Anonymous wrote:

---

 

VLC wrote:

---

I think we will go to future together, because we are one Asean...

---

Don't you think one day Asia will be able to from and use one currency just like the European union and the Europe , no visa to travel any where in Asia. When it might be possilbe 100 years from now ?

 

 

---

Yes maybe 100 years from now.  I don't see it happening soon.

 

earlier..., about 20 year later...

Anonymous wrote:

---

Anonymous wrote:

---

 

VLC wrote:

---

hah hah...
Thailand same an Iphone from Apple because IPhone has become a standard of the world's smart phone and Thailand has become a standard for other countries in Asean...

---

Why are you people are so into these thing? Do you have 3G yet?

 

---

We are gonna have 3G system to serve people by January next year.

Laos, Do you have enogh health care services for your people?

 

---

        We know that so do the United States not every one get good health care only the rich. The same in Thailand and any where on earth .money , money...is god.

 

Anonymous wrote:

---

This topic is now degenerating.....

---

       Why ? just talk the truth. Money is God. You don't have money and insurance the doctor and hospital will not treat you that is the truth.

 

Whiteman wrote:

---

Anonymous wrote:

---

 

Anonymous wrote:

---

 

VLC wrote:

---

hah hah...
Thailand same an Iphone from Apple because IPhone has become a standard of the world's smart phone and Thailand has become a standard for other countries in Asean...

---

Why are you people are so into these thing? Do you have 3G yet?

 

---

 We have 3G long before Laos but just within Chiangmai only not the whole country because of the law not allow. But just only Chiangmai there are more people than the whole country of Laos .

---

I'm a westerner who worked in thailand for a whlie. But now back in the state. i still follow thai's news and read it on the website. talking about 3G network, i  still heard your politicians and big telecommunication CEO debated about the Network. They were talking about upgrading GSM 1800-1900 to get a signal from 3G network. so, when you said, ChiangMai got 3G network long before laos. May i ask? Where in ChiangMai? and What is the name of the company??

 

---

         Sorry I don't know . Cambodia and Burma will know.

 

This discussion is now getting BORING!!!!!!

Let's bring on new topics.

ກະທູ້ໃດກະທູ້ນັ້ນ ມີແຕ່ສ້ຽມໃຫ້ໄທຍຕີກັບລາວ. ຢ່າເປັນບ້າຫຼາຍ,ພໍໄດ້ແລ້ວ.
ບາງຄົນທີ່ພິມລາວຫຼືໄທຍເປັນ ບໍ່ໄດ້ໝາຍຄວາມວ່າຈະແມ່ນຄົນລາວຫຼືຄົນໄທຍອີ່ຫຼີ
ຢ່າຕົກໂງ່ຄົນພວກນີ້.

Whiteman wrote:

---

Anonymous wrote:

---

 

Anonymous wrote:

---

 

VLC wrote:

---

hah hah...
Thailand same an Iphone from Apple because IPhone has become a standard of the world's smart phone and Thailand has become a standard for other countries in Asean...

---

Why are you people are so into these thing? Do you have 3G yet?

 

---

 We have 3G long before Laos but just within Chiangmai only not the whole country because of the law not allow. But just only Chiangmai there are more people than the whole country of Laos .

---

I'm a westerner who worked in thailand for a whlie. But now back in the state. i still follow thai's news and read it on the website. talking about 3G network, i  still heard your politicians and big telecommunication CEO debated about the Network. They were talking about upgrading GSM 1800-1900 to get a signal from 3G network. so, when you said, ChiangMai got 3G network long before laos. May i ask? Where in ChiangMai? and What is the name of the company??

 

---

Chiang Mai

 http://www.ais.co.th/3g/en/Coverage1.html


Chonburi

http://www.ais.co.th/3g/en/Coverage.html

3G เชียงใหม่ เร็วแค่ไหนมาดูกัน HSPDA 7.2 MB/s

---

เปรียบเทียบระหว่าง edge และ 3G ของ ais ครับ

รอรูปเีดี๋ยวมาอัพเดทให้ครับ lol

3G

Anonymous wrote:

---

Anonymous wrote:

---

 

Anonymous wrote:

---

 

VLC wrote:

---

hah hah...
Thailand same an Iphone from Apple because IPhone has become a standard of the world's smart phone and Thailand has become a standard for other countries in Asean...

