Thailand’s Electronic Government
Agency (EGA) will introduce the ‘Smart Box’, an integrated device
that provides connectivity and delivers government services through
smart card authentication for remote communities.
The Smart Box will enable remote
villagers especially farmers to access real-time agricultural
information. The streaming data will be customized to suit interest
and benefit of people in particular provinces, areas, and types of
cultivation. The information includes weather forecast, and market
price for rice, rubber, tapioca and etc.
The EGA is preparing to launch the
pilot project of Smart Box in Nakhon Nayok - a chosen province to be
the first Smart Province of ICT Ministry.
Apart from providing necessary
agricultural information, the Smart Box will be able to read Smart ID
Card and provide personal data and social welfare benefits attached
to each citizen.
The Smart Box has a similar shape to
cable TV box, featuring pre-set Intranet connected to the Government
Information Network (GIN), and wi-fi reception. Initially, it will be
installed in the community ICT centres, houses of village chiefs or
sub-district heads where there is fine connection of internet.
The units of Smart Box will be ready
for distribution in the next 3-4 months. The price per unit is
between THB 3,000 - 4,000 (US$ 95-126) depending on the specification
that the EGA will finalize.
(Source: FutureGov)