Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha is encouraging all Thais, including those who have currently modified engines for illegal road racers, to become innovative.
“We should engage people of all levels in research and development efforts,” Prayut said yesterday during the inauguration of an innovation fair in Bangkok.
He said some people had successfully modified engines to increase vehicle speed – but for illegal road racers.
“We should bring such people to the legal path. They have skills. Why don’t we guide them towards using their talents for legal activities instead?” Prayut suggested.
He said this approach should also be applied to other situations. For example, the Royal Thai Army’s Ordnance Department might consider recruiting illegal gun manufacturers to relevant and legitimate positions at its facilities. “If they have good skills with gun making, they may work well for authorities in the legal line of gun manufacturing,” he added.
Prayut said instead of arresting creative people on the wrong side of the law, it might be better to spur them into working for the country.
He emphasised that the very first prerequisite to innovation is to develop the people’s mindset.
“If we all pay attention to R&D , we will find solutions to increase income and more,” he said.
Prayut said Thai inventors, for example, might think of how to combine electric appliances to increase functionality and convenience.
“Check if there is a practical way to combine a fridge with an electric rice cooker.Or probably we may combine a fridge with an electric water heater,” he said.
Prayut also witnessed the signing of cooperation contracts between universities and companies interested in 12 technological innovations.
Under the contracts, the promising innovations will be developed further to increase commercial value.
He could be on to something here, the possibilities could be endless. Turning illegal activities into state run ventures ! I’m sure we could all amuse ourselves by coming up with our own ideas !
(Source:-The Nation, Thailand)