---

Why are you people are so into these thing? Do you have 3G yet?

 

---

 We have 3G long before Laos but just within Chiangmai only not the whole country because of the law not allow. But just only Chiangmai there are more people than the whole country of Laos .

---

http://forums.overclockzone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=204877

 

---

It's Speakout, May i jump in!! if you don't mind,  Let' me correct you Brother about 3Gnetwork in Thailand. at present day, Thailand do not have 3G network yet. and the one you were mention in ChiangMai is not 3Gnetwork, They the telecommunication company just up-graded Systems that they already have had, which it GSM1800-1900 Networks to pickup a signal 3Gnetwork. so, as for my personal opinion, this is not a 3Gnetwork, only upgraded from one System to pickup another Systems that's all. how do i know? Because i've alway read Asia-week Business magazine. especially BangkokPost. it' all in English. and as for laos, they have the real 3Gnetwork.  Have you seen in the Commercial in the website that  you gave it out, It'said'' 3GSM advance,'' some lao people might not know about what you just told them. But i do. because i've used it myself.

 

TOT : ทีโอทีเตรียมทุ่ม 600 ล้าน ขยายฐานรองรับ 3จี

Anonymous wrote:

---

speak-out wrote:

---

It's Speakout, May i jump in!! if you don't mind,  Let' me correct you Brother about 3Gnetwork in Thailand. at present day, Thailand do not have 3G network yet. and the one you were mention in ChiangMai is not 3Gnetwork, They the telecommunication company just up-graded Systems that they already have had, which it GSM1800-1900 Networks to pickup a signal 3Gnetwork. so, as for my personal opinion, this is not a 3Gnetwork, only upgraded from one System to pickup another Systems that's all. how do i know? Because i've alway read Asia-week Business magazine. especially BangkokPost. it' all in English. and as for laos, they have the real 3Gnetwork.  Have you seen in the Commercial in the website that  you gave it out, It'said'' 3GSM advance,'' some lao people might not know about what you just told them. But i do. because i've used it myself.

 

---

I just love it when a Lao person talk like they know Thailand better than the Thai themselves.

These are in English then you can read them right?

TrueMove 3G
http://www.truemove.com/iphone/eng/index.htm


Get to know 3G +WiFi
http://www.truemove.com/EN/05_service_3g.html

Handsets and Accessories
http://www.truemove.com/EN/05_service_3g_2.html

Service areas
http://www.truemove.com/EN/05_service_3g_3.html

Q&A
http://www.truemove.com/EN/05_service_3g_4.html

 

---

          Wow ! thank you for your compliment



                       
 

         

 

If you can read Thai.

http://www.siamphone.com/news/2008/ais/3gsm/page.htm

BLM wrote:

---

 

Oops! I am sorry but I meant to say, “Laos grow rate is higher than Thailand”
BLM

 

---

 Of course if you only have 10 dollars and then the next year you earn only 1 dollar that is 10%

but if you have 1000 dollar and then the next year you earn another 10 dollars that is just 1% do you know what I mean?

US

GDP (purchasing power parity):
$14.44 trillion (2008 est.)
$14.38 trillion (2007 est.)
$14.09 trillion (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
0.4% (2008 est.)
2.1% (2007 est.)
2.7% (2006 est.)

Thailand

GDP (purchasing power parity):
$548.7 billion (2008 est.)
$534.8 billion (2007 est.)
$509.8 billion (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
2.6% (2008 est.)
4.9% (2007 est.)
5.2% (2006 est.)

Laos

GDP (purchasing power parity):
$14.01 billion (2008 est.)
$13.04 billion (2007 est.)
$12.13 billion (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
7.5% (2008 est.)
7.5% (2007 est.)
8.3% (2006 est.)

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/us.html

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/th.html

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/la.html

The garbage scavenger :

Garbage scavengers at all times of day have become a common sight on the Bangkok streets. They offer a cheap way of recycling garbage, though we do not exactly think the job is something to look forward to.

Anonymous wrote:

---

The garbage scavenger :

Garbage scavengers at all times of day have become a common sight on the Bangkok streets. They offer a cheap way of recycling garbage, though we do not exactly think the job is something to look forward to.

---

             Hey man are you a billionair ? what is wrong to be poor and collecting can for a living ?

