China firm wins tablet PCs contract

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China firm wins tablet PCs contract

Cost to govt is B2,482 for each Prathom 1 kid

Published: 6 Mar 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Shenzhen Scope Scientific Development Co has beaten three other Chinese companies to win a contract to supply 900,000 tablet computers for first graders in government schools.

The selection of Scope, which will supply the tablets at a cost of US$81 (2,482 baht) apiece will be put before the cabinet for approval today.

The 900,000 tablets will be distributed to all Prathom 1 (Grade 1) primary students this year under the Pheu Thai-led government's One Tablet PC Per Child scheme, aimed at promoting a knowledge-based and network-connected society.

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lancelot
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Discussion 18 : 06 Mar 2012 at 11.1318
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"Why 81 USD and not 80 USD ?
- Suppose to be a feng shui digit 8+1 = 9
- Are you sure? Maybe the real price is 80 USD + 1 USD as commission. So 900.000 tablets x 30 bahts = 27.000.000 Bahts
Good deal MrsPM you are as skill as your brother !!!!!
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attapon
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Discussion 17 : 06 Mar 2012 at 10.0617
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These kind of small tablet PCs can be broken, lost or robbed by children.
What the Education Ministry will do if there are, after few months, too much students without tablet in a classroom?
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rva
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Discussion 16 : 06 Mar 2012 at 10.0016
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I can understand M1, but what is a P1 student going to do with a tablet besides break it?
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meme
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Discussion 15 : 06 Mar 2012 at 09.5915
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"Information and Communications Technology Minister Anudith said the government would buy 900,000 tablets and to ensure there are spares if some malfunction.' Let's hope they have prepared at least 900,000 spare tablets for the first month ...
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orange
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Discussion 14 : 06 Mar 2012 at 09.5514
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Thats a real boost for those students IT education, making the right technology available, the tabs spec is very good and the price great fantastic. They will be able to download play lots of educastional games. Good job.
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rab-1
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Discussion 13 : 06 Mar 2012 at 09.3413
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In the discussions so far I see too many negative inputs. This is for the kids, Thailands future, why not support the effort. I think that $82 with a two year guarantee is an excellent price.

Re discussion 10. phetpeter, Thaksin is a Thai National, he is allowed to make a comment to the Bangkok Post, just as you have been allowed to.
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bkksim
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Discussion 12 : 06 Mar 2012 at 09.2012
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Wow the defenders are out so quickly today!
Shenzhen Scope Scientific Development Co Be interesting to see if the company has any ties to people in Thailand.
This one was chosen because it was the cheapest.
This is not the best reason to buy something.
Look at all the other rubbish that comes in from China and breaks within a week.

Interesting point from geoffo
"If Somchai trips and breaks it -what happens-Mum and Dad pay or he misses out."
What will happen?
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koolbreez
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Discussion 11 : 06 Mar 2012 at 09.0011
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The question has to be asked, what part of the education budget is being gutted to complete the financing of this project? Also why has the government not fully funded this without taking precious moneys from the education budget?

With the final price of these units, and their required configuration, and the supposed requirements for the higher level units there should not be such a huge price difference.

If the powers that be stick to a typical program there will be a customs duty charged on the import of each of these units, and being they could easily be classed as luxury that would be 200%. This is the loophole, and possible graft angle, the transportation costs, and import costs. They surely won't be imported duty free, or transported to the students at actual costs for fuel.
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phetpeter
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Discussion 10 : 06 Mar 2012 at 07.3310
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The lowest price of $81, excluding transportation costs. Now theres a loop hole that allows someone to make a few baht! The fact is the chinese company can deliver to the departure point, and Thai airforce can fly them in for free! The Thai army can pick up and deliver in Thailand for free! Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra earlier told the Bangkok Post that as the cost for tablets was lower than expected, the project would be expanded to Mathayom 1 students.

and what the hell has TS got to do with it!
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bkposter
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Discussion 9 : 06 Mar 2012 at 07.309
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It is amazing to me that the price came in so low...
RE: D2 do you actually have any facts to back up your claims of a kickback? or are you just making unfounded accusations for political reasons? maybe they signed a secret deal in the four seasons club lounge? or maybe someone was drunk and signed it? or maybe it is a plot to thwart the LM laws? maybe some one should be impeached for something?
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