Thailand Says Bye-Bye to a Brighter Future

Need more evidence that wars and coupes aren't good for children, animals, and other living things? Look no further than Thailand, whose newly installed government (remember the military overthrow in September) is now backing out of the deal the previous administration had with OLPC to provide $100 laptops for every child in the country.

So instead of speeding ahead into a technology rich future where its citizens are able to compete in global markets, what plan does the education minister have in store for Thailand?

"We will not focus too much on technology and materials," said Wijit Srisaarn, Thailand's education minister, this week. "We will focus on substance."

Translation: "Poor kids aren't on our radar screen."
So much for change.

Andrew Venegas , San Jose , SJSU , Soapbox Prophet ,Tech , Chronicle of Higher Education , Thailand,blog ,OLPC , Hundred Dollar Laptop,Necroponte ,