            


                           

 

Anonymous wrote:

---

The garbage scavenger :

Garbage scavengers at all times of day have become a common sight on the Bangkok streets. They offer a cheap way of recycling garbage, though we do not exactly think the job is something to look forward to.

---

Don't you know that he is from a neighboring country of Thailand ?

 

1.  What is 3G? 
   3G is the 3rd generation of mobile telephone technology. This advanced digital technology is characterized by high data transmission capabilities. 3G-compatible mobile phones provide faster, more convenient access to Broadband Internet making online activities such as email checking and web browsing far easier and more enjoyable. 3G also opens the door to Internet-based content and services such as video calls and mobile TV.

2.  Is TrueMove’s 3G network in operation? 
   TrueMove is currently operating a 3G service on the 850 MHz frequency on a non-commercial trial basis and is waiting for approval to launch the service on a commercial basis. An auction will also be held by the government in the near future of 3G licenses on the 2.1 GHz frequency. 

3.  What areas does the TrueMove 3G trial phase cover?
   It currently covers Bangkok’s central business districts and certain parts of Cha-Am, Hua Hin, and Phuket.
Below are details of the areas covered:
 Siam Paragon
 Emporium
 Central World
 Ma Boonkrong 
 Siam Center 
 Siam Discovery 
 Kesorn Plaza
 Central Silom
 Big C Rajdamri 
 Fortune Tower (CP2)
 True Tower Ratchadapisek
 CP Tower Silom
 Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani and surrounding areas
 Challenger Hall Muang Thong Thani and surrounding areas
 Thunder Dome Muang Thong Thani and surrounding areas
 Erawan Hotel
 Pathumwan Princess Hotel
 Police General Hospital 
 The Royal Bangkok Sports Club
 Chulalongkorn University and surrounding areas
 Srinakarinwirot University and surrounding areas
 Thai Chamber of Commerce University and surrounding areas
 Assumption University Bangna and surrounding areas
 Assumption University Hua Mak and surrounding areas
 Mahidol University Salaya and surrounding areas
 Rajamangala University (Sathorn)
 Siam Square areas
 Lumpini Park
 Suan Lum Night Bazaar
 Rama I Road from Supachalasai Stadium – Rajprasong Intersection – Ploenjit Road
Wireless Road
 Rajdamri Road from The Royal Bangkok Sports Club – Rajprasong Intersection –
Pratunam Intersection
 Phyatai Road from Chulalongkorn University – Ma Boonkrong Intersection –
Hua Chang Bridge – Petchburi Road
 Rama IV Road from Lumpini Park – Sam Yan Intersection
 Sathorn Road from Lumpini Park – Narathiwas Road
 Silom Road from Saladaeng Intersection – Narathiwas Road
 Surawong Road from Saladaeng Inersection – Narathiwas Road
 Petchburi Road from Bantadthong Road Intersection – Wireless Road
 Yaowaraj Road and surrounding areas (soon)
 Sukhumvit Road from Sukhumvit 1 to Prompong Intersection
 Asoke Road from Sukhumvit Intersection to Rama IX Road and right to Cultural Center Intersection
 Suvarnbhumi International Airport, Samutprakarn
 Phuket International Airport
 Patong Beach, Phuket
 Cha-Am – Hua Hin route from Cha-Am District, Long Beach Hotel Cha-Am until
Hua Hin Blue Wave Beach Resort 
 
 

4.  Will the TrueMove 3G network be expanded further? 
   Certainly! Although the TrueMove 3G network is currently in the trial phase, we have an expansion plan to ensure coverage spans the nation. This plan will be implemented as soon as the 3G license is officially granted.

5.  How can I use TrueMove’s 3G service during the trial phase? 
   If you want to join the TrueMove 3G trial phase, you will need a 3G WCDMA 850 MHz mobile phone. You will also need either a prepaid or postpaid TrueMove SIM card.

6.  How do I know if my phone supports 3G (on 850MHz)? 
   If your phone detects and supports TrueMove’s 3G network, the top line of your mobile phone screen (depending on the model) will show either a 3G sign or the letter “H” (denoting HSDPA or HSUPA). This means that 3G is in operation.

7.  How can I connect to TrueMove’s 3G network if I don’t have a 3G 850 MHz mobile phone? 
   Each 3G-compatible mobile phone supports different types of networks. Not all phones support all frequencies. For example, if you have a 3G 2.1 GHz or 900 MHz mobile phone, you won’t be able to connect to TrueMove’s 3G network because we currently only operate on the 850 MHz frequency. Also, 2G mobile phones cannot connect to any 3G network.
 
