INVESTORS WILL GO ELSEWHERE

Re: “Govt to lure US tech firms”, (BP, July 3).

The idea of developing a “Silicon Valley-like” technology centre in Thailand is not a bad idea, but the country needs to consider how realistic is it to attract foreign investment for such a venture.

Thailand is not particularly well known for producing large numbers of high-tech engineers or software developers.

The country has a few universities famous for technological innovation and research, but it lacks a critical mass in this aspect.

English is not as prevalent as in India, the Philippines, Malaysia and other countries competing for hightech industry.

Labour costs are higher than in Vietnam or the Philippines. All in all, Thailand has serious challenges ahead if it truly wants to compete for jobs and investment in the high-tech sector.

Samanea Saman