Bangkok Post Arnat Leemakdej Column.

Byline: Arnat Leemakdej

Sep. 7--Recognising new financial market conditions arising from e-commerce as we discussed last week, the Bank of Thailand has begun a research project called Payment Strategic Direction, to formulate a policy for payments in the new economy.

Thammasat University is advising on the project which is due to be finished in November.

The research team, led by Saowanee Suwancheep, senior director of the central bank's payment system group, has held seminars entitled "How to Pay Effectively in the e-Era", in Khon Kaen, Chiang Mai, and Songkhla.

Participants were introduced to the new payment systems offered by the Bank of Thailand and financial institutions. Recent e-commerce developments in Thailand were outlined as well. The seminar was partly sponsored by the E-Commerce Resource Centre (www.ecommerce.or.th).

The research team has had good co-operation with three major commercial banks heavily involved in e-services: Siam Commercial Bank, Thai Farmers Bank and Bank of Asia.

Selected executives of these banks travel with the researchers to stage seminars and educate audiences on the new means of conducting banking transactions at home via the Internet.