)) Sukhothai (Sukhothai (22)) Udon Thani (Udon Thani (22)) Lamphun (Lamphun (22)) 7 Others (7 Others (11 each) each) 4 No response4 No response

25544

33

33

22

2222

1

22

11

1

1

11

Opportunity for Student Projects Opportunity for Student Projects with ISDSI in Thailand with ISDSI in Thailand

What is ISDSI? What is ISDSI? • International Sustainable Development Studies International Sustainable Development Studies

Institute Institute www.isdsi.org People, the Environment and Development white paperPeople, the Environment and Development white paper

• Offers Landscape-based experiential studies of Offers Landscape-based experiential studies of SE Asian ecosystems & culturesSE Asian ecosystems & cultures

• Combines X-cultural study, experiential Combines X-cultural study, experiential education and leadership developmenteducation and leadership development

• Run by Mark Ritchie, Ph.D. in SociologyRun by Mark Ritchie, Ph.D. in Sociology• An initiative of Kalamazoo College ranked #1 for An initiative of Kalamazoo College ranked #1 for

its study abroad program in 2003its study abroad program in 2003• Awarded best practice by Int’l Inst. EducationAwarded best practice by Int’l Inst. Education

What ISDSI can do for students in What ISDSI can do for students in a J-term Service Learning course a J-term Service Learning course

Context preparation & placementContext preparation & placement

Intensive Thai Language & Culture trainingIntensive Thai Language & Culture training

Project selection with NGO on location in Project selection with NGO on location in ThailandThailand

Risk management / Emergency Response Risk management / Emergency Response CapabilityCapability

Future Work: Future Work: Potential Projects with ISDSIPotential Projects with ISDSI

1) Wind Power on Lipe Island1) Wind Power on Lipe Island A few miles off coast of Thailand, but readily A few miles off coast of Thailand, but readily

accessible by boat in January (best weather)accessible by boat in January (best weather) Archipelago: offers reef study by snorkeling Archipelago: offers reef study by snorkeling Sea gypsies now run electricity generators, Sea gypsies now run electricity generators,

but how do they fuel them? At what cost? but how do they fuel them? At what cost? Project: study current practice & assess wind Project: study current practice & assess wind

or other alternative energy options or other alternative energy options

2) Community Level Water Systems2) Community Level Water Systems

Future Work:Future Work:Potential Projects with ISDSIPotential Projects with ISDSI

3) For Karen hill tribe people3) For Karen hill tribe people Help villagers apply solar PV gen’s (already provided Help villagers apply solar PV gen’s (already provided

by Thai gov’t) for benefits other than just light or TV by Thai gov’t) for benefits other than just light or TV Have some roads, but also 100-200 year old pathsHave some roads, but also 100-200 year old paths Design trails to survive rainy season using North Design trails to survive rainy season using North

American technology of the Pacific NorthwestAmerican technology of the Pacific Northwest

4) Upland Holistic Development (UHDP) 4) Upland Holistic Development (UHDP) Biogas (methane) production: converts farm wastes Biogas (methane) production: converts farm wastes

into cooking stove fuel – improve efficiencyinto cooking stove fuel – improve efficiency Check dams (weirs): uses appropriate small scale Check dams (weirs): uses appropriate small scale

technology for irrigation – test feasibilitytechnology for irrigation – test feasibility