    You will therefore need to buy a phone compatible with TrueMove’s 3G network. At True shops you can find the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3G S as well as the BlackBerry Bold 9000 which can be used with TrueMove’s 3G network. Other compatible models can be found at most mobile phone retailers.

8.  What TrueMove 3G-compatible mobile phones are currently available in the Thai market? 
   23* TrueMove 3G-compatible mobile phones from five manufacturers are currently available in Thailand:
 Nokia:
  3120 Classic, 6120 Classic, 6267, 6500 Classic, 6500 slide, 6555, 6600 Slide, 6600 Fold, 5610 Xpress Music, 7900 Prism, E51 

 Sony Ericsson: 
  K850i, W760i, C510, W508, W705, W995, C903, T707

 Apple: 
  iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS 

 BlackBerry:
  iBold 9000 

 HP: 
  HP iPAQ 912

* Availability may vary

9.  Will I still be able to use my phone in areas where there is no 3G coverage?
   Yes. Any phone that can access TrueMove’s 3G network should also be able to access its GSM (2G) network. While in the TrueMove 3G coverage areas, the phone will detect the 3G network and when outside the 3G coverage areas, the device will switch to the 2G network.

10.  How will I be charged for 3G services? 
   During the 3G non-commercial trial phase, Voice, SMS, MMS and Content services used via the 3G network will be charged according to 2G rates. However, there will be no charges for data and Internet access via 3G. Once 3G services have officially launched, there will be charges for all services based on the 3G rate structure.

http://www.truemove.com/EN/05_service_3g_4.html

No wonder why Thai doesn't rush things. I mean who wants to pay the services charge? right now they can use 3G for the price of 2G even though that means slow network expansion but it's good enough for the urban.

THCOM เผยบ.ลูกในลาวเปิดให้บริการ 3G ตั้งเป้าผู้ใช้ถึงปี 52 โต 1 แสนราย
สำนักข่าวอินโฟเควสท์ (IQ) -- จันทร์ที่ 20 ตุลาคม 2008 11:20:03 น.

บริษัท ลาว เทเลคอมมิวนิเคชั่นส จำกัด หรือ ลาว โทรคมนาคม ซึ่ง บมจ.ไทยคม(THCOM) ถือหุ้นใหญ่ ได้เปิดให้บริการ 3G Mobile เป็นรายแรกในลาว ตั้งเป้ายอดผู้ใช้บริการจนถึงสิ้นปี 51 จำนวน 30,000 ราย และคาดเพิ่มเป็น 1 แสนราย ในปี 52

ลาว โทรคมนาคม  ผู้ให้บริการด้านโทรคมนาคมแบบครบวงจรในลาว เปิดตัวการให้บริการเครื่อข่ายมือถือ 3G อย่างเป็นทางการ เมื่อวันที่ 17 ต.ค.สำหรับพื้นที่ให้บริการของเครือข่ายลาวโทรคม 3G ในระยะแรกจะครอบคลุมพื้นที่นครหลวงเวียงจันทน์ทั้งหมด และจะขยายพื้นที่ให้บริการไปยังต่างจังหวัดในต้นปี 52 สำหรับพื้นที่ในต่างจังหวัดปัจจุบัน ลาวโทรคมฯ ให้บริการ EDGE และ GPRS ทั่วประเทศ

ลูกค้ากลุ่มเป้าหมาย 3G ของลาวโทรคมฯ คือ กลุ่มคนวัยหนุ่มสาว คนรุ่นใหม่ และ นักธุรกิจ ที่มีไลฟ์สไตล์ชอบความทันสมัย มีความโดดเด่น มีเอกลักษณ์เฉพาะตัว และต้องการข้อมูลข่าวสาร เพื่อการตัดสินใจที่ถูกต้องและแม่นยำ รวมทั้ง ต้องการติดต่อสื่อสารที่สามารถทำได้ตลอดเวลา

สำหรับระบบโทรศัพท์มือถือ 3G ที่ลาวโทรคมฯ นำมาให้บริการนี้จะช่วยอำนวยความสะดวกในการใช้โทรศัพท์แก่ผู้ใช้บริการ ด้วยเทคโนโลยี่ที่ก้าวล้ำไปอีกขั้นหนึ่ง ในยุคที่การบริโภคข้อมูลข่าวสารของผู้ใช้บริการ มีความต้องการหลากหลาย ทั้งยังสะดวก รวดเร็ว และสามารถใช้งานได้ตลอดเวลาผ่านโทรศัพท์มือถือเพียงเครื่องเดียว

