Challenges in Globalizing M-Community Application: A Case of Extending it to a Fishing Community in Thailand

Introducing computer applications for the purpose of delivering fast and accurate information using mobile devices has become a growing trend in many areas. This paper presents an application called M-Community which was initially introduced in Malaysia for the paddy farming community. The application features an inexpensive and speedier way of disseminating information using mobile technology through SMS(Short Messaging Service). It is now extended to a fishing community in Suratthani, Thailand with the aim of assisting the fishermen in making decisions in their daily activities in order to improve the quality of life through productive aquaculture and continuous local ecosystem conservation. The ultimate goal is to establish links and increase participations among the fishing communities, fishing related companies and relevant authorities around the region. In this paper, we discuss the challenges in implementating the extension which were brought about primarily by the use of a different language script which is Thai and different categorization of messages to fishin