THAILAND

STATEMENT BY Mr. Kraisorn Pornsutee
Head of Delegation

Mr. Chairman,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure and privilege for me and the Thai delegation to attend this very important Conference, the Plenipotentiary Conference 2006, with distinguished delegates from each Member State. First of all, Mr. Chairman, I would like to congratulate you on being elected to the Chairmanship of this international Conference. With your capable and skillful guidance, I am certain that the Conference will come to a fruitful conclusion.

On behalf of the Thai delegation, allow me to express my deepest gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Turkey for hosting the Conference in this wonderful country. My appreciation also goes to the people of the Republic of Turkey for their warm welcome and hospitality extended to us.

From the very beginning of the 21st Century, Thailand pledged its commitment to reap benefits of Information and Communication Technology for the country development. Thailand ICT development is currently guided by two blueprints: The National IT Policy Framework, IT 2010 and Thailand ICT Master Plan 2002-2006.

The goal of IT 2010 policy framework is to move the country forward with the help of ICT from where we are to become a knowledge-based economy by the end of 2010. From there, our next step is to further leverage on ICT advancement to move Thailand towards the status of a ubiquitous society. The IT 2010 policy framework concentrates itself on three key policies which are: first, Building knowledge-based human capital; second, Promoting innovation in economic and social systems; and third, Strengthening information infrastructure.

As to the ICT Master Plan, our current Master Plan emphasizes the use of ICT to enhance the quality of life and society through the development of information infrastructure in such a way that useful information becomes conveniently and efficiently accessible to all Thai people whenever required. Such infrastructure is to serve as a vehicle for free flow of knowledge among Thai people of all walks. This will eventually enhance the living quality of people in rural communities as well as the operating quality of local industries.

In October 2002, the Government of Thailand has established the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology to be responsible for the implementation of the national plan and materialize the plan and vision into reality. This year, the Ministry is in the process of preparing the second National ICT Master Plan for the next five years covering the period of 2007 – 2011. This plan will become a guideline and framework for Thailand’s successive ICT development.

Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Toward to this end, my delegation wishes to reiterate our close relationship between the Union and the Government of Thailand in order to enhance mutual cooperation in global telecommunications development not only for a region but also for all ITU Members.

Thailand has contributed to the work of the Union by actively participating in every annual session of the Council during the previous and current terms, fully cooperating in the works of the General-Secretariat and the three Bureaus of the Union as well as collaborating with the ITU in hosting various activities in Thailand to enhance professional skills, information dissemination and exchange of views among telecommunication personnel in this region.

Mr. Chairman,

In conclusion, I would like to express my appreciation to the ITU for playing a significant role as the most important organization capable of equitably coordinating the world’s telecommunication resources. It is our firm belief that ITU is the global forum where all Member States can equally voice their views on policy and other regulatory issues for improving the quality of life of mankind.

Finally, I am confident that the conduct of this Conference under your chairmanship will lead to satisfying and fruitful results to all of us.

Thank you.