ผู้ใช้บริการสามารถใช้บริการต่างๆ บนเครือข่าย 3G ได้แก่  Voice Call, Video Call, อินเทอร์เน็ต, การดาวน์โหลดข้อมูลมัลติมีเดีย/ เกม JAVA, MMS/SMS,  ดูหนังฟังเพลงแบบ Streaming

Anonymous wrote:

---

 

THCOM เผยบ.ลูกในลาวเปิดให้บริการ 3G ตั้งเป้าผู้ใช้ถึงปี 52 โต 1 แสนราย
สำนักข่าวอินโฟเควสท์ (IQ) -- จันทร์ที่ 20 ตุลาคม 2008 11:20:03 น.

บริษัท ลาว เทเลคอมมิวนิเคชั่นส จำกัด หรือ ลาว โทรคมนาคม ซึ่ง บมจ.ไทยคม(THCOM) ถือหุ้นใหญ่ ได้เปิดให้บริการ 3G Mobile เป็นรายแรกในลาว ตั้งเป้ายอดผู้ใช้บริการจนถึงสิ้นปี 51 จำนวน 30,000 ราย และคาดเพิ่มเป็น 1 แสนราย ในปี 52

ลาว โทรคมนาคม  ผู้ให้บริการด้านโทรคมนาคมแบบครบวงจรในลาว เปิดตัวการให้บริการเครื่อข่ายมือถือ 3G อย่างเป็นทางการ เมื่อวันที่ 17 ต.ค.สำหรับพื้นที่ให้บริการของเครือข่ายลาวโทรคม 3G ในระยะแรกจะครอบคลุมพื้นที่นครหลวงเวียงจันทน์ทั้งหมด และจะขยายพื้นที่ให้บริการไปยังต่างจังหวัดในต้นปี 52 สำหรับพื้นที่ในต่างจังหวัดปัจจุบัน ลาวโทรคมฯ ให้บริการ EDGE และ GPRS ทั่วประเทศ

ลูกค้ากลุ่มเป้าหมาย 3G ของลาวโทรคมฯ คือ กลุ่มคนวัยหนุ่มสาว คนรุ่นใหม่ และ นักธุรกิจ ที่มีไลฟ์สไตล์ชอบความทันสมัย มีความโดดเด่น มีเอกลักษณ์เฉพาะตัว และต้องการข้อมูลข่าวสาร เพื่อการตัดสินใจที่ถูกต้องและแม่นยำ รวมทั้ง ต้องการติดต่อสื่อสารที่สามารถทำได้ตลอดเวลา

สำหรับระบบโทรศัพท์มือถือ 3G ที่ลาวโทรคมฯ นำมาให้บริการนี้จะช่วยอำนวยความสะดวกในการใช้โทรศัพท์แก่ผู้ใช้บริการ ด้วยเทคโนโลยี่ที่ก้าวล้ำไปอีกขั้นหนึ่ง ในยุคที่การบริโภคข้อมูลข่าวสารของผู้ใช้บริการ มีความต้องการหลากหลาย ทั้งยังสะดวก รวดเร็ว และสามารถใช้งานได้ตลอดเวลาผ่านโทรศัพท์มือถือเพียงเครื่องเดียว

ผู้ใช้บริการสามารถใช้บริการต่างๆ บนเครือข่าย 3G ได้แก่  Voice Call, Video Call, อินเทอร์เน็ต, การดาวน์โหลดข้อมูลมัลติมีเดีย/ เกม JAVA, MMS/SMS,  ดูหนังฟังเพลงแบบ Streaming

---

ໂພສດອວດຄວາມເກັ່ງຫາຫຍັງອັນນີ້ກະດີ, 3Gຈະແມ່ນຂອງໃຜມັນບໍ່ແມ່ນປະເດັນ,ແຕ່ປະເດັນກະຄື
ເຂົາໄປຕັ້ງຢູ່ລາວ,ລາວເຂົາມີປັນຍາຊື້ບໍລິການໄປໃຊ້.

