Budding computer science students have since last year been able to look at, touch and imagine the possibilities of using the 25 donated computers waiting to be hooked up to a broadband Internet connection.

But imagine is all they can do.

The problem is that the village's solitary solar cell produces only enough electricity to power two fluorescent light-bulbs and a TV set in each house, while the computers sit gathering dust.

Sri-neru School in Chang Kean Village, which is on Doi Pui - the highest peak in the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park - was given five computers by the government with another 20 machines donated by a cultural organisation, said school director Sompong Wichaising.

But since then the 164 students, who are mostly hilltribe children, have been unable to use them as the village still depends on solar power, which produces insufficient amounts of electricity to power the PCs.

"If we want to use a computer we need a gasoline-powered generator, which costs as much as Bt2,000 to Bt3,000 a month for the fuel. But we can't afford that," said Sompong.

Sompong said Wat Phra That Doi Suthep used to donate money to support the cost of fuel for the school, but currently the temple only has a small amount of donations due to the decreasing number of tourist visitors.

"All we can do now is wait for the day when a power supply reaches our village," he said.

"We have many educational projects that need electricity."

Aran Yangyuenkul, a school alumnus, said it's sad and ironic that the students can only see and touch these useful hi-tech devices, but can't even switch them on.