By Graham K. Rogers

Some while ago, Microsoft released versions of its Office apps in a number of countries, but not in Thailand. Not that I am a user of Microsoft products - this is a Redmond-free zone (and Adobe too these days) - but I am aware that there are many users in the country who do use the Office components and who also use iPads. Bad luck.

I followed up with Waggener Edstrom Communications who deal with Microsoft publicity questions and in May last year was sent this response:

A Microsoft spokesperson said:

Currently we do not have plans to release Office for iPad in additional languages. However, as we develop plans for future updates, we will consider expanding our market coverage in addition to weighing customer input regarding additional features and enhancements. An Office 365 subscription is required to experience the full capabilities of Office for iPad and we currently do not offer Office 365 consumer subscriptions in Japan.

We are committed to launching consumer subscriptions of Office 365 in Japan by the end of 2014.

This week I see that there is now a version of Office for Android, and according to a local user, this is available in Thailand. This morning, a slight crack appeared in the Great Microsoft Wall here and Outlook for iOS was shown as available.

Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand where he is also Assistant Dean. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs. He is now continuing that in the Bangkok Post supplement, Life.