This study explored the influences of social, economic and political factors of Internet use in eight rural and urban schools in southern Thailand.  The results of interviews and questionnaires indicated that most respondents in both rural and urban schools perceived IT as a beneficial medium for education and for daily life.  However, most teachers lacked understanding and proficiency to use and apply IT in their teaching. 

Workloads, age and time constraints were highly related to the lack of IT proficiency in teachers and consequently limited IT manpower in schools.  Most schools, especially rural ones, faced computer and IT budget constraints, low capacity equipment and inconvenient Internet connections.  Most rural schools experienced unstable telephone signals leading to Internet connection difficulties. 

Finally, it was recommended that similar studies be undertaken in other parts of the country, and that further in-depth study of social factors influencing IT use for education be conducted.  Recommendations were also made for applying adult learning approaches in providing IT skill and knowledge to teachers, for using school-based needs assessment for IT provision in schools, and for facilitating collaboration among different parties in promoting IT use.