 

           I went to Laos more than ten times. If Laos wants to develop country by sustainable development country the government should be more invest on the education to all Laos citizen, (primary school in the village secondary school in the district, every city should have Technical College, Commerce College, etc, the main city like a Luang prabang, Sawannakhet, Paksae, should have the university by serveral subject to Laos citizens at least master degree level. Vientience the capital city should have at lease 3 universityes not only Dongdok currently).
          Please don't think about dam increasing, model buiding or battery of Asean that will destroy your resourse.
          The population income of Laos less than Thai people more 10 times, the education will sustainable increase Laos population income.
          GDP of Laos country will be increase.
          Believe me...........
          

Anonymous wrote:

---

Crazy man wrote:

---

I went to Laos more than ten times. If Laos wants to develop country by sustainable development country the government should be more invest on the education to all Laos citizen, (primary school in the village secondary school in the district, every city should have Technical College, Commerce College, etc, the main city like a Luang prabang, Sawannakhet, Paksae, should have the university by serveral subject to Laos citizens at least master degree level. Vientience the capital city should have at lease 3 universityes not only Dongdok currently).
Please don't think about dam increasing, model buiding or battery of Asean that will destroy your resourse.
The population income of Laos less than Thai people more 10 times, the education will sustainable increase Laos population income.
GDP of Laos country will be increase.
Believe me...........

---

We don't have Technical college,commerce college,etc...,like you said in Laos we don't have at least 3 universities like you said  only dongdok university we has,but did you know Lao student they go to university other countries,like USA ,Russia ,Malaysia,Vietnam,china Germany,french,Australia  etc  ,what's wrong with that,look back at thailand about 30 years ago is not like a like now,wait to see Lao about 10 to 20 from now Lao will be change too, this is new generation people have educated is not like old generation about 200 or 300 years,now people smart they are not stupid any more . 

 

---

         Time will tell ......no need to show off....peace...

 

Anonymous wrote:

---

Anonymous wrote:

---

 

Anonymous wrote:

---

 

Crazy man wrote:

---

I went to Laos more than ten times. If Laos wants to develop country by sustainable development country the government should be more invest on the education to all Laos citizen, (primary school in the village secondary school in the district, every city should have Technical College, Commerce College, etc, the main city like a Luang prabang, Sawannakhet, Paksae, should have the university by serveral subject to Laos citizens at least master degree level. Vientience the capital city should have at lease 3 universityes not only Dongdok currently).
Please don't think about dam increasing, model buiding or battery of Asean that will destroy your resourse.
The population income of Laos less than Thai people more 10 times, the education will sustainable increase Laos population income.
GDP of Laos country will be increase.
Believe me...........

---

We don't have Technical college,commerce college,etc...,like you said in Laos we don't have at least 3 universities like you said  only dongdok university we has,but did you know Lao student they go to university other countries,like USA ,Russia ,Malaysia,Vietnam,china Germany,french,Australia  etc  ,what's wrong with that,look back at thailand about 30 years ago is not like a like now,wait to see Lao about 10 to 20 from now Lao will be change too, this is new generation people have educated is not like old generation about 200 or 300 years,now people smart they are not stupid any more . 

 

---

Time will tell ......no need to show off....peace...

 

 

---

Somchai Jitsuchon, research director for macroeconomic development and income distribution at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), said that overall poverty in Thailand has worsened since 2008, in the wake of increased oil and food prices.

 

LIVING TOGETHER: Wiphaphak Phengthanongand and her family of 10 live in two tiny bedrooms and a living room.

He said the number of poor increased from 5.4 million in 2007 to 5.7 million in 2008, 11.4% of the total population, 5.2 million in rural areas and 570,000 in towns and cities.

The poor, according to the TDRI's definition, are people who earn between 1,749 and 1,800 baht per month.

"The number of poor increased particularly in the first half of 2008. But the increase was not substantial. I am more concerned for the figures for this year, the first quarter in particular, because unemployment has already risen," Dr Somchai said.

That the informal workers are not covered by the existing pension fund system, nor entitled to unemployment or health benefits, was a factor in high poverty rates in Thailand.

According to the National Statistics Office, six out of 10 of the labour force are informal workers. The term defines workers more than 15 years old and not covered by the Social Security Office, including part-time or sub-contracted workers, farmers,

 

---

           I could not see Ok  Ok   May be  you are right  big deal  try to make a monkey out of me ape .