Internet Problems

Posted by Mari Nicholson Feb 20, 2007

I've left the secuirty of my plush hotel for another look at Thailand's countryside. It is beautiful. Away from the city, the people are like those I met 20 years ago when Thailand was just emerging from a past dominated by tradition. It still is, to a large extent, as anyone reading the Bangkok Post for instance, can see for themselves.

Thai Education is still based largely on rote learning, children are taught never to question the teacher, never to question authoritiy of any kind. and more or less, to accept the status quo. I find this all very strange, and many teachers I speak to are frustrated at what they see as a fault in the system. They are unable to change things, but efforts are being made by many academics in Thailand's Universities to convince the government that things must change if Thailand is to equip herself for the technological age.

If no one questions things, there can be no innovation. No questions leads to no advancement.

I started thinking like this because my broadband connection is so slow, and when I query this and tear my hair out, the technician just smiles. "That's the way it is" he says and bows as he leaves, smiling. Up here in the country I can't do anything about it. Computers they know, some schools have them, but electricity is not always available. So, like the technician, I just smile and reach for another slice of papaya or mango as I say to myself "That's the way it is".