The National ICT Learning Center

After the storm yesterday it was pretty cool this morning. When we took the boat across the river there were many weeds being washed down the river from Ayutthaya. We went to the National ICT Learning Center in Central World Plaza. Because of energy conservation the mall and learning center do not open until 10:30. The ICT learning center was created to support technology adoption in Thailand. The center includes a seminar room, a professional demonstration center with exhibits by CISCO, Sun, Computer Associates, and Microsoft. There is a training room that can be rented, a digital arts training center, and a large well arranged and supplied room of computers for internet access. There is also a lab of Macintosh G5 computers for graphics arts. The center was well organized and seemed to be well supported. There were many people taking advantage of the internet access. The prices for internet usage were nominal. There was also an e-learning library that looked well stocked. Next to the ICT learning center, and funded by a different government agency is the TK Park with stands for the Thailand Knowledge Center. The Knowledge Park is supported by the Office of Knowledge Management and Development. The Park looked like it was targeting parents of children, it was better attended, there was a tour going on, and it looked like it was well organized and fun to use. All the software that I saw being used was Microsoft based. I am not sure what happened to the People PC emphasis on Linux, but I have seen no everyday evidence of its use.

Overall I was a little disappointed in the learning center. Many of the services provided should be provided by any large hotel. The Knowledge Park looked a little more useful, but its scale was small also. I guess every little bit helps, but it did seem like a pretty small enterprise for such an important need.

After visiting the ICT learning center we went to the Peninsula Plaza to change our plane tickets and to make our return trip reservations, we will be returning February 19th, the mall was very upscale with jewelry stores selling ornate diamond necklaces and a live piano providing music. The pianist was playing Moon River. It was very, very, upscale. I do not think I have seen so many expensive stores in one place. I sure do not remember seeing such luxury in Seattle. It was an experience.

We also decided yesterday that it was not work it for Jit to return to Alaska for a month of employment. The cost of the trip did not balance with the potential income. I also need Jit here, I still got pretty overwhelmed by Bangkok.

I still can not get over how Thai people love uniforms. Last trip we stayed at a hotel for one night. There was some kind of meeting going on in a conference room. I saw this man with a white uniform, braids on his shoulders, many campaign bars on his chest, an impressive militay hat, I thought he was an admiral----he was the elevator operator. As a has been, anti-authoritarian, egalitarian believing, hippy I have a hard time with this love of uniforms. Jeans and a tee shirt are not acceptable in a professional work environment. Oh well, I can sacrifice my fundamental values for awhile.